The skies above Kedar valley appeared to be abuzz with metallic birds as the choppers crowded the area to rescue the stranded pilgrims on Sunday. The helicopter pilots used their aircraft like auto-rickshaws, carrying more than the capacity in order to finish evacuation of the stranded pilgrims in view of the inclement weather forecast in Uttarakhand.
On Sunday when this correspondent visited Gaurikund, there were more than six helicopters flying together from all sides with the deafening noise of choppers echoing in the valley as if they want to pick up the people before the beginning of inclement weather forecast by the meteorological centre in the 48 hours after Sunday.
In general, birds either fly low or higher than the chopper route but in Kedar valley these metallic birds were flying from all sides creating confusion for the feathered birds. The correspondent saw few choppers were flying above the mountain while some were flying between the mountains.
Even local residents including children, who were sobbing due to loss of their near and dear ones in cloud burst, were seen looking at these helicopters wondering whether the choppers will bring their missing relatives and at the same time they were heard praising these valiant and adventurous pilots, who were conducting sorties like auto drivers notorious for carrying more than the permitted number of passengers. Seeing number of sorties of choppers including Army, Air force and private, the feathered birds left the areas as if unable to understand the frantic activity in the skies. Probably sensing a threat from the large noisy 'birds' the feathered ones might have perceived that the area would not be conducive for them. They either sheltered in the woods or left the area because sky was without birds.
When this correspondent reached the Mundkattaganesh temple, where idol of headless lord Ganesha is worshiped, Sikh Regiment Col Pradip Mehta, who conducted recce of the valley and broke the news that lord Shiva temple was intact and even shared first photographs with media, which was released with their credit, said that the valley was unknown to these pilots but they have been flying like they are familiar with it.
Sometimes these choppers also caused landslides while flying low above the mountains as the loose debris was being shaken by the chopper vibrations. The medium sized trees which had held rocks and soil stable with their roots were seen shaking as in a storm and then rocks were seen rolling down as fast as bullets.
At the helipad pilots had folded the seat and allowed 9-10 passengers to sit on the chopper floor in stead of six on the seats. Children were seen standing and elders were sitting on the floor which reminded one of the auto rickshaws which carry eight instead of three passengers.