Tragedy struck the ongoing Chardham Yatra in Kedarnath when a 28-year-old woman pilgrim from Malerkotla, Punjab was killed on Saturday after she was struck by a rock in the Garhwal Himalayas of Uttarakhand, said the authorities.
The State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) said that the victim, Ojaswi, suffered serious head injuries after she was hit by a rock on Saturday between the Rambara and Lincholi areas; she succumbed to the injuries later in the day.
SDRF personnel have been put on a high alert in view of the intermittent snowfall since Saturday which is continuing to lash Kedarnath. They have been asked to provide medical and other assistance to pilgrims.
“We have asked our SDRF personnel to remain alert and provide all sorts of help to pilgrims,” said Ashok Kumar, Director General (DG) Law and Order.
Badrinath Kedarnath Temple Committee Chairman Mohan Prasad Thapliyal informed that on an average, nearly 15,000 pilgrims are visiting the Badrinath and Kedarnath temples daily.
“Till Saturday, 31,801 pilgrims had already visited Badrinath temple,” said Thapliyal.
The Kedarnath shrine was thrown open for pilgrims on Thursday, May 9 after six months of winter break. Over 2000 pilgrims from different parts of India attended the opening ceremony of the famous Hindu shrine located in Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand.
(With IANS inputs)