Tuesday 25th June 2013 – Kedarnath Valley, Uttarakhand India:

A MI-17 helicopter operated by the Indian Air Force has crashed on return from the Kedarnath Valley around 12:30 pm, following flood rescue operations. As many as 20 people are feared dead.

The troops on board the helicopter had been involved in survivor rescue, body retrieval and helipad construction in the devastated Kedarnath area following flash floods.

Rescue helicopters working in the area face formidable challenges in terrain, elevation and weather. Floods and landslides in Uttarakhand have claimed over 800 lives and many thousands have been displaced since monsoon rains hit on June 15. A major religious pilgrimage undertaken during this time has increased the population in the region.

LINKS:
http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/NorthIndiaRainFury2013/20-feared-dead-in-IAF-rescue-chopper-crash-as-more-rain-punishes-Uttarakhand/Article1-1082245.aspx
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887323683504578567250967835278.html