Dehradun: Helicopter services to Kedarnath remained suspended on Tuesday due to inclement weather. The operations were suspended till Monday following a crash on Sunday that claimed seven lives, including a toddler, five pilgrims and pilot, shortly after takeoff from the shrine.The state authorities had planned to resume heli services on Tuesday with enhanced safety measures. However, district tourism officer Rahul Chaubey, who also oversees heli operations on the Kedarnath route, said, "Preparations were made to resume the service, but no chopper operated due to rough weather conditions. In such cases, the tickets are cancelled and the amount is refunded to the passenger."Pilgrims typically board helicopters to Kedarnath from Guptkashi, followed by Phata and Sirsi.

"A decision on Wednesday's operations will be taken after reviewing the weather conditions," Chaubey added.In the wake of recent helicopter-related incidents in the Char Dham region, the state govt has enforced stricter norms for chopper operations in the Kedar valley. Operators have been instructed to strictly follow the revised safety guidelines.The June 15 crash was the fifth helicopter-related incident on the Char Dham route in the past 40 days.

On May 8, six people were killed in a crash near Gangotri. On May 12, a helicopter blade struck a vehicle at the Badrinath helipad. On May 15, an air ambulance's tail hit the ground while landing near Kedarnath, though no one was injured. The fourth incident occurred on June 7, when a pilot made an emergency landing in Badasu area on the Kedarnath route.As of June 16, a total of 29.8 lakh pilgrims have visited the four Char Dham shrines, including 10.6 lakh at Kedarnath.Dehradun: Helicopter services to Kedarnath remained suspended on Tuesday due to inclement weather. The operations were suspended till Monday following a crash on Sunday that claimed seven lives, including a toddler, five pilgrims and pilot, shortly after takeoff from the shrine.The state authorities had planned to resume heli services on Tuesday with enhanced safety measures. However, district tourism officer Rahul Chaubey, who also oversees heli operations on the Kedarnath route, said, "Preparations were made to resume the service, but no chopper operated due to rough weather conditions.

In such cases, the tickets are cancelled and the amount is refunded to the passenger."Pilgrims typically board helicopters to Kedarnath from Guptkashi, followed by Phata and Sirsi. "A decision on Wednesday's operations will be taken after reviewing the weather conditions," Chaubey added.In the wake of recent helicopter-related incidents in the Char Dham region, the state govt has enforced stricter norms for chopper operations in the Kedar valley.

Operators have been instructed to strictly follow the revised safety guidelines.The June 15 crash was the fifth helicopter-related incident on the Char Dham route in the past 40 days. On May 8, six people were killed in a crash near Gangotri. On May 12, a helicopter blade struck a vehicle at the Badrinath helipad. On May 15, an air ambulance's tail hit the ground while landing near Kedarnath, though no one was injured. The fourth incident occurred on June 7, when a pilot made an emergency landing in Badasu area on the Kedarnath route.As of June 16, a total of 29.8 lakh pilgrims have visited the four Char Dham shrines, including 10.6 lakh at Kedarnath.