Helicopter With 6 on Board Crashes Near Joshimath in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli

A helicopter carrying six people, five passengers and a pilot, has crashed in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district on a flight from Badrinath to Dehradun.

The helicopter, reportedly operated by a company named Charlie X-Ray, lost contact near Hathi Parvat, also known as Hathi Pahad, close to Joshimath.

CM DHAMI CONFIRMS CRASH

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has confirmed that the helicopter has crashed.

"We have received the unfortunate news of a helicopter crash near the Chaien village, close to Joshimath. A joint rescue operation is being conducted by the district administration, disaster management department, and SDRF," he wrote on X.

"Instructions have been given to immediately airlift the seriously injured to higher centers for better treatment. I pray to God for the safe return of the passengers," Dhami added.

BAD WEATHER ACROSS THE STATE

The incident comes amid adverse weather in Uttarakhand, with rain and snow reported in several parts of the state. Kedarnath Dham saw the season’s first heavy snowfall after continuous snowfall since Thursday, October 29. The surrounding hills were covered in thick snow, and temperatures in the area dropped sharply.

Dr CS Tomar, Director of the Meteorological Centre in Dehradun, told ANI that rainfall is expected to continue over the next few days, particularly in the hill districts, with light to moderate showers in several places. Heavy rain was recorded at eight to nine places across the state on October 29, especially in Uttarkashi, Tehri and Haridwar, and similar conditions were expected on Friday, with a higher chance of rain in the Kumaon region.

“Tomorrow, on the 31st, chances of light to very light rain will persist, especially in the hilly districts,” Tomar said. On November 1 and 2, he added, light to very light rain may fall at isolated places, particularly in the northern hill districts.

ADMINISTRATION ON ALERT

District administrations have been put on alert to keep pilgrims and commuters safe. On Thursday, District Magistrate Prashant Arya ordered the District Emergency Operations Centre to be activated in alert mode to monitor the weather and oversee precautions. Authorities are also watching road conditions and the Gangotri and Yamunotri shrines through live CCTV cameras. The administration has asked devotees and pilgrims to take precautions against the cold and follow advisories from the administration and police.

With inputs from ANI