Rehan Qayoom Mir
Srinagar, Feb 27: A houseboat sank in the Jhelum River in the Rajbagh area here on Tuesday morning.
Abdul Rehman Pakhtoon, the owner of the houseboat, said that they discovered the sinking houseboat early in the morning. “As soon as we noticed it, we immediately alerted the administration for assistance,” he said.
As we informed the authorities, the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and the Fire and Emergency Services swiftly initiated a rescue operation to handle the situation, he added.
Abdul Rehman said they need support and shelter from the administration, especially considering the inclement weather conditions.
When contacted, the President of the Houseboat Association (HBOA), Manzoor Ahmed Paktoon said that the issue of sinking houseboats in the Jhelum River has been persisting for long. “This incident underscores the long-standing demand for the relocation of houseboats, which has been neglected by the authorities for years,” he said.
The sinking of the houseboat serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by the houseboat owners of River Jhelum, Paktoon said. He urged the concerned authorities to address the issue promptly to prevent further incidents.
