SRINAGAR: While temperatures in Kashmir’s plain areas are gradually rising and snow is melting, the Gurez Valley in north Kashmir’s Bandipora district remains inaccessible. Two critically ill pregnant women are awaiting airlift due to road closures caused by heavy snowfall.
Nestled high in the Himalayas, the valley has just one road connecting it to the outside world, but it remains closed by heavy snow for nearly three months annually, rendering residents reliant on helicopters for medical and other emergencies, with no alternative means of ingress or egress.
The two pregnant woman Reshmi begum(38), Wife of Ismiyal Ahmad of Kilshay village of Tulail and Rubeena begum wife of Imtiyaz Ahmad were referred to Srinagar Hospital a week ago but from Dawar Hospital in Gurez but couldn’t be airlifted due to bad weather, leaving them in deep pain.
“Reshmi, who has been battling pregnancy complications for the last several days, was referred to Srinagar Hospital for advice and treatment. However, the lack of chopper service has left us stranded here,” said one of her relatives.
“Although we pleaded with every official here for help, it has been in vain so far. We were told that the choppers have developed some technical snag and are currently undergoing service,” he added.
“Without chopper service, there’s no other option for evacuation because the road is closed due to the accumulation of snowfall,” another local said “Although the weather was quite good today in Gurez, it’s unfortunate that we haven’t been airlifted, nor has anyone considered our emergency,” said a relative of Rubeena.
The family members of the two pain-stricken ladies appealed to the administration to evacuate them as soon as possible.
Meanwhile, the BMO of Gurez also confirmed that the two pregnant ladies have been stranded in Gurez for a week, despite being referred to Srinagar Hospital a week ago. However, she said that due to the unavailability of chopper service, the pregnant women remained at Dawar Hospital under strict observation.
Another administrative official said that efforts are underway to evacuate the duo from the snowbound Gurez Valley.
