Villagers in Kandi belt of north Kashmir’s Baramulla district on Thursday carried a pregnant woman on their shoulders for several miles after heavy snow blocked all the roads down the mountain.
Begum Jan, according to her family members, went into labour on Thursday morning at her home in Goriwan Namblan.
Without losing any time waiting for an ambulance as the road was closed due to heavy snowfall, the villagers wrapped Jan in a quilt and asked her to lie down in a makeshift cot and started the long trek downhill, trudging for four hours through snow before reaching nearest Public Health Centre Sheeri.
“All along the route due to heavy snowfall it was difficult to balance ourselves with the patient on our shoulders, however, somehow we managed it. It was a very difficult journey. The entire area is covered with heavy snow while there is no sign of any snow cutter machines in the area,” said Lateef Ahmad Sood, husband of the patient.
The Block Medical Officer, Primary Health Centre Sheeri while talking to Greater Kashmir said since the area is far-off and has witnessed heavy snowfall, the ambulance could not reach there.
“However, after family members trekked down the hill, we received the patient midway and immediately shifted her to PHC Sheeri wherefrom she was referred to Baramulla district hospital where she is stated to be stable,” said Farooq Ahmad Sheikh, Block Medical Officer, Primary Heath Centre Sheeri.
“Due to the heavy snowfall and no road connectivity we could not send ambulance to the exact location. However, the patient was received midway and is absolutely fine,” he said.
