Srinagar, April 16 -- The incident occurred at 8:15 am when a boat with at least 15 persons on board, including two women, four school kids and locals was trying to cross from Gandabal to Batwara. The two school kids, accompanied by their mother, were heading for their school on the other side of the river Jehlum.

Late on Tuesday Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, Dr. Bilal Mohiuddin said he has ordered that the rescue operations will continue through the night to enhance efforts to recover the missing persons.

"We have decided to continue with the ongoing rescue operation as the water flow is too heavy which may possibly wash down the drowned persons if we somehow aren't able to trace them soon," Mohiuddin told reporters.

He said that 15 p...