Srinagar, July 27 (GNS): “Reportedly” 42 pilgrims have died due to natural causes till July 19 during the ongoing Amarnath yatra, government informed the parliament on Tuesday.
Responding to a question in the ongoing monsoon session of the parliament regarding how many persons died and are missing during the pilgrimage of Amarnath yatra since last three years, Minister of State in the Ministry of Home Affairs, Nityanand Rai: “As per information provided by Government of Jammu and Kashmir, 15 persons lost their lives due to flash flood but no person has been reported missing during Amarnath Yatra 2022. Moreover, reportedly 42 pilgrims have died due to natural causes till 19.07.2022.”
In the years 2020 and 2021, he said, Shri Amarnath Yatra was not organized owing to Covid-19 pandemic.
“Government has taken several steps to protect lives of pilgrims such as, mandatory requirement of compulsory health certificate, installation of Oxygen booths, setting up of hospitals at various locations along yatra route, monitoring/well being of Yatris through Radio Frequency-based Identification (RFID), installation of Automatic Weather Stations, issue of health and weather advisories from time to time,” he said in the written reply, a copy of which lies with GNS.
Moreover, he said, various Government agencies like NDRF, SDRF, Army, CAPFs and J&K government Officials have been mobilized for search operations, rescue and relief of pilgrims in case of any eventuality or untoward incident. “In such a scenario, the yatris are immediately evacuated to safer places/camps and provided accommodation and food while the injured yatris are moved to nearest medical facilities,” he said in reply to a query by Sanjay Raut, Rajya Sabha Meber from Shiv Sena party. (GNS)
