Dehradun: The sacred Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand has witnessed a concerning rise in fatalities, with 56 devotees losing their lives within 28 days of the pilgrimage’s commencement.
On average, two devotees are dying every day, primarily due to health complications. The highest number of deaths—26—occurred on the Kedarnath Yatra route, raising alarms among health officials and authorities.
Pilgrimage begins amid record footfall
The Chardham Yatra began on April 30, 2025, with the opening of Yamunotri and Gangotri Dhams, followed by Kedarnath on May 2 and Badrinath on May 4. Since then, over 1.56 million devotees have visited the four sacred shrines, marking an unprecedented turnout. So far, 600,709 devotees visited Kedarnath and 416,291 at Badrinath Dham, 265,149 devotees at Gangotri Dham and 279,206 devotees at Yamunotri Dham Additionally, 7,690 devotees have visited Hemkund Sahib.
Health screening & rising fatalities
According to the State Emergency Operations Center, 56 devotees have died due to health issues along the pilgrimage routes. The highest fatalities—26—occurred on the Kedarnath route, followed by 11 each at Badrinath and Yamunotri, and 8 at Gangotri. Apart from health-related deaths, six devotees lost their lives in a helicopter crash in Uttarkashi on May 8, while two others died due to separate incidents, bringing the total death toll to 64 this season.
Mandatory health screening for elderly pilgrims
In response to the rising deaths, Uttarakhand Director General of Health Dr. Sunita Tamta emphasized the importance of health screening, particularly for pilgrims above 50 years of age. Screening points have been set up along the Char Dham Yatra routes to identify comorbid pilgrims and prevent them from undertaking the strenuous journey.
So far, 58 pilgrims deemed unfit for travel have been sent back, while 3,500 pilgrims with pre-existing health conditions have received counseling. Officials note that many pilgrims from plains regions are traveling without proper acclimatization, increasing their risk of altitude sickness and cardiac issues.
Covid & other health risks
The health department has also issued Covid-related guidelines, urging pilgrims to follow safety protocols. Authorities stress that altitude sickness, extreme weather, and lack of acclimatization are major contributors to the rising fatalities.
Government’s response & advisory
Despite the challenges, the Char Dham Yatra continues, drawing thousands of devotees daily. However, with health concerns mounting, officials urge pilgrims to prioritize safety and preparedness before undertaking the sacred journey.
The Uttarakhand administration has intensified efforts to ensure safe travel, collaborating with local health officials to enforce mandatory screenings. Pilgrims are advised to undergo medical check-ups before embarking on the journey and follow acclimatization protocols to minimize health risks.
