At least 13 families have been shifted to safer places after their houses were endangered/damaged due to a landslide in the remote hilly village of Duksar Dali n Jammu and Kashmir’s Ramban district, officials said on Sunday.
The move in Duksar Dal, in Sangaldan area of Gool subdivision — over 45km from the district headquarters — came a fortnight after the Ramban district administration had evacuated four-five families from another hilly hamlet, Sujmatna, in Ramsoo, to safer locations after their residential houses became vulnerable following a landslide on February 6. Earlier on February 3, around 19 residential houses, a mosque, and a madrasa developed cracks due to land sinking at Nai Basti-Thatri of Doda district.
“A total of 13 houses were declared endangered due to a landslide at Duksar Dal villlage. The affected families were shifted and provided tents, ration, utensils, and blankets as immediate relief,” Gool sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) Tanveer-ul-Majeed Wani said, adding that any activity in the area has been restricted till Geological Survey of India experts visit and analyse the situation.
The SDM said that the land started sliding on February 3, affecting a local graveyard and agricultural fields as well. “Initially, five families were evacuated. However, the landslides increased in the area and posed a danger to the remaining houses and the administration shifted all 13 families from the landslide-prone area.”
“Locals are panicking as we have never witnessed such a thing in the past. The administration is keeping a close watch on the situation and people are requested to remain calm,” the SDM said, adding that the affected families will be provided adequate relief after assessing the damage. He assured the compensation would be released within a week.
SDM Wani added that being a strategic point of view for defence personnel, the alternative route between Sangaldan-Gool-Dhara-Salbala Road will be made motorable for connectivity for the area. “We have requested GRFF authorities to employ men and machinery to make that alternate route open for defence personnel and the public as well,” he said.
