In a tragic incident in Pulwama, Jammu and Kashmir, a boat carrying nine individuals capsized in the river Jhelum. Of the nine passengers aboard, seven have been successfully rescued, while two individuals remain missing. Rescue operations are currently underway in full force to locate and save the missing individuals amidst challenging conditions.
Earlier in April, in a devastating incident, six individuals, including four children, lost their lives, and 10 others remain missing after a boat capsized in the swollen Jhelum river in Srinagar. The catastrophe occurred when the boat collided with a pillar of an under-construction bridge, causing it to overturn.
The boat, which was carrying over 20 passengers, primarily children on their way to school, encountered tragedy when the rope used to cross the river snapped. Heavy rains in the region over the past few days had led to a surge in water levels in the river, exacerbating the perilous conditions.
Expressing anguish over the incident, locals highlighted concerns regarding the prolonged construction of the bridge, which has been ongoing for over a decade. Many believe that if the bridge had been completed, the accident could have been averted, as boats are the primary mode of transport across the river.
The state disaster relief force has initiated a rescue operation to locate the missing passengers, with senior officials from the administration and police overseeing the efforts on the ground. Despite the challenging circumstances, rescue teams are working tirelessly to locate and save those still missing.
In addition to the tragic incident, the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway faced closures due to landslides triggered by the heavy rains, further disrupting transportation in the region. Authorities have advised people to avoid travel along the affected route until further notice.
The Jammu-Srinagar National Highway serves as a crucial link connecting the valley with the rest of the country, underscoring the significance of swift action to address the landslide-induced blockages and restore normalcy to transportation routes.
