my uttarakhand news Bureau
New Tehri, 20 May: A major tragedy was averted during the ongoing Char Dham Yatra today when a helicopter carrying pilgrims from Badrinath (some claim that it was returning from Kedarnath) to Dehradun got entangled in 11,000-volt high-tension electricity lines over the Satyon-Naugaon area of Saklana in Tehri Garhwal district and had to make an emergency landing in agricultural fields. The helicopter, operated by Trans Bharat Aviation, sustained damage during the incident, but all the passengers and crew members escaped safely due to the presence of mind and quick action of pilot Anupama Chaudhary.
According to the officials and eyewitnesses, the helicopter was originally scheduled to travel to Dehradun via Guptkashi. However, the pilot reportedly received instructions to proceed directly towards Dehradun, resulting in a change in the designated flight route. While flying over the Chamba-Arakot region at around 9.30 a.m., the helicopter suddenly came into contact with 11,000-volt high-tension wires, which got entangled in the rear rotor of the aircraft.
The incident triggered panic among the passengers as the helicopter reportedly began shaking violently in the air after the wire became stuck in the tail section. Eyewitnesses and passengers later said the aircraft started losing balance and descending uncontrollably, creating a frightening situation onboard. Despite the dangerous circumstances, pilot Anupama Chaudhary managed to maintain control of the helicopter and attempted an emergency landing in fields near Satyon-Saklana, close to the Surkanda Devi temple area in Naugaon.
During the landing attempt, the helicopter again came into contact with electric wires and lost balance before coming down in the fields. The rear portion of the helicopter was damaged in the incident, but all the seven persons onboard, including the pilot, survived safely. The helicopter was reportedly returning from Badrinath with pilgrims and heading towards Dehradun when the incident occurred.
Soon after the emergency landing, panic spread in the area and a large number of local residents rushed to the spot to assist in rescue operations. With the help of villagers and local authorities, all passengers and crew members were safely evacuated from the helicopter. The passengers onboard included Putra Raj Suri, Shriraj Suri, Bhumi Suri, Parth Suri, Himanshi Patel and Nishka, besides pilot Anupama Chaudhary. All passengers were later sent to Dehradun by road.
Police teams from Chamba and Satyon, along with officials from the administration and other departments, reached the spot soon after receiving information about the incident. Authorities cordoned off the area and began an assessment of the situation. Preliminary reports suggested that a technical issue may have contributed to the emergency situation, although the exact cause of the incident is still under investigation.
Dhanaulti Tehsildar Mohammad Shadab said the pilot’s alertness and courage helped avert a major disaster. He said the helicopter was safely landed in the fields despite the difficult circumstances, ensuring the safety of all passengers onboard.
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