People in other snowbound areas concerned over lack of fire fighting units
Kupwara, Jan 19: The people in heavy snowbound areas including Keran, Budnamal, Jumagund areas in this frontier district are living in constant fear of a devastating fire as authorities have failed to establish firefighting units in these areas over the years.
These remote villages during heavy snowfall often remain cut off, leaving the people isolated for months. During these months, any spark can ignite a disaster, yet there is no help to contain it. The Warwan fire, which spread rapidly and caused extensive damage, has heightened the sense of urgency among residents who are now questioning the commitment of government to addressing this critical gap in infrastructure.
The absence of firefighting services in these areas is not a new issue. Residents have long expressed concerns about the vulnerability of their homes and livelihoods. Yet, each year, the situation worsens as the isolation deepens with the onset of winter. In the face of such a crisis, the lack of intervention from local authorities becomes even more apparent.
“Every winter, we live with the constant dread that a single spark could destroy everything. The Warwan tragedy has reminded us how easily it could happen here, and we have no way to protect ourselves. We need firefighting units, not in some distant future, but right now," former BDC Chairman Keran Mohammad Syed Khawja told Greater Kashmir.
Irshad a local from Budnamal area said after the snowfall they get cut off by roads. “If a fire breaks out, there’s no one to call. We are left to fight it with snow, but that’s not enough. A firefighting unit close by could save lives, but it’s nowhere to be found. We hear about fires in nearby villages every year, and we wonder when it will be our turn. The children sleep with fear in their eyes, knowing that if fire strikes, no one will come to help," he added.
Civil Society Kupwara Convener Showkat Masoodi stated that the chilling reality is that the Warwan fire incident is not an isolated case but a glaring reminder of the vulnerability faced by these remote villages every winter. “As snowfall isolate these areas, residents are left to fend for themselves, with no firefighting units to mitigate the damage when disaster strikes," he said.
He added that the need for the government to establish firefighting units in these areas is more pressing than ever. “What happened in Warwan could happen in any of these villages, and unless immediate action is taken, lives and property will continue to be at risk. The time to act is now; before the flames consume more than just homes," Masoodi said.