In a dramatic rescue operation, four individuals including two paragliding pilots were safely rescued after falling into Phewa Lake in Pokhara Metropolitan City-18 during a paragliding landing mishap earlier today.
Paragliders Plunge into Lake During Landing Attempt
The incident occurred when two paragliders, carrying passengers, lost control during the landing phase and plunged into the lake. According to Superintendent of Police Surya Prasad Timilsena of the Armed Police Force (APF) No. 24 Battalion in Kaski, the paragliders encountered difficulty while descending, resulting in all four individuals falling into the water.
Prompt Rescue by Armed Police Force Disaster Team
A disaster management team from the APF, stationed at the Phewa Rescue Tower, responded swiftly to the emergency. Their timely intervention ensured the safe rescue of all four individuals from the lake without any serious injuries. The APF team is specially trained for emergency situations in and around Pokhara’s popular tourist zones, including aerial and water-related incidents.
Identities of the Rescued
The paragliding pilots have been identified as Milan Shah and Bishwas Adhikari, both experienced flyers affiliated with local paragliding companies. Shah is a pilot for Agni Paragliding, while Adhikari works with Happy Fly Paragliding, two well-known paragliding service providers operating in the Pokhara Valley.
The two passenger paragliders have been identified as Akalesh Yadav and Chandan Kumar Patel, both hailing from Banaras, India. The duo was enjoying a tandem paragliding experience, which is popular among domestic and international tourists visiting Pokhara.
Investigation Underway
While no one was injured in the accident, the incident has raised safety concerns regarding paragliding operations in the area. Authorities have launched a preliminary investigation to determine the cause of the loss of control during landing. Early indications suggest that weather conditions were stable, pointing to a possible technical fault or miscalculation during descent.
Officials from the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) and local tourism operators are expected to review the incident and assess whether any additional safety measures need to be reinforced in paragliding protocols.
Growing Concerns Over Adventure Tourism Safety
Pokhara is one of Nepal’s top destinations for adventure tourism, with paragliding over Phewa Lake and the Annapurna range being a major attraction. However, incidents such as today’s have brought renewed focus on safety procedures, pilot training, and emergency preparedness.
This is not the first time paragliders have faced challenges during landing in the area. Although most flights proceed without issue, occasional accidents have sparked public concern and calls for stricter safety regulations.
Thanks to the prompt action of the Armed Police Force’s disaster response team, what could have turned into a tragic incident ended safely. The rescued individuals are reportedly in stable condition, and local authorities are taking further steps to ensure such accidents are minimized in the future.
As adventure tourism continues to grow in Pokhara, today’s event serves as a reminder of the importance of rigorous safety measures and rapid response capabilities in high-risk recreational activities.
