Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi, May 16: A total of 39 pilgrims have died thus far on the Char Dham Yatra path, with the causes of death reportedly being high blood pressure, cardiac-related disorders, and altitude illness, according to Uttarakhand DG Health Dr Shailja Bhatt.
On the festival of Akshay Tritiya, the Gangotri and Yamunotri portals were opened to devotees on May 3, while Kedarnath reopened on May 6, and the doors to Badrinath opened on May 8.
The Uttarakhand DG Health has issued a health caution for pilgrims in light of the deaths. The health official stated, “Pilgrims who are medically unfit are recommended not to travel.”
Mountain illness and other health issues, according to the official, were the causes of death. The DG also stated that pilgrims’ health is currently being examined at checkpoints set up along the travel routes.
Meanwhile, on Friday, the state Health Department began offering health screenings at the Char Dham Yatra’s entry and registration sites, as directed by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami.
Dr Shailja Bhatt informed, “health screening of passengers has been started at Rishikesh ISBT registration site. A health screening camp has been set up at Pandukeshwar for the pilgrims of Dobata and Hina and Badrinath Dham on the Yatra route of Yamanotri and Gangotri respectively.”
Passengers who are found to have any physical disease after the health test are encouraged to rest or continue their journey only once they have recovered their health, she said.