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Time of India
5 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
73 casualties recorded during 1st monthof Char Dham yatra, most health-related
Dehradun: As many as 65 pilgrims undertaking the Char Dham yatra this year died due to health issues, mainly cardiac-related, while eight were killed in accidents on the route, according to state govt sources. Officials said that of the pilgrims who died due to heart-related and other complications, maximum were on the Kedarnath yatra (30) followed by Badrinath (15), Yamunotri (12) and Gangotri (8). Last year, 246 people had succumbed during the 6-month-long yatra due to a combination of health reasons as well as accidents. Health secretary of Uttarakhand, R Rajesh Kumar said, "A large number of pilgrims were brought dead to the health facilities. Still, this year, there are 10 fewer casualties as compared to the previous year in the corresponding duration." He added that "the screening of around 4.3 lakh pilgrims was conducted at health centres along with medical relief posts within the yatra's first month." "A robust health infrastructure is in place on the yatra route. This includes 69 medical officers, 121 staff nurses, 26 pharmacists, 309 oxygen-equipped beds, 6 ICU beds, 13 departmental ambulances, one blood bank and two blood storage units," Kumar said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với mức chênh lệch giá thấp nhất IC Markets Đăng ký Undo As per official data, pilgrims who died during the yatra mainly hailed from Maharashtra, Delhi, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Haryana. Also, most of the fatalities took place among comorbid people aged between 45 and 65 years. The pilgrims' health screening showed that around 17,800 people suffered comorbidities and were classified under the 'high-risk' pilgrims category. While 294 were referred to health facilities via ambulances, 3,900 pilgrims were counselled regarding red flags pertaining to their health and 29 were convinced to go back home and take up the yatra when in a better state of health. Twenty-six pilgrims were taken to the healthcare centre by heli service in the ongoing first month of the yatra. The four shrines are situated at elevations exceeding 10,000 feet in the Garhwal Himalayas, making the pilgrimage particularly challenging for individuals with underlying health conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, or ailments related to the kidneys, liver, respiratory system, or heart. The high altitude results in lower oxygen levels and extreme cold, often plunging below freezing, which poses serious risks to those with comorbidities. The annual yatra began with the opening of the Gangotri and Yamunotri shrines on April 30, followed by the ceremonial reopening of the Kedarnath and Badrinath temples on May 2 and May 4, respectively.
Time of India
27-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Delhi pilgrim dies during Yamunotri trek, Char Dham yatra death toll crosses 40
Dehradun: A 46-year-old man from Delhi's Mandoli area died of cardiopulmonary arrest on Tuesday while on the Yamunotri yatra. Shiv Kumar collapsed while taking a selfie around 1km from the Yamunotri shrine. His death marks the 43rd fatality on the Char Dham yatra, which began on April 30. Kumar's family and a health team took him to a community health centre in Janki Chatti, where doctors declared him dead. A school bus driver by profession, Kumar had completed the Char Dham yatra for two consecutive years. This year, he was undertaking the pilgrimage for the third time with five family members, said his nephew Lavkesh Kumar. Yamunotri was the first stop on their journey. Health officials attributed his death to cardiopulmonary arrest, likely triggered by strenuous trekking conditions and low oxygen levels near the Yamunotri shrine, which sits at an altitude of roughly 10,800 ft in the Garhwal Himalayas. With the rise in pilgrim footfall, there has been a steady increase in health-related deaths during the annual pilgrimage. The Kedarnath trek, which requires pilgrims to walk at least 16km uphill, has seen at least 20 fatalities. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like People Born 1940-1975 With No Life Insurance Could Be Eligible For This Reassured Get Quote Undo Ten pilgrims have died on the Yamunotri route, followed by eight in Gangotri and five in Badrinath, bringing the total number of deaths due to health complications to 43, according to district authorities. Officials deployed on the yatra route said stricter enforcement is needed in the plains, where some pilgrims "intentionally" bypass health checks to continue their journey. By the time health screenings are conducted in the hills, many have already entered high-risk zones, limiting the effectiveness of the process. "Most fatalities have occurred due to cardiac or respiratory issues, often triggered by pre-existing comorbidities that worsen in the region's harsh conditions, as all the shrines are above 10,000 ft. Like the Amarnath Yatra, we need mandatory health criteria to prevent such tragedies. At Amarnath, checks are strictly enforced due to security reasons. But since the Char Dham yatra doesn't face such threats, it remains open to all. This open access, however, needs to be reconsidered," said an official from the Char Dham district administration. Since April 30, approximately 349,111 pilgrims have undergone screenings at various Health Screening Centres (HSCs) and Medical Relief Points (MRPs) along the route. Of these, nearly 15,000 were identified with comorbidities, according to data from the Uttarakhand health department. "Pilgrims who believe that dying during the journey guarantees salvation (moksha) should be gently counselled to prioritise their health and aim for a safe pilgrimage. This approach would significantly help reduce the death toll," said a senior doctor on yatra duty. Health staff have counselled over 3,000 high-risk individuals flagged for comorbidities and nearly two dozen were convinced to return to their home states and attempt the pilgrimage later, once their health improved, according to the state health department data.
Hindustan Times
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Uttarakhand govt mulls deployment of anti-drone systems at Char Dham shrines
In light of the aerial invasions by Pakistani drones during Operation Sindoor earlier this month, the Uttarakhand government is planning to deploy anti-drone systems at all Char Dham shines and important establishments to counter potential aerial threats, people aware of the matter said. The home department has asked the police headquarters to prepare a proposal and forward it to the Union home ministry (MHA). 'During Operation Sindoor, we received communication from the Union ministry of home affairs that we can consider deploying anti-drone systems. We have asked the state police headquarters to prepare a detailed proposal to be sent to the MHA. It is important in view of the Char Dham shrines, and important establishments located in the state, as the state also shares international borders with China and Nepal,' Uttarakhand home secretary Shailesh Bagauli said. Dehradun houses the Indian Military Academy and DRDO's Instruments Research and Development Establishment (IRDE), along with offices of various central government departments. Two years ago, the state government approved the Uttarakhand Drone Promotion and Usage Policy, 2023, to promote drone manufacturing and drone-based services in the state. The Char Dham yatra began on April 30 with the opening of the Yamunotri and Gangotri shrines. The portals of Kedarnath Dham, the most visited by pilgrims among the four shrines, opened on May 2 and Badrinath temple on May 4. Over 1.4 million pilgrims have already visited the Char Dham shrines this year. Meanwhile, the state government has also decided to set up six civil defence units in Champawat, Pithoragarh, Uttarkashi, Chamoli, Rudraprayag and Haridwar districts. Four of them share international borders with either China or Nepal. The state currently has only one civil defence unit, in Dehradun. The Civil Defence Act of 1968 states that any state government can set up the civil defence units at their level, and the Union government must be notified about it, Bagauli said. Last year, 4.8 million pilgrims visited Char Dham shrines, and the Hemkund Sahib shrine since the opening of the portals on May 10. Of those, 1.42 million visited Badrinath, 183,722 visited Hemkund Sahib, 1.65 million visited Kedarnath, 0.81 million visited Gangotri Dham and 0.71 million visited Yamunotri Dham. In 2023, the Char Dham yatra saw a record pilgrim influx of 5.6 million, according to tourism department officials.
India Gazette
24-05-2025
- India Gazette
Uttarakhand: SDRF conducts cleanliness drive at Yamunotri Dham
Uttarkashi (Uttarakhand) [India], May 24 (ANI): A special cleanliness drive was organised by the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) in Uttarakhand's Yamunotri Dham on Saturday under the 'Swachh Yamuna, Nirmal Yamuna, Aviral Yamuna' campaign. Supervised by Circle Officer Yamunotri and Assistant Commander of the SDRF, Sushil Rawat, the campaign aimed to maintain the sanctity and cleanliness of this holy site by intensifying cleaning efforts in the temple complex of Yamuna Ghat, Hanuman Temple, and Kali Kamli area. According to a release, the drive involved SDRF personnel alongside district police, Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC), Home Guard, and PRD (Police Reserve Department) teams. The collaborative effort focused on removing plastic, garbage, and other waste from the Yamuna River area, promoting public awareness about cleanliness. This initiative to maintain cleanliness in a holy place like Yamunotri is important not only from an environmental point of view but also as an important step towards providing a clean and safe environment to pilgrims and devotees. Circle Officer Sushil Rawat also praised all the officers, jawans, and employees involved in the campaign and said that religious places can be kept clean and sacred only through such joint efforts. Meanwhile, the Char Dham Yatra 2025 had officially begun on April 30, with the doors of Gangotri and Yamunotri Dham opening on Akshaya Tritiya. On May 2, the doors of Kedarnath were opened, and the doors of the Shri Badrinath temple were opened on May 4. Over 22 lakh pilgrims had registered at the Rishikesh Transit Camp for the sacred journey. The Hindu pilgrimage Char Dham circuit consists of four sites: Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath. The River Yamuna originates from the Yamunotri Glacier in Uttarakhand. Pilgrimage season peaks in Uttarakhand for the Char Dham Yatra annually during the summers. Under the leadership of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, the Uttarakhand government had made extensive preparations for a safe, well-organised and convenient journey for devotees. (ANI)
New Indian Express
10-05-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Char Dham Yatra under high alert as ATS, paramilitary forces deployed despite India-Pakistan ceasefire
DEHRADUN: Despite an announced ceasefire, Uttarakhand has significantly ramped up security for the revered Char Dham pilgrimage, citing heightened tensions stemming from the recent three-day "war-like" standoff between India and Pakistan. Security for the revered Char Dham pilgrimage has been significantly bolstered, with police announcing they are on "high alert mode." In a historic first aimed at further tightening safety measures, the Anti-Terror Squad (ATS) has been deployed along the Char Dham route, a spokesperson for the Police Headquarters confirmed. Additionally, the Indian Reserve Battalion (IRB) is stationed at Badrinath Dham, a bomb disposal squad is in place at Kedarnath, and paramilitary forces have been deployed at the Gangotri and Yamunotri shrines, as well as along the pilgrimage routes. IG Garhwal and Char Dham Yatra Nodal Officer, Rajiv Swaroop, stated that while preparations began months ago, the current situation necessitated enhanced measures to ensure the safety and smooth conduct of the internationally renowned religious journey. Detailing the increased security deployment, IG Garhwal Rajiv Swaroop stated, "During the Char Dham Yatra season last year, approximately 5,000 police personnel and officers were deployed. This year, their number has been increased to 6,000." He added, "Along with this, we have received six companies of paramilitary forces, which are being deployed strategically."
