The Crossbill News Desk
A faulty helicopter being transported for repair by the Indian Air Force crashed in Kedarnath, Uttarakhand on Saturday (August 31). The helicopter was being airlifted to the Gauchar airstrip with the assistance of an Indian Air Force MI-17 helicopter.
However, due to the weight of the faulty helicopter, the MI-17 lost balance and the pilot had to drop it in an open space within the valley.
"Today, the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) rescue team received information through police in Lincholi that a faulty helicopter of a private company, which was being towed by another helicopter from Shri Kedarnath helipad to Gochar helipad, fell into the river at Lincholi near Tharu Camp. The SDRF team has reached the spot and relief work is going on. There has been no loss of life in this incident. Search is being conducted by the SDRF team." the news agency ANI quoted an official as saying.
Since July 31, there has been a significant decrease in the number of pilgrims visiting Kedarnath due to extensive damage caused by heavy rains to the trek route leading to the Himalayan temple.
Rain-induced landslides along the path from Gaurikund to Kedarnath have left thousands stranded, prompting a large-scale rescue operation. This effort has involved the Air Force’s Chinook and MI-17 helicopters, as well as private choppers.
Although the trek route had largely remained closed in August, pilgrims continued to reach the temple via helicopters.
The Chardham Yatra for this year commenced on May 10 with the opening of the Kedarnath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri temples. The portals of Badrinath were opened on May 12.
However, due to the weight of the faulty helicopter, the MI-17 lost balance and the pilot had to drop it in an open space within the valley.
"Today, the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) rescue team received information through police in Lincholi that a faulty helicopter of a private company, which was being towed by another helicopter from Shri Kedarnath helipad to Gochar helipad, fell into the river at Lincholi near Tharu Camp. The SDRF team has reached the spot and relief work is going on. There has been no loss of life in this incident. Search is being conducted by the SDRF team." the news agency ANI quoted an official as saying.
Since July 31, there has been a significant decrease in the number of pilgrims visiting Kedarnath due to extensive damage caused by heavy rains to the trek route leading to the Himalayan temple.
Rain-induced landslides along the path from Gaurikund to Kedarnath have left thousands stranded, prompting a large-scale rescue operation. This effort has involved the Air Force’s Chinook and MI-17 helicopters, as well as private choppers.
Although the trek route had largely remained closed in August, pilgrims continued to reach the temple via helicopters.
The Chardham Yatra for this year commenced on May 10 with the opening of the Kedarnath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri temples. The portals of Badrinath were opened on May 12.
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