Nepal’s helicopter operators have been placed on standby for possible rescue and emergency operations as meteorologists forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall across the country over the coming days.

The Air Service Operators Association of Nepal (AOAN) issued a circular to member helicopter companies on September 23, asking them to maintain readiness for rescue operations if floods, landslides or other weather-related emergencies occur.

Heavy rain expected from Thursday

The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology has warned of potentially heavy to very heavy rainfall across Nepal over a five-day period beginning Thursday.

According to the Kathmandu Post report, a low-pressure system developing over the Bay of Bengal could bring significant rainfall to Nepal from September 24 to 28. The heaviest rainfall is expected in parts of western and central Nepal.

The weather system could also bring thunderstorms, lightning and strong winds, with Gandaki and Lumbini provinces specifically highlighted in the aviation-related warning.

The meteorological department's current monitoring system is also tracking rainfall and hydrological conditions across the country. Its rainfall warning information notes that intense short-duration rainfall can increase the risk of landslides in steep terrain and high flows in local waterways.

33 helicopters available through operators

The association has nine member helicopter companies, while Simrik Air was also included in the standby circular. According to the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal, the operators covered by the arrangements have a combined fleet of 33 helicopters.

The companies named by the association include Air Dynasty, Heli Services, Altitude Air, Fishtail Air, Heli Everest, Kailash Helicopter, Basecamp Air, Mustang Helicopter and Prabhu Helicopters. Annapurna Helicopter and Mountain Helicopters are not members of the association.

The standby arrangement is intended to ensure aircraft can be mobilised quickly if communities become inaccessible because of flooding, landslides or damage to roads and bridges.

Airlines urged to exercise caution

The association has also asked passenger airlines to exercise increased caution while operating flights during the period of adverse weather.

Buddha Air, Yeti Airlines, Shree Airlines, Tara Air, Summit Air and Sita Air were specifically mentioned in the warning. The forecast of thunderstorms, lightning and strong winds could create additional operational challenges for aviation.

Preparedness comes after a devastating flood

The new alert comes less than a month after the catastrophic August 26 disaster in the Bhotekoshi corridor. The glacial-collapse-triggered flood caused extensive loss of life and damaged roads, bridges, settlements and hydropower infrastructure.

The possibility of another period of intense rainfall has therefore increased concern over ongoing rescue, recovery and reconstruction activities in affected areas. The Kathmandu Post has reported that authorities are simultaneously preparing for additional flood and landslide risks.

The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology maintains real-time rainfall and river-flow monitoring and provides weather and flood early-warning services. It also operates a toll-free emergency information service, with 1155 available for weather forecasting and flood early-warning information.

Authorities urged to remain alert

The forecast does not mean that every part of Nepal will experience extreme rainfall throughout the period. The location and intensity of the heaviest precipitation can vary as weather systems develop.

However, the combination of saturated or unstable terrain, damaged infrastructure and ongoing recovery operations makes preparedness particularly important.

Keeping helicopters ready, monitoring rivers and rainfall, exercising caution in aviation operations and maintaining emergency response capacity are among the measures being taken as Nepal prepares for the latest spell of adverse weather.