Kangan, Oct 6: The death of an 18-year-old girl after she accidentally fell into a power canal at Bernabugh in Kangan town of central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district has once again raised serious concerns over the safety of the water channel, with locals demanding immediate fencing to prevent further accidents.

The girl, daughter of Nisar Ahmad Chopan of Bernabugh, reportedly slipped into the canal while washing clothes on Monday. Locals rescued her from the canal in an unconscious condition and rushed her to Sub-District Hospital (SDH) Kangan, where doctors declared her dead on arrival.

The incident has reignited concerns among residents, who said similar drowning incidents have occurred in the canal over the years. According to locals, the lack of proper fencing and adequate safety measures has left residents, especially those living close to the canal, vulnerable to such accidents.

Residents have urged the concerned authorities to address the issue on priority and take concrete steps, including fencing vulnerable stretches and restricting access to dangerous points, to prevent further loss of life.