Excelsior Correspondent
UDHAMPUR, Apr 19: Over 70 sheep and goats, belonging to two nomadic families, died due to a suspected case of hypothermia in a high-altitude village in Panchari tehsil of Udhampur district.
Reports said that 73 sheep and goats along with two horses were found dead in Meer village of Panchari during the intervening night of Friday and Saturday when there was heavy rainfall in the area resulting into sharp decline in temperature.
The dead livestock belonged to four Bakerwal families, which were on their way from Jammu towards upper reaches in Srinagar and had put temporary stay in the village Upper Meer, Sankri area.
As per the details, Abdul Qyoom, son of Pitu of Jadual Jammu, suffered the loss of one horse, 6 sheep and 9 goats; Mohd Gulzar, son of Mohd Ismail of Sarood Jammu had loss of one horse, 8 sheep and 9 goats; Mohd Rayaz, son of Mohd Daud of Sival Akhnoor suffered loss of 5 sheep and 13 goats while Mohd Mian, son of Gh Hussain of Sarood Jammu had loss of 5 sheep and 20 goats.
After receiving information about the incident, the district administration deputed the in-charge of the Sheep Husbandry Department of Meer Panchari to the spot for taking stock of the situation and conducting post-mortem of the dead animals.
As per the preliminary report of the District Sheep Husbandry Officer of Udhampur, these deaths have taken place due to hypothermia as there was heavy rainfall in the higher reaches and temperature dipped substantially. Some lambs, sheep/goats could not resist the abrupt change in temperature and died,” said the officials adding that the department carried out post-mortem of the animals and a detailed report was awaited
Meanwhile, on the directions of DC Udhampur Dr Piyush Singla, ration and cash assistance of Rs 80,000 under Red Cross were provided to the affected nomad families. Panchari Police has registered the case in this connection.
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