By Shishir Prashant 
PrashantNews
With Uttarakhand witnessing a surge in tourist and pilgrim arrivals during the peak summer season, deaths due to health complications, drowning incidents and accidents have raised concerns across the state.
The Chardham Yatra has recorded 131 deaths since its commencement on April 18, with officials attributing all but one fatality to pre-existing health conditions. Authorities said many pilgrims, particularly those above 50 years of age, undertake the demanding pilgrimage despite medical advisories warning against travel. A record 10 lakh pilgrims have so far visited the Chardham shrines.
Kedarnath has reported the highest number of deaths at 64, followed by Badrinath (39), Yamunotri (16) and Gangotri (11). The lone non-health-related death occurred recently when a pilgrim fell into a deep gorge in the Kedarnath region.
Apart from the pilgrimage circuit, several fatalities have been reported from popular tourist destinations. Nearly a dozen people have drowned in the Ganga at different locations in Haridwar and Rishikesh over the past fortnight.
In Rudraprayag district, two brothers from Lucknow lost their lives after being caught in a severe storm, heavy rain and lightning near the popular Tungnath-Chopta tourist destination on Friday.
In another tragic incident, four-year-old Manasvi, a resident of Delhi, drowned in a swimming pool at a resort in the Sawaldeh area of Ramnagar in Nainital district on May 28. She reportedly ventured into the deeper section of the pool while swimming with her brother. Family members rushed her to a government hospital after pulling her out of the water, but doctors declared her dead.
Officials have urged pilgrims and tourists to follow safety advisories, undergo health check-ups before undertaking high-altitude journeys and exercise caution near rivers and water bodies during the busy summer season.