Amid road closure, woman forced to deliver baby at home, infant dies

Srinagar : A woman at Gadole area of Kokernag in South Kashmir’s Anantnag district was forced to deliver her baby at home after failing to reach the hospital due to unclear roads following the heavy snowfall. However, the infant died shortly after the birth, the family said.
The woman, identified as Masrat Jan, wife of Nawaz Ahmad Magray of Magraypora Gadole, delivered the baby boy on Saturday around 11:00 AM. A relative, Bilal Ahmad Magray, said that impassable roads left them with no option but to manage the delivery at home.
“We repeatedly contacted the Tehsil administration and officials responsible for road clearance from early morning, but no assistance was provided. Not even a JCB was sent to clear the snow. The road remains blocked, and the woman is yet to be shifted to a healthcare facility,” he said, adding that despite efforts by Asha workers and health officials, they were unable to reach the family due to the unclear roads.
The family has demanded immediate measures to improve road clearance and healthcare accessibility in the area to prevent such incidents in the future.
SDM Kokarnag, Suheel Ahmad Lone, said “The administration tried its best to reach the destination but couldn’t due to heavy snowfall. We sent a vehicle, but the road was slippery and snowbound. The woman delivered at home, but this is not a case of medical negligence.”
He further said that 80% of the roads in Kokernag belt have been cleared of snow, and all roads are expected to be cleared by late evening. He also said that electricity has been restored to most areas in Kokarnag