Three families comprising ten members faced evacuation in Ramban district after reports of land subsidence and cracks in their residential houses. This decision came after rising concerns on Monday due to recent heavy rains in Jammu and Kashmir.
The subsidence occurred at Kulthi Chakka Kundi in Tehsil Rajgarh, close to the Chenab River. Local officials noted that the situation sparked panic among villagers, alerting administrative and rescue teams to swiftly respond to the crisis.
According to Tehsildar Rajgarh Major Singh, one non-residential structure owned by Bhagat Ram was washed away. Additionally, significant cracks appeared in the homes of Chaat Ram, Chaman Lal, and Bhushan Lal. The subsidence has escalated over the past few days, raising alarm within the community.
Major Singh visited the scene alongside a State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) contingency. They promptly relocated the affected families to safer locations and provided them with tents for temporary accommodation.
In his ongoing efforts, the Naib Tehsildar and other officials remain stationed in the village, closely monitoring the evolving situation. However, locals reported further damage, including cracks and structural harm to homes owned by Dev Raj, Hari Ram, Santosh Singh, Fallal Singh, and Shashram.
BJP Ramban district president Neelam Kumar Lange expressed concern on-site, advocating for compensation and rehabilitation plans for the displaced families. However, he criticized the absence of any ministers or MLAs from the National Conference-led government, implying negligence in addressing the residents’ plight.
Residents expressed unease, suspecting that recent water releases from the Baglihar Hydroelectric Power Project could have worsened ground instability following heavy rains. However, officials are still determining the underlying causes behind the alarming land subsidence and the resulting cracks.
In a separate incident, SDRF personnel rescued a non-local worker who was swept away along with a sand-extraction boat in the Chenab River near Pul Doda in Doda district earlier on Monday morning. This worker operated a sand-extraction machine contracted by a private entity. Efforts remain underway to retrieve the machinery from the river.
This emergency highlights the importance of preparedness and community support during unpredictable natural disasters. As authorities work diligently to assess damages and ensure the safety of residents, proactive measures can mitigate future risks stemming from environmental changes such as heavy rainfall.
