Amarnath Yatra: Pilgrims advised, avoid overnight stay at holy cave amid high altitude

Srinagar: Barely 48 hours ahead of the commencement of the annual Amarnath Yatra, the Jammu and Kashmir government has issued a health advisory for the pilgrims, urging not to stay at Holy Cave overnight in view of high altitude and harsh and unpredictable weather conditions.

“Don’t ascend any further if you have altitude sickness. Instead, descend immediately to an elevation where you can acclimatize," the Director of Health Service Kashmir (DHSK) said in its advisory on Thursday.

The 52-day-long annual Amarnath Yatra will commence on June 29 from the twin routes of Baltal in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district and Nunwan Pahalgam in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district.

It has also advised pilgrims to avoid staying at Holy Cave overnight in view of the high altitude and harsh and unpredictable weather conditions.

“While travelling at high altitudes along Shri Amarnath Ji shrine routes, if a pilgrim develops any complaints, contact the nearest health facility, which has been set up at a gap of approximately every 2 km on the route”, it reads.

The advisory has also asked the pilgrims while on pilgrimage to walk slowly while ascending and take time to relax multiple times for a short while, particularly on steep inclines. Avoid exerting beyond your normal capacity.

“Do take longer rests at Yatra camp sites, ensure time logging, and take the ideal walking time mentioned on the display boards while moving towards the next location," it said.

It has also advised pilgrims who are on any medications prescribed by a doctor to continue taking the same.

“Do drink lots of water to combat dehydration and headaches," the advisory reads, and it adds, “Consume plenty of carbohydrates to reduce fatigue, prevent low blood sugar levels, and avoid taking oily and fatty meals.”

It has also urged the pilgrims to take along adequate woollen clothing: a jacket, warm inners, woollen socks, gloves; cap, trousers, muffler, sleeping bag; windcheater; raincoat; waterproof shoes, and an umbrella, as the weather on the track is often unpredictable.

The Director of Health, in its advisory, has also advised the pilgrims not to ignore dizziness or lightheadedness, fatigue not improving with rest, headache, loss of appetite, nausea or vomiting, rapid pulse at rest (heart rate), bluish discolouration of the skin (Cyanosis), chest tightness or congestion, cough, coughing up blood, decreased consciousness or withdrawal from social interaction, grey or pale complexion, inability to walk in a straight line, or inability to walk at all, shortness of breath at rest, or any kind of chest pain, directed to contact a nearby health facility on the route.