Demand for timely weather alerts, enhanced safety measures in Dal Lake intensifies after fisherman’s death

Srinagar, May 03: The recent tragic incident on Dal Lake, which claimed the life of a 24-year-old fisherman, has raised fresh concerns over the lack of timely weather advisories and safety measures for those navigating the iconic water body.
The victim, Taufeeq Ahmad Chopan, from Rainawari, was fishing with his employer, Abdul Majeed Khosa, when their boat capsized near Duck Park on Friday afternoon. The two fishermen were caught off guard by sudden, gusty winds that overturned their boat. While Khosa was rescued shortly after the mishap, Chopan went missing and was later found dead on Saturday morning after rescue operations had to be suspended overnight due to poor visibility.
This tragedy, just the latest in a series of similar incidents in recent weeks, has once again highlighted the critical gaps in safety protocols on Dal Lake. Despite existing regulations, boatmen and passengers continue to face significant risks due to a lack of timely weather alerts and essential safety equipment.
Earlier this year, in April, a tourist family’s boat capsized under similar conditions, prompting the Directorate of Tourism to issue new safety guidelines. These included mandatory life jackets for all boats and a ban on operating during adverse weather. However, despite these regulations, the implementation of these measures remains weak, with many shikarawalas continuing to operate without the necessary precautions.
Many locals believe that the problem lies not in the absence of regulations but in their poor enforcement. “After every tragic incident, authorities issue new directives, but they are hardly ever followed on the ground,” said Firdous Ahmad, a resident of Rajbagh. “Life jackets were declared mandatory, but even today, most boatmen operate without them. There’s no monitoring, no inspections.”
Adil Reshi, a resident of Batamaloo, pointed out that although weather advisories are occasionally issued through media channels, there is no direct way to communicate these warnings to those working on the lake. “There should be a system that alerts boatmen in real-time — loudspeakers or other methods. Without that, these advisories are meaningless,” he said.
Shikarawalas, too, echoed similar concerns. “We never get weather alerts,” said Nazeer Ahmad, a shikara operator with over two decades of experience. “When the wind picks up, we’re already out on the lake with tourists. By the time we sense danger, it’s too late.”
Wali Mohammad Bhat, president of the Shikarawala Association, expressed frustration over the situation, emphasizing that while weather advisories used to be more consistent in the past, they have become increasingly sporadic. “In the past, we’d receive warnings regularly. Now, we’re left to rely on our instincts,” he said.
Bhat also raised concerns over the lack of proper safety gear for boat operators. “Most of us can’t afford life jackets for ourselves or for our passengers. It’s a financial burden, and sadly, we’re left to take risks without proper protection,” he said. “The government should step in and provide these essential tools to ensure that all boats, especially those operating in unpredictable weather, are adequately equipped.”
Responding to these concerns, Masroor Ahmad Mir, Commandant of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) 1st Bn, rejected accusations regarding the lack of weather advisories. He asserted that his team regularly provides updates to shikarawalas. “We provide weather advisories to shikarawalas around the clock. Sometimes, we even have to force some boatmen to leave the area,” he said.
Regarding life jackets and other safety gear, Mir explained, “SDRF doesn’t have its own funding. We receive financial support from the Deputy Commissioner’s office, and we allocate that funding accordingly.”
Addressing the challenges of responding to incidents on Dal Lake, he added, “Dal Lake is vast. Currently, our teams are stationed at Nigeen Lake, which results in a response time of about 10 minutes. However, we are in the process of expanding our base to three additional locations, which will help us cover Dal Lake more efficiently and significantly reduce our response time.”
Attempts to contact Dr. Bilal Mohi-ud-Din Bhat, Deputy Commissioner, for comment went unanswered.
Meanwhile, as Dal Lake continues to attract both locals and tourists, the need for consistent enforcement of safety protocols, timely weather alerts, and accessible safety gear has never been more pressing. Without concrete action, the cycle of avoidable tragedies is likely to continue.