Baramulla, May 08: Incessant rains have caused extensive damage to several structures, including houses, in the Kandi area of north Kashmir’s Baramulla district.
According to local residents, the worst-affected areas include Katiyawali, and Lateefabad, where around 20 houses and other buildings have collapsed or suffered significant damage due to the landslides.
The incessant rains that began last week have triggered landslides and land slipping in the area, leading to the destruction of numerous properties and infrastructure.
Local residents said that the erosion began a few years back and has since caused cracks in several houses.
“Around 20 houses have been affected, with three completely destroyed,” they said.
Despite repeated pleas for intervention, affected residents claim that no officials have visited their area except for the Patwari.
However, in-charge Tehsildar Baramulla Rakesh Kumar said that a revenue team visited the area and took stock of the situation.
The villages in Kandi area of Baramulla are prone to landslides and land slipping include Kawhar, Frasthar, Raipora, Wahdina, Shumlaran, Nowgam, Thandakasi and Laridora.
Residents say that the cracks have gradually widened due to the ongoing erosion, and this year, after incessant rains the situation has worsened.
Many houses are now deemed unsafe for habitation, forcing families to relocate to more secure areas.
“We have been seeking the attention of officials, but it seems like our pleas have fallen on deaf ears,” said Ghulam Hassan, a resident of Katiyawali.
He said that the authorities must take cognizance of the matter and implement necessary measures to ensure our safety.
The residents of Katiyawali, Lateefabad and other villages of Kandi belt in Baramulla are demanding the allocation of government land in a safer location to construct new houses and live securely.
They say that their repeated requests have gone unanswered and fear that officials are waiting for a tragic incident to occur before taking their concerns seriously.
“The urgency of the situation calls for immediate attention from the authorities to prevent further damage and provide a suitable resolution to the affected families,” said Iftikhar Khan, another resident.
In-charge Tehsildar Baramulla told Rising Kashmir that a revenue team had assessed the situation.
He said that the affected families were shifted to safe houses while a few others have shifted to their relative’s houses.
“Our revenue team identified the freshly damaged houses in the area while as few previously damaged houses have also been identified and relief work has been already started in the area,” he added.
He said that the authorities have deployed multiple teams of rescue personnel to the area to assist in the relief efforts.
