It has crossed all bounds, with the figures related to suffocation deaths in Kashmir touching alarming levels. The suffocation deaths are mostly due to inhaling poisonous gas and smoke or poor ventilation. However, the problem is much deeper and has all been ignored.
When winter becomes biting cold with temperatures dropping below freezing point, many people in Kashmir burn wood, coal, or other fuels for warmth.
The traditional heating and combined with improper ventilation kill kind of suffocating gases such as carbon monoxide; something that severely compromises their health and in many instances leads to fatalities.
On Sunday, a family of five, including a husband and wife and their three wards suffocated to death in Srinagar’s Pandrathan area.
The hostile climate in the region forces families to use oppressive indoor heating appliances such as wood-burning stoves or coal heaters. Unfortunately, these appliances also emit toxic fumes such as carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide, which accumulate in poorly ventilated indoor spaces.
Carbon monoxide in particular is famous for its designation as a ‘silent killer’ because it is colorless, odorless, tasteless, and visible making it nearly impossible to be recognized by any person prior to infestation.
It is sad that the deaths reported in the region come from environmental conditions, less public awareness, lack of safety measures, and insufficient infrastructure.
The most effective way to tackle deaths related to suffocating surroundings is awareness and education. Many lost a life because they didn’t know how improper heating and ventilation could be dangerous.
The dissemination of information and education on security must be among local authorities in collaboration with healthcare professionals.
The government and local NGOs should be bringing about a more effective way of heating people’s homes safely and without having the environment polluted. Only beginning with such subsidized loans would have the government then financing the installation of such heaters. Alternatively, it may be viable in the long term to combine renewable energy heating solutions, such as via photovoltaic or solar-based heaters.
And from there, the responsibility goes on to an individual, then to his community and lastly, eventually to his government. A collective act by the society will be able to eradicate future disasters and secure the invaluable life of Kashmiri people.
