New Delhi: Due to cardiac arrests, two pilgrims, a 62-year-old from Gujarat and a 49-year-old from Madhya Pradesh, died in Yamunotri, Dehradun on Saturday. The incident took place on the very first day of the Char Dam Yatra, in the opinion of the Gangotri and Yamunotri shrines.
Kanak Singh, 62, of Gujarat, died on the 6-kilometre hike from Janki Chatti to the Yamunotri shrine. Singh has a history of heart problems and had undergone bypass surgery, according to officials.
Dinesh Patidar, 49, of Madhya Pradesh, was the other casualty. According to health officials, he also had a heart arrest and died on his way to the hospital on Saturday.
Meanwhile, on Sunday Health Minster of Uttrakhand Dhan Singh Rawat held a meeting and said, “Around 200 ambulances have been put on standby, including vehicles of ‘108 ambulance service’ to ensure speedy addressing of health concerns of pilgrims.”
Fifty medical points have been set up on the Yatra route. Health official says, “Pilgrims who are above 55 are recommended to avoid the yatra, especially if they show symptoms of pre-existing conditions.”
Doctors involved in Yatra medical service said, “Others are being asked to acclimatise first. However, despite warnings, most pilgrims proceed after signing a health undertaking declaring they are going at their own risk.”
The deaths on the first day of the yatra have called into doubt the screening process for pilgrims. After over 300 pilgrims died during the six-month yatra last year, the majority of whom perished from cardiac arrests, the health department claimed to have increased safeguards this year. A screening procedure has been put in place, and pilgrims over the age of 55 are required to give their medical history as well as details of lifestyle disorders such as diabetes and high blood pressure.
