THE APEX TIMES
Helicopter pilot describes rescue work during Nepal flooding, charter pilot Andy Thapa says he has been moving stranded people to safety
In an interview published Aug. 27, Nepal helicopter charter and rescue pilot Andy Thapa described what he saw while flying during catastrophic flooding, including carrying people who were stranded by high water and washed-out access routes.
A Nepali helicopter charter and rescue pilot, Andy Thapa, described the conditions he encountered while flying missions to rescue people stranded by catastrophic flooding in Nepal, according to an NPR World report published Aug. 27, 2026.
Thapa, who works as a charter and rescue pilot for a Nepali helicopter company, said he has been conducting rescue flights as severe flooding cut off communities and left residents unable to reach higher ground or regular transport routes, turning aircraft into a critical lifeline.
In his account, Thapa focused on the practical realities of aerial rescues during the emergency, including locating people where land access had become impossible, responding to urgent calls for evacuation, and using helicopter capacity to transport individuals to safety rather than returning them to hazardous areas.
The report characterizes Thapa’s work as part of a broader surge in emergency rescue activity during the flood crisis, with helicopters providing access where roads and bridges were disrupted. Thapa said the missions involved moving people out of danger and into locations where they could receive help.
Thapa also described what he saw from the air during flights, emphasizing how flooding can isolate people quickly and how the timing of rescue efforts can affect outcomes for families and other groups depending on where they were stranded.
While the NPR report centers on Thapa’s experiences as a pilot, it also underscores the broader public-safety stakes of rescue operations during natural disasters, including the need for trained crews, functioning aircraft, and coordination to get people out of flooded areas and into systems that can provide shelter and medical support.
As Nepal continues to respond to the flood emergency, rescue aviation accounts like Thapa’s illustrate the operational demands and urgency of disaster response, even as authorities assess damage, prioritize additional evacuations, and work to restore access for affected communities.
Why It Matters
- Helicopter rescues can be decisive during flooding when roads and bridges are disrupted and people cannot self-evacuate.
- Accounts from pilots highlight the operational urgency and hazards involved in disaster response, especially during rapidly changing conditions.
- The report underscores the importance of maintaining trained rescue capacity and coordination to protect families during emergencies.
- Aerial evacuation efforts can reduce the time people spend isolated in unsafe areas, affecting access to shelter and medical support.
- Public documentation of rescue work can help authorities and communities understand how disaster response capacity is being used and where additional help may be needed.
Key Facts
- Andy Thapa is a helicopter charter and rescue pilot working for a Nepali helicopter company.
- An NPR World report published Aug. 27, 2026, profiles Thapa’s account of what he has seen during flood-related rescue missions.
- Thapa said he has been rescuing people who were stranded because of catastrophic flooding in Nepal.
- The report describes aerial evacuation as a way to move stranded people to safety when land access is disrupted.
- Thapa’s remarks focus on the on-the-ground realities of aerial rescue work during an ongoing emergency.