New Delhi: With unprecedented rush of pilgrims to the Char Dham shrines since May 3, the situation have gone haywire. In last few days, many incidents of people getting unconscious and collapsing to death have been reported, prompting authorities to take quick action.

Owing to surge of devotees rushing for pilgrimage to the 4 shrines, Dhami govt has deputed 2 cabinet ministers for streamlining the yatra arrangemnts. Cabinet minister Dhan Singh Rawat has been allotted to look after Kedarnath shrine arrangements while Subodh Uniyal has been entrusted with preparations of Badrinath Dham.

To address the health related issues of pilgrims visiting the Kedarnath, the District Magistrate (DM) has issued clear instructions to the medical department. Officers have been told to make themselves quickly available in case of someone falling ill or meeting any mishap.

Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dr BK Shukla told the newsmen that a 62-year old devotee on way to Kedarnath shrine suddenly got trapped in a small landslide on Thursday morning and was injured. A stone hit his head and he was subsequently taken to hospital by fellow pilgrims. After initial treatment at Gaurikund dispensary, the injured pilgrim was brought to Sonprayag via ambulance. From there, he was lifted to AIIMS Rishikesh for further treatment.

Giving an account of rescue operations during the pilgrimage, the CMO informed that medical teams are on standby at various places along the route to provide first-aid treatment in case of any emergency. He said that 11 injured/ill pilgrims have been lifted to safer destinations. In 16 medical units along the route, more than 9,000 people have received OPD treatment out of which more than 2,000 are women devotees. They were also provided with medicines.

“There are 13 units along the way that are fully equipped with medical equipments & modern facilities,” he said.

Moreover, the devotees are being asked to keep their oxygen levels checked and take regular rests while covering the difficult terrain of Char Dham. Also, they are being advised not to stay empty stomach during the journey.

As the spate of deaths in Char Dham Yatra play a spoiler in the yatra, the state government has appealed to public in general to avoid pilgrimage to Chardham if they have any health issues like Asthma, heart disease, high blood pressure or diabetes.

Woman suffers fracture, rescue team in action

A woman devotee who came to Uttarakhand from Jammu & Kashmir, suffered leg fracture after falling from from a horse. As soon as the information spread & reached the CMO, the officials got into quick rescue mission. She was flown down to the city via helicopter.