Forest department employees conclude the entrance to the Veryliriri Hills on Sunday. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Two pilgrims, including a 45 -year -old woman, died of suspicion of health problems, while on Sunday they trekked at the Veliria Hills in Coimbor District, with a victim of this year’s trekking season in February, which started in February.
Meanwhile, the forest department closed the entrance to the hills on Sunday afternoon with regard to the red warnings issued by the Regional Meteorological Center in Chennai for the Ghat region in the Coimbatore District on May 25 and 26.
According to the department, M. Kousalya of Karaikal died on Sunday noon on the seventh hill. She came to the pilgrimage with two other women. The second deceased was identified as P. Selvakumar, 32, from Melpennathur in Tiruvannamei. He died on the fifth hill. The causes of their deaths would be found after the mortem examination, the officials said.
He tried to bring his bodies back to the descent using a temporary stretcher, said Boluvampatatti Forest Range T. Suseendranath.
After two deaths and occasional heavy rain, the Ministry closed the pilgrims to the hills on Sunday. Pilgrims who have already started trekking and those who reached the peak were asked to immediately descend with regard to potential extreme weather conditions, said sources.
The Veryliriiri pilgrimage includes a 6.5 km long trekking from the Verylirie Andavar Temple in Poondi on the hill on the top of the seventh hill, where Lord Shiva is worshiped in Swayambh (a form of self -government). The trekking route passes through seven hills falling under the forest range Boluvampatatti and the peak is located at a height of 1,850 meters (MSL).
According to the order of the Madras High Court, a pilgrimage in the reserve forests is allowed from February to May every year. Seven people who lost their lives this year include a 15 -year -old boy from the Dindigul district.
Published – May 25, 2025 20:07
