Srinagar, Sept 03: In the past 19 months, the Kashmir Valley has witnessed a distressing surge in fire incidents, resulting in the loss of 38 lives and injuries to 26 individuals.
Official data from the Fire and Emergency Services department reveals a concerning trend of property destruction, with losses amounting to a staggering ₹149,253.81 crores from January 2022 to July 2023. While ₹12,080.88 crores worth of property was damaged, valiant efforts by the department managed to save property valued at ₹137,172.93 crores during this period.
During this challenging time frame, the Fire and Emergency Department in Kashmir responded to a total of 3,780 fire calls and 24 rescue calls across the valley. Unfortunately, they also had to contend with 35 false alarms.
In a somewhat encouraging development, the data for January 2023 to July 2023 indicates a decline in casualties, with only one fatality and 12 injuries reported due to fire incidents. Contrastingly, from January 2022 to December 2022, 37 people lost their lives, and 14 sustained injuries in fires across the Kashmir division.
The toll on property and infrastructure is distressing. From January 2022 to July 2023, a significant number of vehicles (96) and electric transformers (221) were damaged in the Kashmir division. Further data highlights that, from January 2023 to July 2023, a total of 819 structures, 134 shops, 17 shopping complexes, and 21 shopping lines were affected by fire incidents. In the preceding year (January to December 2022), these numbers were alarmingly higher, with 1699 structures, 317 shops, and 38 shopping complexes falling victim to fire in the Kashmir valley.
The Kashmir valley has also grappled with environmental challenges, with 73 forest fires and 06 nursery fire incidents reported from January 2022 to July 2023.
In response to this alarming trend, an official from the Fire and Emergency Services department highlighted their proactive efforts to mitigate fire incidents. They have been conducting practical demonstrations and awareness camps in schools, colleges, universities, and villages across Jammu and Kashmir. These initiatives aim to empower students and local residents with the knowledge and skills needed to prevent and manage fires effectively.
The official also emphasized that more than 2 lakh people have received training on fire prevention and control under the guidance of Director of Fire and Emergency Services J&K, Alok Kumar. As a result of these ongoing awareness campaigns, fire incidents have shown a notable decrease compared to previous years.
The official urged the public to cooperate with the fire department by promptly contacting the nearest fire station during emergencies. Timely action can make a significant difference in saving lives and protecting property during fire incidents. Furthermore, they stressed the importance of adhering to fire service guidelines in daily life to reduce the risk of fires.
As Kashmir continues to grapple with the impact of these devastating fire incidents, community engagement and proactive measures remain vital in ensuring the safety and well-being of its residents.
