Last Updated on June 16, 2022 at 1:23 pm
Recently the administration directed that people traveling to cold desert, Ladakh needs to undertake mandatory acclimatization in Leh for 48 hours before continuing their journey.
This decision has been amid the increase in number of casualties due to altitude-related complications. The main reason behind this move is the rising number of deaths of tourists. Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) authorities informed that within less than two months of the tourist season, 11 deaths have already been reported from Leh’s higher locations, including Pangong Tso Lake at 4,225 metres above sea level, Changla (5,360 metres) and Khardung La (5,359 metres).
Chief Executive Councillor of LAHDC, Tashi Gyalson told The Indian Express that within two months, eleven people have died due to altitude-related complications.
Officials said that tourists start visiting high altitude areas right on the day they land in Leh or the next day and think that they are fit and nothing would happen.
As per reports, casualties among tourists in Leh region till June 10 were the highest in three years as 15 deaths were reported, of which 11were due to altitude sickness. The number for the years 2021 and 2020 was six and one, respectively.
