Felt like flying coffin: Eyewitnesses recall chaos before Kedarnath chopper crash
Prashant Patil, Rahul Kirad, Dr Meghna Sharma (a travel blogger), Aastha, and Asmita - who were among those scheduled to fly to Kedarnath on June 14 - shared their harrowing experience. They said their flight from the Sahastradhara helipad was scheduled for 7 am but was repeatedly delayed due to "technical issues" and eventually cancelled.The passengers were asked to stay back in Guptkashi and return at 4:20 am the next day. However, the helicopter they were supposed to board never arrived. Initially, it was claimed the helicopter had made an emergency landing, but no clear information followed.advertisementAccording to the passengers, seven individuals were being flown in each helicopter without any clear communication or proper technical support. They described the ground staff as unprofessional and indifferent, alleging that there were no proper safety briefings, no structured coordination, and frequent in-flight turbulence. Some said that travelling by helicopter now felt like boarding a "flying coffin".One of the passengers recounted how their fellow pilgrims, who took off in another helicopter to Kedarnath, were later confirmed to have been aboard the ill-fated craft that crashed. The group was shaken upon hearing the news and considered themselves fortunate to have narrowly escaped.Eyewitness accounts also suggest a complete breakdown in safety protocols, including poor air traffic control coordination and inadequate pre-flight checks. The lack of timely communication and the disregard for weather conditions have sparked fears that more such incidents could occur unless immediate reforms are implemented.As outrage grows, families of the victims and recent passengers are demanding a thorough investigation and a complete overhaul of helicopter operations in the pilgrimage zone. The recurring pattern of crashes, delays, and disorganisation has raised alarming questions about the functioning of private aviation services during the Yatra season.Must Watch
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Time of India
11 hours ago
- Time of India
Kedarnath Yatra halted for 3 days amid heavy rainfall alert in Uttarakhand; alert issued for multiple districts and states
The Kedarnath Yatra in Uttarakhand has been temporarily suspended for three days following a red alert issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicting heavy rainfall across the region, as per the ANI reports. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now As per the predictions by the IMD, heavy rain warning will remain in place for August 12, 13, and 14, with significant downpours expected in Rudraprayag district and other parts of the state. More than 23 roads, including four key routes, have been shut in Uttarakhand's Pithoragarh district following landslides, report added. District Magistrate Prateek Jain confirmed that the administration has been placed on high alert and extensive security arrangements are in place to ensure the safety of both pilgrims and residents. 'As per the predictions by the IMD, red and orange alerts have been predicted in Rudraprayag and other districts of the state. The administration has been put on alert and security arrangements have also been made,' he said in a video statement. Jain appealed to residents living near water bodies to move to safer locations, adding that river water levels are being closely monitored. 'We are keeping a check on the rising water levels of the river here. We also appeal to residents to shift to safer places and be safe. All personnel, including the police, public works department and disaster management teams, have been asked to be on alert. We will be keeping a check on the weather, and will let the public know when the Kedarnath Yatra will resume,' he added. The Kedarnath temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, stands at an altitude of over 11,000 ft in the Himalayas and draws thousands of devotees each year. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The temple doors for the 2025 Yatra season opened on May 2. Read more: The IMD's red alert extends to several districts, including Haridwar, Dehradun, Tehri, Pauri, Nainital, and others. Authorities have urged residents and travellers to exercise caution and plan journeys according to weather updates. In addition to Uttarakhand, other states are also grappling with intense monsoon activity. The IMD has forecast thunderstorms with rain for Tuesday in parts of North India, with maximum and minimum temperatures in Delhi expected at 34°C and 25°C respectively. Cloudy skies, occasional hazy sunshine, and high humidity are likely to persist, while early morning showers have caused waterlogging in several low-lying areas, including Rao Tularam Marg. Similar conditions with cloudy skies and intermittent rainfall are expected over the next few days. Read more: Himachal Pradesh continues to experience severe monsoon impacts, with over 229 deaths reported since June 20 due to rain-related incidents and road accidents. According to the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA), losses to infrastructure, agriculture, and livestock have exceeded INR 2,000 crore. Relief operations are still ongoing, but they are hindered by subsequent landslides and road blockages and residents have been asked to stay alert as heavy to very heavy rainfall is expected over the next few days. Meanwhile, Bihar will witness a spike in the rainfall activity around August 12 and 13 as very heavy showers along with lightning strikes are likely over North Bihar (19 districts). South Bihar may also receive scattered heavy showers. Meanwhile, the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) in Kolkata has forecast that South Bengal districts might witness scattered rain and thunderstorms until Thursday, while heavy rainfall will continue in North Bengal. The situation across these regions indicates that there is a likelihood of widespread impact of the current monsoon phase, whereas authorities are making every effort to take action when required, and urging the public to follow official advisories and take precautions to stay safe.
India.com
3 days ago
- India.com
Amarnath Yatra 2025 Concludes With Chhari Mubarak Ritual Amid Tight Security
The pilgrimage began on July 3, 2025, and lasted 38 days, ending on August 9, 2025, coinciding with Shravan Purnima and Raksha Bandhan. The holy mace, symbolising Lord Shiva, is carried by Mahant Deependra Giri, the custodian of the Chhari Mubarak. The journey of the mace started from the Amareshwar Temple in Srinagar on August 4, 2025, and reached the Amarnath cave on August 9 for the final rituals, marking the official end of the Yatra. This year, despite the Pahalgam terror attack, over 4.1 lakh Lord Shiva devotees paid obeisance at the holy cave in South Kashmir, where the naturally formed ice lingam can be seen, which is revered as a representation of Lord Shiv. The pilgrimage was undertaken from both routes: the 48-km traditional Pahalgam route and the 14-km Baltal route. However, from August 3, 2025, the pilgrimage was suspended for devotees due to heavy rainfall, which necessitated urgent repairs on the tracks of both routes to ensure safety. Despite this, the Chhari Mubarak procession continued as per tradition to conclude the Yatra. The Chhari Mubarak, accompanied by sadhus and devotees, is a central element of the Yatra's culmination. The mace is carried in a ceremonial procession, with stops at various points for rituals before reaching the cave for the final worship on Shravan Purnima. The Amarnath cave is one of the holiest shrines in Hinduism, where the ice lingam forms naturally. The pilgrimage is undertaken annually during the Shravana month, attracting devotees from across India and beyond. This year, due to the Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 people were killed by terrorists, extensive security measures were put in place. Around one lakh personnel from the Jammu and Kashmir Police, CRPF, ITBP, and other agencies were deployed to ensure pilgrim safety. Advanced technologies like FRS, CCTV cameras, and drones were used for surveillance. The Yatra is not only a religious event but also provides a significant boost to the economy and promotes pilgrimage tourism in Jammu and Kashmir.
New Indian Express
3 days ago
- New Indian Express
Langar body slams premature end of Amarnath Yatra, calls it denial of worship rights, demands SASB apology
SRINAGAR: With authorities suspending the annual Amarnath Yatra a week before its scheduled conclusion, the Shri Amarnath Barfani Langars Organisation (SABLO), the apex body representing various Bhandara (langar) groups serving free food to pilgrims during the pilgrimage, has objected to the early closure, saying the 'arbitrary stoppage amounts to a denial of the fundamental right to worship and is a violation of spiritual customs and traditions associated with the Yatra.' The 38-day Amarnath Yatra, which began on 3 July, was scheduled to end on 9 August on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan. However, authorities closed the pilgrimage a week earlier, citing adverse weather conditions and their impact on the Yatra. On 2 August, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Vijay Kumar Bidhuri stated that due to recent heavy rainfall and the need for track maintenance along both the Baltal and Pahalgam routes to the Amarnath cave, the Yatra movement had been halted on both tracks from 3 August. SABLO General Secretary H K Chugh told this newspaper that for the last five years, authorities have been closing the Yatra before its scheduled time. He said around four lakh yatris had visited the Amarnath cave shrine in 30 days up to 2 August. 'About 15,000–20,000 yatris were visiting the cave shrine every day, and if it had not been suspended, the number could have exceeded 5.50 lakh this year,' he said. SABLO president Rajan Gupta said such arbitrary stoppage of the Yatra was unheard of until 2019. 'Even during peak militancy, the Yatra concluded only on its due date. From 2019 onwards, this new trend of pre-closure has emerged and persisted, barring two years (2020 and 2021) when the Yatra was suspended due to Covid-19,' he said. According to Gupta, the early closure has led to growing resentment and erosion of faith among stakeholders, as the legitimate expectations of devotees are being shattered. He emphasised that the disappointment was not just emotional but also logistical and financial.
