Jammu/Rajouri: Nineteen families were evacuated in Rajouri and Samba districts of Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday after a portion of land began sinking due to continuous heavy rains, officials said.
In Rajouri, 11 houses were vacated in Badhaal village, which has been declared a “risk zone,” while eight houses were evacuated in Samba district.
“Authorities fear further damage if the land continues to subside. Alternate arrangements have been provided for the affected families,” said Dil Mir, Additional Deputy Commissioner of Kotranka.
In Samba, heavy rains caused cracks in roads and houses near Jamoda village, situated on the Samba-Mansar-Udhampur road. Land subsidence brought eight houses to the verge of collapse, prompting authorities to evacuate residents to safer locations. Relief materials and temporary accommodation in schools and government buildings have been provided.
Mohammad Anwar, a villager who relocated with his family, described the situation: “The land beneath our houses is sliding, with a long fissure running over half a kilometre, even affecting the main road along the Mansar route.”
Officials noted that houses in the Jamoda settlement in the Nud block, built on elevated land along the road, were severely affected. Initial cracks from the rains on August 27 have worsened, leaving nearly every house at risk. Villagers reported cracks widening daily.
In a separate incident, five houses in Kangota village of Khawas tehsil collapsed following a landslide, though no one was injured. Dil Mir confirmed that relief efforts are underway and rehabilitation measures are being planned.
Over the past month, more than 21 residential houses have collapsed in Kotranka due to heavy rainfall, officials added.
