A tragic incident unfolded on Friday evening when two boats carrying five passengers overturned in Srinagar’s iconic Dal Lake, leaving one person, Tawfeeq Ahmad Chopan, feared dead.

Four others, including a tourist family and a boatman, were rescued, officials confirmed. The mishap, triggered by high-speed winds sweeping through Srinagar and other parts of the Kashmir Valley, occurred near Duck Park around 6 p.m., disrupting the serene waters of the lake, a major tourist attraction.

The Quick Response Team (QRT) of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), alongside Fire and Emergency Services and local boatmen, swiftly launched a rescue operation.

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The four survivors were safely evacuated and provided medical attention, with no reports of serious injuries. Chopan, a resident of Jogi Lanker, Rainawari, remains missing, and rescue efforts were suspended at nightfall due to poor visibility. Authorities plan to resume the search at dawn, employing divers and advanced equipment to locate him.

The incident has raised concerns about safety protocols for boating in Dal Lake, especially during adverse weather. Locals noted that sudden windstorms, though rare, can pose risks to shikaras and smaller vessels.

The Jammu and Kashmir administration has ordered an inquiry to assess whether safety guidelines were followed. 

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