This morning, an Indian Air Force MI-17 helicopter transporting a private helicopter from Kedarnath to Gauchar in Uttarakhand crashed near the Mandakini River in Lincholi.
Fortunately, no injuries were reported. The MI-17 lost balance due to the helicopter’s weight and strong winds, leading the pilot to drop the helicopter in a vacant area near Tharu camp.
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The helicopter, which had previously made an emergency landing near the Kedarnath helipad in May due to technical problems, was being transported for repairs.
There were no passengers or cargo onboard during the crash, and a rescue team was quickly dispatched to the site.
Since July 31, pilgrimage to Kedarnath has significantly decreased due to heavy rains and landslides affecting the trek route. Despite the suspension of the trek route in August, pilgrims have continued to reach the temple via helicopter.
The Chardham Yatra, which began on May 10, has seen over 3.3 million visitors to the Himalayan temples so far.
