Uttarakhand government has reported the death of 11 pilgrims in the first six days of Char Dham Yatra which began earlier this week. According to state authorities, this year has seen almost double the number of visitors seeking to go to Yamunotri, Gangotri, Badrinath, and Kedarnath Dham, as compared to the previous year.

The state health department says the deaths have mostly occurred in elderly people suffering from underlying conditions like heart and breathing issues. According to the statistics shared by the state government, until 14 May, over 1.55 lakh pilgrims have traveled to Kedarnath, more than 70,000 to Yamunotri and 60,000 to Gangotri. Badrinath Dham opened on 12 May and has seen 45,000 pilgrims to date.

However, government officials say many of the pilgrims are not divulging their medical conditions, which leads to unfortunate health-related issues at high altitudes. Requesting pilgrims to transparently disclose any medical conditions, Garhwal Commissioner Vinay Shankar Pandey has reassured that comprehensive health screening measures have been put in place. “All incoming devotees are undergoing screening procedures and being provided with forms to detail their medical history,” Pandey told the media. “It is imperative for devotees to furnish complete information regarding their health status. The four Dhams are situated at high altitudes, posing challenges for individuals transitioning from warmer climates,” he added.

Doctors mostly advise against traveling to high altitudes, especially if you are over 50 years of age and suffer from an already-existing health issue. However, a few tips to protect your health include:

According to experts, it is important to spend a few days at 8,000-9,000 feet before traveling to a higher elevation. Avoid traveling from a low elevation to a higher elevation in just a day, as it can lead to high blood pressure and breathlessness.

Make sure to walk slowly and take time to acclimatize. Also, relax for a short while on steep inclines, and do not try to walk fast.

For many people, altitude sickness usually gets worse at night when you are sleeping. And so, make sure to do a higher climb during the day and then return to a lower altitude to sleep.

Always drink lots of water to combat dehydration which leads to headaches.

Eat plenty of carbohydrates that help reduce fatigue and prevent low blood sugar levels, especially at high altitudes

Make sure to take compulsory rest at various locations and walk slowly.

Make sure to take anti-sickness medicine or painkillers like ibuprofen or paracetamol to ease your symptoms.

If you are feeling breathless, use oxygen or a specially designed pressure chamber to treat altitude sickness.

If you are feeling uneasy, make sure to get your blood pressure levels checked to know when you should stop climbing.