Nepali army airlifts 2,500 flood survivors amid monsoon disaster

The Nepali army is using helicopters to rescue flood survivors as roads are rendered impassable by the deadly monsoon floods that have swept the country since early June. France 24 reports that army aircraft are lifting people from isolated villages and transporting them to safer areas and hospitals, while the sky remains overcast and more rain is expected in the coming hours. Over 1,400 people have died and more than 100,000 residents have been displaced, making the operation a critical part of the emergency response.

The floods hit Nepal at the height of the monsoon season, when the Himalayas and the lower plains receive the heaviest rainfall on record. Heavy rains, combined with rapid snowmelt and widespread deforestation, turned rivers into raging torrents that breached dykes and washed away bridges. The country’s road network, already fragile, collapsed in several districts, cutting off ground access to remote communities. The army, which has long been involved in disaster relief, stepped in because its fleet of Mi‑17 and Mi‑8 helicopters can reach places that trucks cannot. This is the first time the army has deployed a large number of rotary‑wing aircraft for a single disaster in recent memory.

In the past 48 hours the helicopters have flown more than 300 sorties, evacuating around 2,500 people and delivering medical supplies, food and blankets to the hardest‑hit villages. Local officials praised the speed and precision of the airlift, noting that it saved lives that would have otherwise been lost to landslides or drowning. International agencies such as the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs have also highlighted the army’s role as a “lifeline” in the crisis. However, the continued rain threatens to worsen the situation, and the army is on standby to conduct further rescues as new hazards emerge.

Going forward, the government plans to reopen damaged roads and bridges within the next two weeks, but the focus remains on stabilising the affected regions. The army will keep operating its helicopters until ground routes are safe, while relief agencies coordinate with local authorities to distribute aid and assess damage. The floods have reignited calls for stronger climate‑resilience measures, with experts warning that future monsoon seasons could bring even more devastating rainfall. As Nepal rebuilds, the experience of this emergency underscores the need for better infrastructure, early warning systems and a coordinated national response to climate‑driven disasters.