Heavy snowfall has severely disrupted normal life in the Warwan and Marwah areas of Kishtwar district in Jammu and Kashmir, blocking roads and isolating communities in these remote valleys.
According to details received by The Chenab Times, a pregnant woman from Jullah village in the Choidraman area of Warwan experienced a deterioration in her health, necessitating urgent medical attention. With all road links completely severed by the snowfall, her family members and local residents carried her on their shoulders across treacherous, snow-covered paths to Aftee village, where medical facilities were available. The journey was undertaken amid harsh weather conditions and difficult terrain, highlighting the extreme challenges faced by residents in these cut-off regions.
Locals described the incident as a testament to community solidarity in the face of adversity. They noted that the woman’s condition worsened suddenly, but the absence of motorable roads left no option other than manual transport. The Warwan area, situated in the upper reaches of Kishtwar district, experiences prolonged isolation during winter months, with roads often remaining blocked for nearly six months each year due to accumulated snow and avalanches.
Residents have repeatedly called for the introduction or expansion of helicopter services in the Marwah and Warwan regions to facilitate the airlifting of critically ill patients during such emergencies. They pointed out that timely helicopter intervention could have reduced risks to the pregnant woman’s life and eased the physical burden on those assisting her. Demands for enhanced aerial medical evacuation have grown in recent years, as locals argue that existing limited chopper operations fall short of the needs in these strategically located but geographically challenging valleys.
The Warwan valley, part of Kishtwar district in the Chenab region, is known for its rugged Himalayan terrain and extreme winter weather. Chenabi residents here face recurring hardships from seasonal inaccessibility, which affects not only healthcare access but also the supply of essential goods and services. Similar incidents of manual evacuations during heavy snowfall have been reported in other parts of Jammu and Kashmir in past winters, underscoring the persistent infrastructure gaps in high-altitude areas.
Authorities have maintained some subsidized helicopter services for Marwah and Warwan, primarily for passenger movement and occasional emergencies, but locals maintain that the frequency and capacity remain inadequate, especially during peak snowfall periods. The recent episode has renewed calls for immediate measures to improve emergency response mechanisms in these isolated pockets.
As snowfall continues to impact the region, residents urge swift action from the district administration and higher authorities to prevent loss of life in future weather-related crises. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities in remote Himalayan communities dependent on fragile connectivity.
The Chenab Times News Desk