Despite continuing deaths of pilgrims who climb the Vellingiri Hills, located around 40 km from Coimbatore, the Health Department and Forest Department are yet to place restrictions on people with ailments that may turn fatal while trekking to the high-altitude Lord Shiva shrine.

According to the police, at least four persons died while climbing or descending the hill this year, which is around 1,800 metres above mean sea level.

Latest to the list, a 55-year-old man from Tiruppur died while trekking up the hills on March, 22. Nearly ten people had died in the hills in 2018.

R. Soundravel, Resident Medical Officer of Coimbatore Medical College Hospital, said that a majority of the persons who died while trekking Vellingiri hills had cardiac problems.

“Climbing steep hill requires more physical activity. This demands the heart to pump blood at fast pace. People who have cardiac problems will have difficulty in climbing. People with above 60 % blocks in the heart may develop further constriction, resulting in a heart attack,” said Dr. Soundravel.

It takes a 15-km uphill trek to reach the temple on the top of the seventh hill. Though pilgrims are advised to stray from the path, some go in search of unexplored areas.

There were instances in which people were found dead away from the main route.

P.G. Bhanumathi, Deputy Director of Health Services, said the Health Department conducted health camps at the foothills thrice a year when pilgrimage to the shrine was at its peak.

“Those with chronic ailments, high blood pressure, respiratory diseases and cardiac problems are advised to avoid trekking for long distance.

People with ailments are not advised to go alone. It is advised to have a medical check up before venturing into high altitude trekking,” said Dr. Bhanumathi.

Health issues

District Forest Officer D. Venkatesh said that Forest Department staff who checked the individual pilgrims before allowing them to begin the trek asked whether they had any health issues.

“The staff enquire aged, obese and physically weak pilgrims whether they have any health issues. They discourage weak persons from climbing the hills,” he said.

Forest Department staff also ensure that the pilgrims do not take inflammable items, cigarettes, beedis, drugs, alcohol and similar substances to the hills.

According to Dr. Soundravel, aged pilgrims and those with ailments can undergo a check-up before they undertake the pilgrimage, as is done pilgrims to the Amarnath shrine.