Incessant rains accompanied with snowfall could take their toll on the health of the pilgrims especially the elderly devotees during the Char Dham Yatra which is starting from Tuesday. The State medical health and family welfare department has advised the pilgrims to carry sufficient woolen clothing and proceed on yatra after proper health check-up. The patients suffering from heart and lung ailments are being advised to take extra precaution during the yatra which proceeds in high altitude region.
When contacted Director General (DG) of State health services, Dr GS Joshi accepted that the weather conditions could cause problems to the elderly pilgrims. He said the first eight to ten days of yatra are always challenging.
“The department is fully geared up for the yatra, he added. He said the department has made elaborate arrangements to provide health care facilities on the entire route of Char Dham. The DG said the department has requested the 108 EMRI emergency ambulance service to provide Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) at selected points on the yatra route.
The department has set up Medical Relief Posts (MRP) at Sonprayag, Munkutia, Tolapani, Chhaudi, Junglechatti, Bhimbali, Rambada, Chotti lincholi, lincholi, Kainchi, Rudra point and Kedarnath on the bridle path of Kedarnath route. The department has made Medical check-up facilities for Kedarnath pilgrims at Guptkashi, Phata, Sonprayag and District Hospital of Rudraprayag. Apart from this, 11 ambulances are at kept at service on Kedarnath Yatra route.
For devotees, there is a 108 Advance life Support Ambulance at Sonprayag. The department has deployed ambulances in sufficient numbers on Badrinath, Gangotri and Yamnotri routes. For the pilgrims, the department has set up two medical camps on Yamnotri and one on Gangotri route. Apart from them more than 20 small and medium hospitals are located on Badrinath, Gangotri and Yamnotri routes.
The State Government is very keen to make the Char Dham Yatra a success this year however the unusually cold weather could throw a spanner in the plans of the Government. last year, the yatra was a damp squib as pilgrims preferred to stay away from visiting the Char Dhams as memories of disaster of 2013 was still fresh in their memories.