World · India Bureau
Helicopter goes missing near Joshimath in Uttarakhand; search underway
A helicopter returning from the Badrinath pilgrimage site in Uttarakhand's Chamoli district has gone missing, with its location signal suddenly ceasing. Rescue teams have launched search operations despite challenging weather conditions in the region.
LSN India ·
Authorities in Uttarakhand have initiated search and rescue operations after a helicopter traveling from the Badrinath shrine in Chamoli district lost contact on Wednesday. The aircraft's location tracking system ceased transmitting signals unexpectedly, triggering immediate concern among district administration and disaster management officials.
The helicopter was in transit from the sacred Badrinath pilgrimage site when contact was lost. Joshimath, a town in the Chamoli district located at high altitude in the Garhwal Himalayas, serves as a key hub for helicopter operations serving pilgrims visiting the Char Dham religious circuit.
Search and rescue teams comprising members of the state disaster management authority and local administrative personnel have been mobilized to locate the aircraft. The operation faces significant challenges due to inclement weather conditions affecting the mountainous region, which has hindered aerial surveys and ground-based search efforts.
Official details regarding the number of persons on board and the helicopter's operator were not immediately available. Authorities have not yet released additional information about the circumstances surrounding the loss of contact or the status of ongoing rescue efforts.