Three pilgrims in their teens and early twenties from Punjab died during the Manimahesh trek in Himachal Pradesh’s Chamba district following breathing difficulties over the past 24 hours. Two of the victims died on Sunday evening, while the third succumbed on Monday.
The bodies of the three victims – identified as Aman Kumar, 18, and Rohit, 19, from Pathankot, and Anmol Sharma, 26, from Gurdaspur – were taken to the Bharmour Civil Hospital for postmortem examination.
Meanwhile, district authorities in Chamba have temporarily suspended the Manimahesh Yatra in view of incessant rainfall until further orders.
The Manimahesh trek is an approximately 15-km-long pilgrimage to Manimahesh Lake, located in the Pir Panjal range of the Himalayas in Chamba district. The lake, revered as the abode of Lord Shiva, lies at an altitude of 4,080 metres (13,390 ft) in the Bharmour subdivision.
Sources said the three victims were part of different groups. Two of them were heading towards Manimahesh Dal Lake – the second-last point of the pilgrimage – via the Kugti route, while the third was proceeding to the final point through Hadsar with his team members. Sources said Aman Kumar developed breathing problems near Kamal Kund and died at Gaurikund. Rohit collapsed on the Kugti track, while Anmol Sharma passed away at Dhanchho.
Mukesh Repaswal, Deputy Commissioner, Chamba, told The Indian Express, “In view of the ongoing incessant rains, we have suspended the Manimahesh Yatra until further orders. The road link between Bharmour and Chamba has been completely cut off due to landslides and other rain-related issues. The bodies of the victims are at Bharmour Civil Hospital, and their families have been informed about the tragic deaths. Although we had already advised pilgrims with breathing problems, diabetes, and other medical issues to avoid the trek, the medical history of the three victims is yet to be verified. We will look into the matter once the initial formalities are completed. Preliminary probe suggests that three victims died due to shortness of breathing, which is being termed as the shortage of oxygen. The exact cause of the deaths of three pilgrims will be ascertained after the postmortem examination.”
Sources added that seven pilgrims have died during this season’s Manimahesh Yatra, which commenced on August 16. Four of them succumbed to high-altitude sickness and breathing difficulties caused by low-oxygen levels, while three others – including a woman – died due to landslides and falling stones during the trek. The annual pilgrimage is scheduled to conclude on August 31.
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Meanwhile, continuous rainfall over the past 24 hours has forced authorities to advise pilgrims to remain in safe locations until weather conditions improve. Most major roads in the district are blocked due to landslides. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for heavy rain in the Chamba district on Monday.
