In Uttarkhand fear has gripped people living in the upper reaches as the Met department has predicted more rains in the next 72 hours.

Due to bad weather most helicopter services engaged in rescue operations in the flood ravaged state have been affected.It was raining intermittently in Dehradoon when reports last came in.

All 20 people on board an Air Force helicopter that crashed yesterday while on a rescue mission in the state have died. Air Chief Marshal N A K Browne said that five of those killed were from the Air Force; others belonged to the National Disaster Response Force and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police. 12 bodies have been found so far.

Commandos are searching the narrow valley where the helicopter crashed.The Air Chief said the cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder of the crashed helicopter have been recovered. He said it is not clear yet if the crash was caused by bad weather or technical problems.

The President and the Prime Minister have condoled the death of those killed in the helicopter crash.In their separate condolence messages Pranab Mukherjee and Dr. Manmohan Singh hailed the courage and supereme sacrifice of the heroes who laid down their lives while performing their duty.

Meanwhile the State Government today declared a day's mourning as a mark of respect to those killed in the crash. Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna visited Jolly Grant helipad of Air Force this morning and offered his condolences to the soldiers.

He said if children of the killed soldiers want to get educated in the State, the Government will bear the cost.

An Air Force spokesperson told our correspondent that a court of inquiry into the incident has been ordered. It will be conducted by a Wing Commander or Group Captain level officer from the force.

Rescuers have evacuated 2,403 stranded pilgrims yesterday. A large number is still waiting to be evacuated, most of them at Harsil and Badrinath.