Drowning incidents rising in Kashmir, SDRF turns to drone-based rescues

A sharp rise in drowning incidents, many linked to suicide attempts, has emerged as a growing concern across Kashmir, prompting the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) to introduce drone-assisted rescue operations to ensure quicker and more effective responses.According to data accessed by Rising Kashmir, the SDRF has recorded a noticeable spike in drowning cases in recent months, leading the agency to explore technological interventions such as high-resolution drones and surveillance equipment. The technology will be deployed not only for water rescues but also for natural calamities including earthquakes, fires, and road accidents.As per figures, 18 persons were rescued in 2024 after either jumping or accidentally falling into water bodies across the Valley. In the same period, 51 bodies were retrieved, while seven remain untraced. Between January and May 10, 2025, another 14 bodies were recovered, and two persons were rescued; operations continue to trace two others still missing.Describing the trend as “deeply disturbing,” SSP SDRF Kashmir Masroor Ahmad Mir told Rising Kashmir that while not all incidents are suicide-related, a significant number are.“Some people slip into rivers accidentally, but a large portion of these incidents are attempted suicides,” he said. “It’s a trend that cannot be ignored.”To enhance response times and precision, the SSP said that the SDRF is also planning to roll out a toll-free helpline number in the coming weeks. “Currently, we get a mix of genuine and hoax calls. The new helpline will streamline this process,” the SSP said.Asked about modern measures for timely rescue operations, he said the SDRF is all set to go hi-tech. “We are procuring high-resolution cameras and drones to launch quick rescue and to ensure precious lives are saved. This may take a few months but we will get the gadgets,” Mir said.He said that SDRF battalions have been divided into Quick Response Teams (QRTs). “But I would suggest that we need to find the root cause as to why the people, rather young boys and girls, are jumping into rivers and water bodies like Dal Lake, Nigeen Lake and Manasbal in Ganderbal to end lives,” the SSP SDRF said. About the equipment, the SDRF is already laced with good equipment but as the challenges emerge, we will get fresh equipment.“Even though we already have drones, we will get night vision drones, pay-load drones and search and rescue drones as well,” he said. He said all rescue operations are dependent on the local population. “We can’t launch rescue operations without locals. Their help is of great help,” he said. The SSP SDRF said that the Force is also studying high altitude lakes and glaciers so that rescues are prompt in the areas that include Amarnath cave shrine route.