BANDIPORA: A large-scale search operation continued in Kuloosa area of Bandipora on Friday for a young boy who drowned in Nallah Madhumati a day earlier, with authorities directing the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) to halt water discharge temporarily to facilitate rescue efforts.
Deputy Commissioner Bandipora, Indu Kanwal Chib, visited the site on Friday morning to review the ongoing operation being carried out by the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Jammu and Kashmir Police, district administration officials and local volunteers.
According to officials, the boy allegedly slipped into the fast-flowing stream on Thursday evening while attempting to retrieve a ball near the bank.
The search operation was launched within an hour of the incident and continued through the night. Officials said the district administration coordinated with NHPC authorities to temporarily stop downstream water flow. NHPC was also directed to suspend discharge from 11 am to 5 pm on Friday to reduce the water level and assist divers and rescue teams in scanning the stream bed.
During her visit, the Deputy Commissioner expressed condolences to the bereaved family and reviewed the measures being taken to trace the missing boy.
Officials noted that wire-mesh barricades and fencing have been installed along most sections of the embankment, although some openings have been left for residents to carry out domestic activities such as washing clothes.
The Deputy Commissioner also appealed to parents and residents living near rivers and streams to keep children away from water bodies and exercise caution to prevent similar incidents.
