NextFin News - The seasonal pilgrimage to the Velliangiri Hills in Coimbatore has turned increasingly perilous as the death toll for the 2026 trekking season reached six following the deaths of two more devotees on Sunday. Local authorities confirmed that the victims, who were attempting the arduous 6-kilometer climb to the summit, succumbed to health complications likely exacerbated by the steep terrain and fluctuating oxygen levels at higher altitudes. This latest tragedy brings the total number of fatalities this year to a level that has prompted urgent calls for stricter medical screening and infrastructure improvements along the trail.
The Velliangiri trek, often referred to as the "South Kailash," involves traversing seven distinct hills to reach a shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva at an elevation of 1,850 meters. According to local police reports, the most recent casualties occurred during the early hours of April 5, a period when the trail is typically crowded with pilgrims seeking to complete the ascent before the heat of the day. One of the deceased was identified as a 23-year-old student, Mukesh Kumar, while the second victim was an older devotee; both reportedly collapsed due to sudden cardiac arrest, a recurring cause of death on these slopes.
The rising mortality rate highlights a growing disconnect between the spiritual fervor of the pilgrimage and the physical preparedness of the participants. While the Madras High Court previously opened the hills to year-round trekking under specific conditions, the peak season from February to May remains the most dangerous due to the sheer volume of trekkers. Data from the Tamil Nadu Forest Department suggests that many devotees attempt the climb without adequate hydration or medical clearance, ignoring the fact that the final three hills are notoriously steep and offer little in the way of emergency medical support.
From a public safety perspective, the current management of the Velliangiri pilgrimage appears increasingly unsustainable. Local health officials have noted that the lack of a permanent medical outpost on the higher hills significantly delays life-saving interventions during the "golden hour" following a cardiac event. While the Forest Department has deployed additional personnel this season, their role remains primarily focused on crowd control and environmental protection rather than medical emergency response. The recurring nature of these deaths suggests that voluntary health advisories are insufficient to deter high-risk individuals from attempting the climb.
The economic and social pressure to maintain open access to the hills remains high, yet the mounting death toll may force a regulatory shift. Potential measures under discussion among district authorities include mandatory health certificates for trekkers over a certain age and the installation of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) at key transit points on the fourth and fifth hills. Without such structural changes, the Velliangiri trek risks becoming defined more by its hazards than its heritage, as the 2026 season continues to test the limits of local emergency services.
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