KATHMANDU, APRIL 17Altitude sickness is emerging as a growing concern among visitors in Mustang, the district famously known as the "district beyond the Himalayas" and home to the renowned Muktinath Temple, which annually attracts a large number of devotees primarily from Nepal and India.Over the past seven months, 11 tourists, including three domestic visitors, have succumbed to high-altitude sickness in the district.

The District Police Office of Mustang reports a total of 29 fatalities over the past three years, with 11 occurring in the last seven months alone.Deputy Superintendent of Police Bhojraj Pandey stated that the recent casualties comprised seven Indians, three Nepalis, and one Ukrainian.

In the fiscal year 2078-79 BS (2021-22), six visitors-five females and one male, all from India-died of altitude sickness, ranging in age from 45 to 73. According to police records, these individuals experienced high altitude-related health complications in various locations including Marfa, Mesokando Pass Trek, Muktinath Temple premises, Gharpajhong, Jomsom Airport, Lete, Tukuche, and Yara.Of the most recent fatalities, six occurred in the month of Chait (March-April), with victims aged between 35 and 83.In the last fiscal year (2022-23), the district witnessed 12 deaths attributed to altitude sickness, with victims hailing from India (seven), Thailand (one), and Nepal (four), aged between 42 and 75.Altitude sickness arises due to the body's inability to adjust to low oxygen levels at higher altitudes, typically occurring above 2500 meters.

Symptoms include headache, nausea, vomiting, breathing difficulties, insomnia, loss of appetite, fatigue, weakness, among others. .

This article first appeared/also appeared in https://thehimalayantimes.com