Yogesh
Srinagar, Sep 9: The land subsidence and mudslides in the Pir Panjal region of Jammu and Kashmir, triggered by continuous rainfall, have caused extensive damage in Poonch district’s Mendhar subdivision.
In Kala Ban village, over 30 structures, including houses, two government schools, a mosque, and a cemetery, have been affected by the subsidence.
Residents said that more than two dozen homes in Kala Ban have developed cracks or are at risk of collapse. They said the ground continues to shift, forcing many families to leave their homes and move to safer locations.
Officials confirmed the scale of the damage, saying that buildings, including public infrastructure, have been affected. “Immediate priority is relocating affected families, and relief efforts are ongoing,” they said, adding that the continued movement of land is complicating rescue operations.
The subsidence has also disrupted connectivity. Over 50 meters of the Kala Ban road have slid into a nearby gorge, stopping vehicle movement and isolating the area. Road closures have affected the delivery of relief and essential supplies.
The situation has been further affected by the closure of the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, which has diverted all traffic onto the Mughal Road. This diversion has caused congestion on the Rajouri-Poonch National Highway, extending travel time between Jammu and Rajouri from three hours to up to 15 hours.
The bottleneck is particularly severe in Nowshera and surrounding areas, where a tunnel is under construction and the road operates as a single lane. Similar traffic delays have been reported in Poonch, with queues forming along the highway.
Residents said the disruptions have affected patients requiring urgent medical care. Landslides and road blockages, particularly at locations such as Kalidar, have delayed ambulances and access to hospitals in Jammu and Srinagar. (KNO)
