Land Subsidence Forces Evacuation of Three Families in Ramban

SRINAGAR AUGUST 24: Three families comprising 10 members were evacuated after severe land subsidence damaged residential houses and caused cracks in a village along the Chenab River in Rajgarh tehsil of Jammu and Kashmir’s Ramban district, officials said on Monday.The land subsidence in Ramban was reported at Kulthi Chakka Kundi, triggering concern among residents, particularly after recent heavy rainfall in the district. Administrative, revenue and rescue teams reached the affected area and shifted the families to safer locations.Tehsildar Rajgarh Major Singh said a non-residential structure belonging to Bhagat Ram was washed away, while major cracks developed in the houses of Chaat Ram, Chaman Lal and Bhushan Lal over the past few days.Singh visited the site along with a State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) team and oversaw the evacuation of the affected families. Tents were also provided as temporary accommodation, while revenue officials continued monitoring the situation.Residents reported that cracks and damage had also appeared in several other houses in the area, raising further concerns about ground instability and structural safety in Ramban.The exact cause of the land subsidence and damage to houses has not yet been established, officials said. Some residents, however, expressed apprehension that water released from the Baglihar Hydroelectric Power Project following heavy rainfall may have contributed to the ground instability.BJP Ramban district president Neelam Kumar Lange also visited the affected area and sought compensation and rehabilitation for the displaced families. He also raised concerns over the absence of ministers or MLAs from the National Conference-led government at the site.Meanwhile, in a separate incident in neighbouring Doda district, the SDRF rescued a person after he was swept away by strong currents in the Chenab River near Pul Doda. Efforts were also underway to retrieve a sand-extraction boat that was swept away.The incidents come amid heavy rainfall, rising water levels and weather-related concerns across Jammu and Kashmir, with authorities continuing to monitor vulnerable areas and advise residents to remain cautious.