<p>Puri: Nearly 625 people fell ill and many had to be admitted to hospitals due to sweltering heat and overcrowding during Rath Yatra here on Friday, officials said.</p>.<p>According to Puri Chief District Medical Officer (CDMO) Dr. Kishore Satapathy, several people reported minor injuries, vomiting, and fainting — primarily due to overcrowded conditions.</p>.<p>"Most of them were discharged after receiving preliminary treatment at OPDs. There were no casualties," he added.</p>.Mamata inaugurates first Rath Yatra from new Jagannath temple in Digha.<p>Odisha Health and Family Welfare Minister Mukesh Mahaling said the primary cause of illness among devotees was extreme heat and humid conditions.</p>.<p>Around 70 people were undergoing treatment at the District Headquarters Hospital in Puri, with nine reported to be in critical condition, an official said.</p>.<p>Meanwhile, sources claimed that a number of people were injured near Balagandi area where Lord Balabhadra’s chariot, Taladhwaja, remained stuck for over an hour.</p>.<p>"The prolonged halt led to a dense buildup of crowd, resulting in several people getting trapped and sustained injuries while trying to get out of the congested area," an official said.</p>.<p>The injured were promptly shifted to hospitals with assistance of volunteers from government agencies and private organisations. </p>
<p>Puri: Nearly 625 people fell ill and many had to be admitted to hospitals due to sweltering heat and overcrowding during Rath Yatra here on Friday, officials said.</p>.<p>According to Puri Chief District Medical Officer (CDMO) Dr. Kishore Satapathy, several people reported minor injuries, vomiting, and fainting — primarily due to overcrowded conditions.</p>.<p>"Most of them were discharged after receiving preliminary treatment at OPDs. There were no casualties," he added.</p>.Mamata inaugurates first Rath Yatra from new Jagannath temple in Digha.<p>Odisha Health and Family Welfare Minister Mukesh Mahaling said the primary cause of illness among devotees was extreme heat and humid conditions.</p>.<p>Around 70 people were undergoing treatment at the District Headquarters Hospital in Puri, with nine reported to be in critical condition, an official said.</p>.<p>Meanwhile, sources claimed that a number of people were injured near Balagandi area where Lord Balabhadra’s chariot, Taladhwaja, remained stuck for over an hour.</p>.<p>"The prolonged halt led to a dense buildup of crowd, resulting in several people getting trapped and sustained injuries while trying to get out of the congested area," an official said.</p>.<p>The injured were promptly shifted to hospitals with assistance of volunteers from government agencies and private organisations. </p>