Uttarkashi: A private helicopter that was carrying relief material to the victims of severe floods and cloudburst in Uttarkashi crashed leaving three people dead.

The helicopter was going from Mori to Moldi in Uttarkashi district. Three people were aboard the helicopter, they have been identified as Pilot Rajpal, co-pilot Kaptal Lal and a local named Ramesh Sawar.

All three have died in the crash. ITBP officials have reached the accident spot to retrieve the bodies. A team of 10 members has been sent to the site of the crash.

According to the Uttarkashi district magistrate the helicopter crashed in Uttarkashi. It was carrying relief materials to the flood victims.

At least 16 people have died in floods and rain-related incidents in the Uttarkashi districts in the past week. A cloudburst wreaked havoc in the area last week.

Search and rescue teams of the State Disaster Response Force recovered three more bodies from Sanel village on Tuesday.

Makudi is the worst hit among the villages, where heavy rains led to the collapse of a number of houses early on Sunday. The six affected villages include Arakot, Makudi, Molda, Sanel, Tikochi and Dwichanu.

Heavy rains in Mori block of Uttarkashi inflicted damage on an area spread over 70 square kilometres. Seventeen houses were destroyed and 115 others partially damaged, adding four bridges and power supply lines in a 14 km area were also broken.

The River Tons has been flowing above the danger level in Uttarkashi following heavy rainfall in the past few days. Three helicopters, including one from the IAF, were pressed into service to take relief material, including food packets and medicines, to people.