Pilgrim death toll reaches 41
MUSSOORIE: Death toll of pilgrims during the ongoing Char Dham yatra reached 41 on Monday as per records of the Uttarkashi, Rudraprayag and Chamoli district administrations.
The death toll has increased despite the efforts of the government to restrict the pilgrim numbers reaching the four major shrines, which are witnessing an unprecedented rush since the opening of the yatra on May 3.
Seven deaths were recorded at Badrinath, 16 deaths at Kedarnath till Monday morning. While 18 deaths were recorded at Gangotri and at Yamunotri till Sunday.
At Kedarnath, Vimla Ben, 64, a resident of Gujarat, died due to cardiac arrest as soon as she deboarded from a helicopter at Kedarnath and could not be saved despite all efforts of medical staff deployed. Another woman pilgrim from Mumbai sustained head injuries after falling on boulders near Sonprayag bridge and was referred to the higher medical centre after being given primary treatment.
In another incident, a pilgrim, who reported ill near Guptkashi, was airlifted to All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Rishikesh for further treatment following directions from district magistrate Rudraprayag Mayur Dikshit.
“Two pilgrims with head injuries were airlifted to AIIMS for further treatment while 19 pilgrims who were found to be extremely ill were airlifted from Kedarnath to Phata for medical treatment so far. Overall 21 pilgrims have been airlifted for treatment from Kedarnath to AIIMS Rishikesh,” said BK Shukla, chief medical officer Rudraprayag.
Since the opening of the yatra on May 3, 186,668 pilgrims have reached Kedarnath.
District magistrate Rudraprayag Dikshit said, “I have directed officials to ensure that there is no inconvenience to devotees coming to Kedarnath and all arrangements including medical facilities, drinking water, electricity, security are in place.”
He said till May 15, 2,479 devotees were subjected to health check-ups and treatment, including 1,903 men and 576 women and 19,651 devotees have been tested and treated through OPDs, including 14,598 men and 5,053 women.
Sub-Inspector Manoj Singh Rawat, state disaster response force team head at Kedarnath, said so far 11 injured/sick devotees have been rescued and rushed to the hospital for treatment by the SDRF team.
Meanwhile, the tally of deaths at Yamunotri and Gangotri shrines rose to 18 with one death taking place at both shrines on Monday.
“Four persons have died on the Yamunotri path, 2 have died after the Ganga bath at Gangotri and 4 have died in local hotels or during the journey on the yatra route,” said Devendra Patwal, Uttarkashi district disaster management authority officer.
At Gangotri and Yamunotri yatra routes, the health department teams were seen examining the pilgrims at Dobata in Barkot, Janki Chatti near Yamunotri shrine and at Hina on Gangotri shrine route.
The medical screening of the pilgrims who have a history of blood pressure, diabetes and other ailments were conducted and their oxygen levels were also checked, said the officials.
Over 3,100 pilgrims were screened while 111 were examined medically on the Yamunotri shrine route and two pilgrims were restricted from going further and were returned by the medical staff.
So far 24 pilgrims have been sent back before reaching the shrine. On Gangotri yatra route, 1,243 persons were screened while 107 were examined medically.
Uttarkashi district magistrate Abhishek Ruhela said they were keeping a close watch on Chardham yatra arrangements. “Health check-up of pilgrims is being done in the designated health centres and officials are providing oxygen to the pilgrims complaining of breathing problem,” he added.
Uttarkashi chief medical officer KS Chauhan said, “Two pilgrims died due to cardiac arrest at the district hospital in Uttarkashi while one pilgrim died at Syanachatti on Yamunotri yatra route.” Chauhan said pilgrims above the age of 55 are being examined on a mandatory basis.
The signage boards have been set up on the bridle path of both shrines regarding the availability of oxygen in FMR booths, dhabas and shops. Along with this, health awareness exercises are being conducted through hoardings and the distribution of pamphlets.
Over 190,489 pilgrims have reached the Gangotri and Yamunotri shrines since the opening of the portal of the shrines on May 3 as per the district administration bulletin released on Monday.