KISHTWAR, September 30: At least 8–10 residential houses, along with cow sheds, were gutted in a devastating midnight fire at Mungli village in the remote Warwan area of Kishtwar district, highlighting concerns over the lack of dedicated firefighting infrastructure in the far-flung region.
The fire was eventually brought under control after local residents, police personnel, officials and others worked to contain the flames. A JCB operator also joined the firefighting efforts.
The Fire and Emergency Services Department reportedly dispatched a vehicle from Larnoo in Anantnag district, but it took around three hours to reach the affected village because of the difficult terrain and long distance.
The administration has begun assessing the damage, including losses to houses, livestock, ration and other essential supplies that families had stored ahead of the harsh winter season.
Locals Demand Dedicated Fire Station
The incident has renewed anger among residents of Warwan and Marwah, who say they have repeatedly demanded a dedicated Fire and Emergency Services station in the area.
Retired Master Haji Ghulam Mohudin Mehru criticised the authorities for what he described as continued inaction on the long-pending demand. He recalled that during Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s visit to Warwan following the Mulwarwan fire incident, residents had specifically sought the establishment of a fire station.
Residents said Kishtwar has witnessed numerous major fires over the past two decades, causing extensive losses to homes and livestock. They cited the 2008 Margi village fire, in which more than 180 houses were reportedly destroyed.
Harsh Terrain Raises Emergency Response Concerns
The latest incident has once again brought emergency-response challenges in Warwan and Marwah into focus. Residents say the absence of a nearby fire station can result in critical delays, particularly during periods of difficult road and weather conditions.
The region also experiences severe winters, with residents reporting temperatures dropping to around minus 25°C. Locals have further called for better weather-monitoring facilities, arguing that remote areas such as Warwan receive limited coverage compared with established winter destinations.
Residents are now seeking the immediate establishment of Fire and Emergency Services stations in Warwan and Marwah, along with improved disaster-response infrastructure and weather-monitoring facilities.
