Dry aquagrass sparks rising fire risk in Srinagar

RK News
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24 Nov 2025

Arif Khan

Srinagar, Nov 23: Srinagar is facing a growing fire safety crisis as large stretches of dry grasslands and aquagrass-rich areas continue to witness frequent fire incidents. Over the past one moth, several fires have been reported in the city, particularly in zones prone to aquagrass ignition.

Officials attribute many of these fires to careless behaviour and deliberate mischief, while residents demand stronger preventive measures on the ground.

Deputy Director, Fire and Emergency Services, Dr. Mir Aqib Hussain, said dry aquagrass has become a major fire hazard due to its highly flammable nature.

He said that many recent incidents have been traced to deliberate acts of mischief, posing a serious threat to life, property, and the environment. He urged the public to act responsibly and cooperate with F&E Services to prevent these avoidable fires.

Residents living close to these grassland zones say the situation is becoming alarming with the onset of winter.

Bashir Ahmad, a resident of Mominabad, Batamaloo, said the community lives in constant fear. He said during winter, they must remain extremely cautious because aquagrass can easily catch fire, and such fires cannot be controlled with normal water pressure. He added that many of these areas lack proper road connectivity, making it difficult for firefighters to reach the spot on time.

Another resident from JVC Bemina highlighted the connection between aquagrass and local dairy practices. He said that in summers, aquagrass serves as an important source of fodder for dairy farmers.

“But as winter begins, many of those same farmers set fire to the grass so it regrows more densely in the coming year, unintentionally contributing to recurring fire incidents,” he said.

Fire & Emergency officials have appealed to public to take preventive measures in advance. They urged residents to carry out earth-filling in summer wherever aquagrass patches lie close to residential houses, to ensure these areas do not become a threat to life and property during winter.

Locals are also calling for proper fencing around vulnerable grassland belts to prevent fires from spreading into residential and commercial zones.

With winter tightening its grip and aquagrass drying rapidly, concerns are mounting that without immediate corrective steps, Srinagar could be heading toward a severe fire emergency. Officials say they continue to monitor fire-prone areas and reiterate their call for public cooperation to help curb such dangerous incidents.