Government data shows 201 pilgrims died during Char Dham

• Image Credit: Internet

• Jun 27, 2022 | Kabir Chakraborty

95 pilgrims have perished on the Kedarnath yatra route, 51 in Badrinath Dham, 13 in Gangotri, and 42 in Yamunotri, according to statistics supplied by the state emergency operation centre in Dehradun.

Digital Desk: More than 200 fatalities have been reported
thus far during the ongoing Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand, according to data
made public by the state administration. Elderly pilgrims' medical conditions
are the main causes of death, it was said.

The state government is facing significant difficulties
in ensuring the smooth operation of the pilgrimage due to heavy rainfall and
associated landslides.

The yatra began on May 3 and is
expected to conclude until the end of October. The total number of pilgrims who
have started the journey has reached over 250,000, but since a week ago, the
numbers have been falling.

95 pilgrims have perished on the Kedarnath yatra route,
51 in Badrinath Dham, 13 in Gangotri, and 42 in Yamunotri, according to
statistics supplied by the state emergency operation centre in Dehradun.

Shailja Bhatt, director general of health
for Uttarakhand, stated: "The department has performed health screening of
passengers for the first time at nine locations, and health advisories are
being disseminated routinely through pamphlets and other ways." The risks
of the yatra are being made known to pilgrims, especially the elderly.

According to her, 12 doctors have been sent to the Char
Dham route. Sick pilgrims are transferred to higher medical facilities in an
emergency by helicopter. Heart-related illnesses have been the main causes of
death so far. "Pilgrims with a medical history are being discouraged from
completing the trek, and if they are resolute about finishing their journey, an
undertaking is being taken from them," she said.

According to Bhatt, 178 additional
doctors have been appointed to 20 temporary health centres along yatra routes,
which is an increase of 66% over the 2019 yatra.