A defective helicopter being airlifted from Kedarnath to Gauchar by an MI-17 chopper fell from mid-air this morning after its towing rope snapped. The incident occurred near the Mandakini River in Lincholi. According to officials, no injuries were reported, and the accident was captured on camera. The helicopter, which was operated by a private company, had been making an emergency landing near the Kedarnath helipad in May due to technical issues.
Details Of The Incident
The MI-17 helicopter was transporting a defective private helicopter to the Gauchar airstrip for repairs when the mishap occurred. The MI-17 began to lose balance because of the helicopter’s weight and strong winds, leading to the tow rope breaking. The private helicopter was then dropped near the Tharu camp. An official explained that the chopper was intended to be taken to Gauchar for necessary repairs. The rescue team arrived at the scene shortly after the accident.
Background Of The Helicopter In Kedarnath
The private helicopter involved in the incident had previously been used for ferrying passengers to the Kedarnath temple. The aircraft had made an emergency landing near Kedarnath in May due to technical faults. At that time, it had been used to transport pilgrims to the Himalayan temple as part of the Chardham Yatra.
VIDEO | Uttarakhand: A defective helicopter, which was being air lifted from #Kedarnath by another chopper, accidentally fell from mid-air as the towing rope snapped, earlier today.#UttarakhandNews
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— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) August 31, 2024
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Impact Of Recent Weather Conditions
Since July 31, the number of pilgrims visiting Kedarnath has sharply declined due to heavy rain that damaged the trek route. Rain-induced landslides between Gaurikund and Kedarnath left many stranded, prompting a large-scale rescue operation. The Air Force, along with private helicopters, had been assisting in evacuations and transporting people to the temple.
Chardham Yatra Overview
The Chardham Yatra, which began on May 10 this year, saw the opening of Kedarnath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri temples for pilgrims. The Badrinath temple opened its portals on May 12. Despite the disruptions caused by recent weather conditions, over 33 lakh pilgrims have visited the Himalayan temples so far.
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