Diplomat Correspondent
Srinagar, (DD) A boat capsized in the iconic Dal Lake on Thursday evening following sudden gusty winds that swept across parts of Srinagar, triggering an immediate rescue operation by disaster response teams.
As per the local sources, the incident occurred near the Ghat No. 7 area, where a traditional shikara reportedly overturned due to high-velocity winds that disrupted normal water traffic on the lake. It remains unclear how many people were on board at the time of the mishap.
“Soon after receiving the distress call, SDRF, police, and local volunteers rushed to the spot and launched a search and rescue operation,” said a senior official involved in the operation.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic as the boat capsized. “The wind picked up all of a sudden. Within minutes, the boat was upside down,” said Fayaz Ahmad, a local shikara operator who helped in the initial rescue effort.
Authorities have not yet confirmed any casualties, and the search is still ongoing as of the latest reports. Divers and rescue personnel are combing the area, and drones have been deployed to assist in locating any missing persons.
The incident has once again raised concerns about weather preparedness and the need for stricter safety measures on water bodies, especially during volatile spring weather conditions in the Valley(DD)
