Experts from IIT visiting Thathri
Sanjeev K Sharma
JAMMU, Feb 5: The district administration of Ramban has shifted 4-5 families from a hilly hamlet Sujmatna in Ramsoo to a safer location after their residential houses developed cracks and became more prone to landslide as the two already damaged and vacated structures behind these started sliding ahead.
Sources informed that the sliding was triggered by earth-cutting work for widening the National Highway (NH) and the rainfall some 4-5 days back increased its pace.
When contacted, Tehsildar concerned, Nasir Javid said 4-5 families whose residential structures came under danger zone have now been shifted to a Lodgement Centre in Ramsoo which has been established at a Government school to facilitate passengers when the NH gets blocked. Click here to watch video
“I have visited the spot in Sujmatna and there were cracks in the affected houses,” he said adding: “If the slide proceeds further then there is a possibility of damage to 13 more residential structures there.”
The Tehsildar also informed that owners of the two-three affected structures, which were already vacated, have been compensated but now with further land cutting these vacated structures have also started sliding further.
“This is hilly and mostly slide prone area and if it rains again sliding will again start and there will be a possibility that it may then damage other 13 houses ahead,” he said.
Locals of the area informed that the process of land cutting for NH widening has been going on for the last 6-7 years.
Meanwhile, DC Doda, Vishesh Mahajan informed that the Geological Survey of India (GSI) team, which had collected samples from the affected places at Navi Basti in Thathri area of Doda where land sinking had left cracks in the residential houses, has now left for Jammu.
“The GSI team will submit its report within a day or two,” Mahajan said adding: “Tomorrow experts from Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Jammu are also visiting Thathri to see what exactly is the reason behind land-sinking there.”
He also said that from district administration Doda, Executive and Superintendent Engineers will also remain there to see what advice the visiting experts give.
The DC Doda further said that no more people were shifted to relief camp established at a Government school in the area for the affected people whose residential structures have developed cracks.
He said that 2-3 structures in Navi Basti have so far collapsed but to some extent only as some structure got its wall collapsed and other its roof.
It is pertinent to mention here that Navi Basti—a hamlet in Thathri area of Doda district of J&K witnessed land sinking which triggered cracks in some 19 residential and other structures there including a mosque and a Madrassa.
The district administration had shifted some residents of the affected houses at a relief camp while other people have moved to the houses of their relatives.
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