Three yarsagumba (Ophio-cordyceps sinensis) pickers have died of altitude sickness in various places in Dolpa district.

According to police, Narayan Prasad Pahadi, 32, of Tripura Sundari Municipality-10, Bhadra Bahadur Chunara, 15, of Khagenkot, Nalgad Municipality-8 in Jajarkot district and Nar Bahadur Rana of Kaike Rural Municipality, died in the highlands because of altitude sickness.

Two of the deceased died while being brought to Dunai for treatment after they complained of altitude sickness.

Pahadi had reached Gyalwara Patan of Thuli Bheri Municipality-10 while Chunara was in Dho Taksi of Chunara Dolpo Buddha Rural Municipality to collect yarsagumba.

Rana succumbed to altitude sickness while heading towards Thange Patan to pick the caterpillar fungi that are highly prized for their medicinal value.