Dehradun, April 21 -- Uttarkashi District Magistrate Prashant Arya on Tuesday sought an explanation from the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) over the absence of first-aid facilities at Yamunotri Dham, directing officials to immediately report on the ground situation and clarify the alleged negligence by the Health Department.

The direction comes amid a sharp increase in pilgrim footfall following the opening of the portals of Yamunotri Dham and Gangotri Dham on Akshaya Tritiya, marking the beginning of the annual Char Dham Yatra.

According to the Uttarkashi district administration, large numbers of devotees from across India and abroad have been arriving at both shrines, creating a deeply devotional atmosphere in the region. Pilgrims were s...