DEHRADUN: The world-famous Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand is witnessing a record surge in devotees this season, but the heavy footfall has been accompanied by a worrying rise in pilgrim deaths in the high-altitude shrine routes.
In just 49 days since the Char Dham pilgrimage began on April 19 with the opening of the Gangotri and Yamunotri portals, 165 devotees have died due to health-related complications, mostly cardiac arrests, according to figures available with the State Emergency Operation Centre.
The toll translates to more than three deaths a day on average. Officials said 31,65,746 pilgrims had visited the four Himalayan shrines and Hemkund Sahib till Saturday, indicating that this year’s Yatra may surpass previous footfall records.
The pilgrimage is scheduled to continue till November 13, leaving nearly five months of yatra period still ahead. “The number of devotees arriving this year is exceptionally high. Health teams have been deployed across the Yatra routes, but high altitude, extreme weather and pre-existing medical conditions remain major risk factors,” a senior official said.
The Kedarnath route has reported the highest number of deaths, with 80 devotees losing their lives due to cardiac arrest and other health complications. The Badrinath route has recorded 48 deaths, while 21 pilgrims have died on the Yamunotri route and 16 on the Gangotri route.
The deaths have raised concern as the pilgrimage continues to draw massive crowds ahead of the monsoon, which is expected to reach Uttarakhand around June 21.
Traditionally, the number of pilgrims declines during the rainy season because of landslides, road blockages and difficult weather conditions. However, officials expect the Yatra to regain momentum after the monsoon.
The Char Dham Yatra is considered the backbone of Uttarakhand’s religious tourism economy, supporting lakhs of families dependent on transport, hotels, lodges, eateries, pony operators and local trade.
This year, the state government has not imposed strict restrictions on the number of pilgrims, resulting in a sharp rise in arrivals. So far, around 47 lakh pilgrims have registered for the Yatra this season.
As per data available till Saturday, Kedarnath had received 11,23,013 pilgrims and Badrinath 9,28,919. Heavy rush has also been reported on the Gangotri and Yamunotri routes.
Health officials have repeatedly advised elderly pilgrims and those with heart, respiratory or blood pressure-related ailments to undergo medical check-ups before beginning the journey. “Devotees must not ignore symptoms like breathlessness, chest pain, dizziness or extreme fatigue. Immediate medical help should be sought,” an official said.
