Tauseef Ahmad
Srinagar, July 22: Hours after the body of a 14-year-old boy who was swept away in a flash flood was recovered from a stream in Bandipora, rescue teams also found the body of his mother, prompting the district administration to issue a fresh appeal urging people to stay away from rivers, streams and other water bodies amid rising water levels and forecasts of more heavy rain.
The victims were identified as Amir Khatana (14) and his mother, Gudi Begum, residents of Bonibal Tangath. According to officials, the two were swept away by the strong current of a nallah while attempting to retrieve firewood washed downstream during flash floods triggered by heavy rainfall.
Following the recovery of both bodies, Deputy Commissioner Bandipora, Indu Kanwal Chib, urged residents not to venture near fast-flowing streams or attempt to cross flooded areas, warning that water levels can rise suddenly and pose a serious threat to life.
She appealed to parents to keep children away from streams and advised people not to risk their lives to retrieve firewood or other belongings from flooded nallahs. She also said more rainfall is expected over the next three days, increasing the possibility of further rises in water levels across the district.
The Deputy Commissioner assured that the administration is prepared to assist families facing emergencies or shortages of essential supplies and urged residents to contact the district control room for immediate help if required.
She said all departments have been placed on alert and appealed to the public to strictly follow official advisories until the weather conditions improve.
