Danishwar Hameed
What began as a joyful family outing turned into a heartbreaking tragedy on Sunday when four members of a Srinagar-based family were swept away while bathing in the NHPC canal of the Jhelum River near Gantmulla, Baramulla.
Officials told that the family had come for a picnic to the scenic riverbanks of Gantmulla, a popular but poorly marked spot near the canal. While bathing, four individuals were caught in the strong current.
Locals and rescue teams managed to pull one person to safety. However, one body was recovered shortly after the incident, while two others remain missing.
“Rescue operations continued late into the evening, hampered by the canal’s forceful flow and murky waters,” an official said.
Authorities have urged the public to exercise caution near irrigation canals and unregulated stretches of the Jhelum, which often appear calm on the surface but conceal dangerous undercurrents.
Further details about the victims are awaited as the investigation continues.
