KATHMANDU: As many as 11 tourists have died from high-altitude sickness in the Himalayan district of Mustang over the past year.
Nine foreign tourists and two Nepali nationals have succumbed to high altitude sickness.
The highest number of deaths occurred among Indian tourists visiting the Muktinath Temple and Mustang, according to Police Inspector Bishal Adhikari, Information Officer at the District Police Office.
Of those who traveled to Mustang for Muktinath, five died of high altitude sickness in Waragung Muktikshetra-1, Muktinath, five in Gharpajhong-4, Jomsom, and one in Thasang Rural Municipality-2. The victims were aged between 58 and 81 years old.
According to statistics from the District Police Office, two tourists died in Baisakh 2081 BS, one in Jestha, two in Asoj, five in Kartik, and one in Poush. Among the deceased was a 63-year-old American citizen.
In 2080 BS, 17 people lost their lives due to heatstroke, including 11 foreigners and six Nepali citizens, the police inspector reported.
In response, the District Administration Office, security agencies, health offices, local authorities, provincial hospitals, and other concerned bodies have been conducting awareness programs, distributing pamphlets, and raising public awareness on heatstroke and preventive measures.
The provincial health offices, along with Gharpajhong and Thasang rural municipalities, have also organized wall paintings and graffiti campaigns to alert tourists about heatstroke.
Heatstroke typically occurs when tourists travel directly from the plains to the high Himalayan region without proper acclimatization, especially from an altitude of 3,800 meters above sea level.
Senior citizens, people with physical disabilities, and those on chronic medication are particularly vulnerable, according to Chhetri, in-charge of the District Traffic Office.
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