A helicopter operated by Trans Bharat Aviation crashed near Joshimath in India’s Uttarakhand state on Friday while returning from Badrinath Dham to Dehradun, following a reported loss of communication in adverse weather conditions. The helicopter was carrying six people, including five pilgrims and one pilot, when it lost contact while flying over the Joshimath valley.
Search and rescue operations were launched soon after the incident, with teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), police, and district administration mobilised to locate the aircraft and assist those on board. The incident has raised fresh concerns about helicopter operations in the Himalayan region, particularly duringunfavourable weather. Authorities have also suspended heli services in the area for Saturday as a precautionary measure.
Helicopter Loses Contact Near Joshimath
According to reports from Indian media, the helicopter operated by Trans Bharat Aviation Private Limited was flying from Badrinath to Sahastradhara in Dehradun. The aircraft, bearing call sign VT-HCX, reportedly took off at around 1:14 pm on Friday, according to the Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority.
While flying over the Joshimath valley, the heli lost communication with ground authorities, and the tracking system could no longer locate it. Chamoli district disaster management officer Nand Kishore Joshi said the aircraft had gone missing near Chai village in the Marwari area under Jyotirmath, close to Joshimath.
Rescue Teams Deployed to Locate the Aircraft
Following reports of the missing heli, teams from the State Disaster Response Force, police, and district administration were deployed to the area. Rescue personnel began moving towards the mountainous location as search operations were intensified. Local residents reportedly informed authorities that an unidentified white object was burning in a forest area above the JP Dam.
Other helicopters were sent to the area to investigate the information and assist in locating the missing aircraft. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said he was closely monitoring the rescue efforts being carried out jointly by the district administration, disaster management authorities and SDRF.
Helicopter Services Suspended Following Incident
Adverse weather conditions have been identified as a possible cause of the incident, although the exact circumstances had not been established in the information available at the time of reporting. The loss of communication and tracking signals prompted an emergency response in the mountainous region.
As a precaution, heli services in the area have been suspended for Saturday. The suspension is expected to affect helicopter operations serving the region, including flights associated with religious tourism and pilgrimage travel to Badrinath. The incident highlights the importance of weather assessment and safety measures for helicopter services operating in the challenging terrain of the Himalayan region.
