Srinagar, April 27: The torrential rains have caused landslides and land sinking in Halmathpora area of north Kashmir’s Kupwara district affecting many families and causing fear among inhabitants.
Sajad Ahmad, a resident of Halmathpora said that the torrential rains have caused landslides in Nordad Mohallah which has affected many families.
“There are some 12 residential houses that are at risk of facing the damage as it is a landslide-prone area. Some four families have been shifted to safer places for their safety,” he said.
The resident said that the major landslides have caused fear and psychosis among the local residents who reside near the landslide-hit areas and seek intervention of the government. “If there are more rains it may cause further damage to the land and residential houses,” he said.
The resident requested the district administration Kupwara to provide some kind of relief to the affected families so that they do not suffer as rains continue in the area.
The residents said that initially they witnessed cracks in the hill, followed by land sinking and damage to their property. The landslides have also caused cracks in residential houses.
“Due to the fear we are unable to sleep. Some of the families are staying in the houses of neighbours and few have been shifted,” he added.
The resident demanded that the concerned department should take concrete measures to prevent the landslides in the area to prevent further property damage.
“There is a dire need of construction of concrete walls that can help to prevent landslides in the area. We have already raised this issue many times,” he said.
District Mineral Officer Kupwara, Sujjad Ahmad Qureshi said that a team of Geology and Mining has visited the spot on Thursday and they have conducted proper survey of the area. “The team will submit the report about the same with one or two days,” he said.
Similarly, in Srinagar also the River Jhelum embankment near Peerzu restaurant has caved in after rains raising concerns from the local residents.
