Use Heating Gadgets with Caution, Urges CM Omar Abdullah
Health Experts Issue Alert, Calling Deaths of Baramulla Family Members a Wake-Up Call
WS/VP Desk
Uri, Jan 07 ; The sky was overcast, and so were their faces. They watched glumly as they bid a tearful goodbye to the five departed family members. Relatives of the victim family, with storm-like expressions, stood in the front row of the funeral, tears rolling down their faces as they cried out, “What happened? Is this a calamity? Is this grief?”
Profound sorrow enveloped the entire border town of Uri in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district as five members of a single family were laid to rest on Monday evening.
The five family members, including a month-old infant and an 18-month-old boy, lost their lives due to suffocation in the Pandrathan area of Srinagar on Sunday evening, where they were living in rented accommodation.
The deceased were identified as Ajaz Ahmad Bhat (38), his wife Saleema (32), and their three children: Areeb (3), Hamza (18 months), and the month-old infant boy.
Meanwhile, the news shocked everyone—across Kashmir, eyes were moist, hearts were heavy, and despair was palpable. The tragedy shattered the peace of the entire valley, leaving hardly anyone untouched by grief.
A wave of mourning swept across Kashmir. Sorrow erupted everywhere, and every corner felt the weight of this tragedy, with the pain being collectively shared.
Locals told The Web Story/The Varmul Post that since late Sunday night, people from all walks of life have been visiting the family’s home in the Gingal area, waiting throughout the day in a somber atmosphere and sharing in the mourning as the community united in grief.
Gingal, a remote area of the border town of Uri, was shrouded in darkness. The weight of mourning brought tears to every eye, and everyone felt crushed under the sorrow. Each face reflected despair, with the same question on everyone’s lips: “What happened? Is this a calamity? Is this grief?”
Amid the mourning, late Sunday evening, the bodies were finally laid to rest in their ancestral graveyard, marking a sorrowful farewell for the family amid collective heartbreak.
Thousands of people across the northern region of Kashmir participated in the last rites of five family members.
Everyone is mourning, and everyone is heartbroken. It’s a tragic loss for the entire area; we have lost our dearest ones, our family members, said Imtiyaz, a local relative.
He mentioned, “This is a great tragedy for the whole community. It is a shock for everyone here.”
He also shared that the deceased left behind four brothers and a bed-ridden father.
Samadullah, a local from Chandwari, another village in Uri, who was also present, told The Web Story/The Varmul Post, “Last night, when I heard this news, my entire family was in tears. It is deeply saddening. I grew up in this village, and I have many memories tied to it. Hearing this incident breaks my heart. I personally knew this family; whenever I passed through here, I used to visit their home. Now that they are gone, I am in mourning, and it is very difficult for me to control my emotions.”
Sajad Hussain, another local sitting in a corner outside the deceased family’s house, was in tears as he spoke with The Web Story/The Varmul Post. He said, “In our grief and mourning, what can we do for this entire community, apart from praying for their forgiveness?”
However, he emphasized that the deceased was working at a hotel in Srinagar and urged the hotel authorities to look after his family, as they are very poor. His father is paralyzed, and his brothers are in a difficult financial situation. “We kindly ask for your help.”
He further appealed to their honorable MLA and the Deputy Commissioner of Baramulla to pay attention to this helpless family during their time of need.
Following the unfortunate incident in which five members of a family, including three children, died of suspected suffocation, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has urged people to be cautious while using heating gadgets.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah urged people to exercise utmost caution while using heating gadgets during the harsh winter months.
He emphasised the importance of adhering to government-issued advisories on the safe use of heating equipment to prevent such tragic incidents.
Meanwhile, health experts also urged people to take precautionary measures to avoid the loss of life.
Kashmir’s leading pulmonologists Dr Naveed Nazir Shah in a video message which accessed by The Web Story/The Varmul Post said Because of winter we use different kinds of appliances to keep rooms warm.
Gas heaters, charcoal and other such appliances consume the oxygen within the particular room and in absence of the proper and due ventilation there is accumulation of obnoxious gases like carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide which are odourless gases and as such people don’t notice the same.
Dr Naveed, who is also HOD of a department in Chest Disease Hospital, said “Initial causes are that one gets dizziness, headache, and fatigue or weakness, shortness of breath, confusion or mental disorientation, chest pain (in severe cases) and falls unconscious,”
Normally hemoglobin carries oxygen from the lungs to the body’s tissues and organs but once carbon monoxide enters the body, it has high affinity for haemoglobin and as such oxygen transportation process gets impaired, so people tend to have dizziness, etc and ultimately the patient succumbs.”
Dr Naveed urged people to take precautionary measures and called the same as the need of the hour. “While we need to keep our room warm, people should use those appliances which normally do not consume oxygen and importantly, there is need to maintain proper ventilation,” he said, adding, “Any such appliance which consumes oxygen need not to be kept functional or in use throughout the night. People must ensure that obnoxious gases find vent outside and at the same time, there is continuous flow of oxygen and that is why proper ventilation is a must.”
Doctors Association Kashmir (DAK) in a statement issued to The Web Story/The Varmul Post, issued a heartfelt appeal to the public to use the safest heating arrangements during the harsh winter months.
President DAK, Dr. MY Tak, expressed profound grief over the incident and emphasized the importance of adhering to stringent safety measures to avoid such preventable tragedies.
“It is devastating to learn that five members of a single family lost their lives due to suffocation. While it is essential to keep our living spaces warm during extremely cold winters, safety must remain the top priority. We urge everyone to adopt heating methods responsibly and ensure vigilant safety measures to avoid incidents related to suffocation and electrical short-circuits,” said Dr. MY Tak.
Dr. Masood Rashid, Sr executive member highlighted the need for awareness regarding heating equipment. “Many families use various heating arrangements, such as gas heaters, kerosene heaters, electric blankets, and blowers, without fully understanding their risks. The lack of awareness or a callous approach can lead to disasters. Hotel owners must also educate tourists about the dangers of unsafe heating appliances, especially gas heaters and electric blankets, which are commonly used in the region.”
Dr Arshed Trag, Vice President DAK, underscored the importance of responsible heating practices during winter. He recommended the following safety measures:
Ensure Proper Ventilation: Avoid using gas or kerosene heaters in closed rooms without an exhaust system, as it can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning.
Switch Off Before Sleeping: Always turn off gas heaters, oil-based heaters, and electric blankets before going to bed.
Annual Maintenance: Have heating equipment, such as furnaces, inspected annually by professionals to ensure they function safely.
Avoid Overloading Circuits: Refrain from plugging multiple heating devices into a single socket to prevent electrical short-circuits.
Install Carbon Monoxide Detectors: Equip homes with carbon monoxide detectors, especially if using gas-based heaters.
Keep Flammable Items Away: Maintain a safe distance between heating appliances and flammable items like curtains, papers, and furniture.
Use Certified Devices: Purchase heating equipment that meets safety standards and has been certified by reputable organizations.
Maintain Optimal Room Temperature
DAK General Secretary, Dr. Owais H. Dar, emphasized the importance of maintaining a safe room temperature. “Keeping indoor temperatures at 19°C or above is crucial for health, especially for children and the elderly. However, the safety of heating methods must not be compromised. Proper precautions can save lives and prevent tragic incidents during winter.”
He further urged local authorities and community leaders to organize awareness campaigns to educate the public about the potential dangers of heating equipment and promote the adoption of safer practices.
“Winter is a challenging time for all, but it must not come at the cost of lives. Let us pledge to prioritize safety in our homes and ensure a warm yet secure environment for our loved ones,” said Dr Aijaz Ahmad, Joint Secretary DAK.
The DAK stands ready to collaborate with stakeholders to enhance public awareness and prevent further tragedies during the winter season the statement further reads.
