Diplomat Correspondent
Kulgam, Jan 21(DD): In a heartbreaking incident, a family in Gudder village of Kulgam district has been devastated by the loss of two members to asphyxiation within just 17 days.
Fehmeeda Begum, a 65-year-old woman, passed away in a hospital on Tuesday, following the tragic death of her 24-year-old son, Nisar Ahmad Khan, earlier this month.
The tragedy unfolded when both mother and son were found unconscious in their home after keeping a charcoal heater on overnight in a poorly ventilated room. Despite immediate medical attention—first at District Hospital Kulgam, then GMC Anantnag, and finally SKIMS Srinagar—Nisar succumbed to the effects of carbon monoxide poisoning on January 4, leaving Fehmeeda fighting for her life in the ICU until her passing on January 21.
Yawar Ahmad, the lumberdar of Gudder village, expressed the community’s grief and shock over the incident, noting that the family is now left with only one surviving son.
Experts have long cautioned against the use of traditional heating methods like charcoal heaters in closed spaces, as they can lead to the accumulation of toxic gases, posing a fatal risk. They urge people to ensure proper ventilation, avoid leaving heaters on overnight, and adopt safer heating practices during the winter months.
This tragic event highlights the urgent need for community awareness about heating safety and access to safer, more efficient heating alternatives in cold regions like Jammu and Kashmir.(DD)