SRINAGAR, July 24, 2015: In the first 23 days of Shri Amarnathji Yatra, which commenced on 2nd July 2015, more than 2.85 lakh pilgrims paid obeisance at
Holy Cave.
Shri PK Tripathi, CEO informed Chairman, Shrine
Board, Governor N N Vohra, that 26 pilgrims had lost their
lives in the Yatra area till date, out of whom 24 died due
to medical reasons and 2 expired due to an accidents. Also,
one CRPF personnel died while on duty at the Holy Cave;
one porter died after being washed away in Lider river,
near Chandanwari; and one Langar Sewadar died at Pissu Top
due to cardiac arrest.
The Chairman was informed that the Director
Health Services (Kashmir) has advised that in view of the
low temperature persisting in the Yatra area, especially
during night, and due to likely exposure to extreme cold
and reduced air pressure, the pilgrims may develop medical
complications while trekking at the high altitudes in the
Yatra area. He has further urged the Yatris to take healthy
diet rich in carbohydrates and plenty of fluids, take regular
meals with warm water, and avoid caffeine and smoking. Further,
while sleeping, the body should be covered with warm cloths
covering the head and feet, ensuring that the under garments
are not wet due to sweat as wet clothing loses around 90
% of its insulation power. They should also avoid taking
bath during night, even with warm water.
CEO has once again advised Yatris to follow
the Health Advisory issued by the Shrine Board and take
medical assistance available in the Yatra area to prevent
any medical complications. He also advised Yatris to take
precautions while undertaking this arduous pilgrimage and
immediately contact Doctors at the Medical Camps in case
they feel even minor complication.
The Shrine Board, in coordination with State
Health Department, Army, State Police, CRPF, BSF, SSB, NGOs
etc. has made elaborate arrangements for providing health
facilities at all the Camps and enroute the Shrine. The
health facilities have been established at points which are at approximately 2 km distance,
in the entire Yatra area, to provide maximum health facilities
to the Yatris. 5 Base Hospitals, 9 MACs, 14 EACs and other
health facilities have been established with adequate number
of doctors and health professionals with adequate and modern
equipments and medicines. Doctors and paramedics from
neighbouring
Punjab, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan States have also
been deployed in these Medical Camps to provide healthcare
services in the Yatra area.
Meanwhile, an adequate number of Yatra Permits
have been made available at various On-Spot registration
counters at Jammu and Srinagar, to fully meet the demand
for current registration on both the routes. With the restoration
of the Srinagar–Baltal road by the BRO for two–way traffic,
the pilgrimage has again picked up from the Baltal route
in addition to traditional Pahalgam route.