Baramulla, Apr 30: In the aftermath of devastating landslides in several villages of north Kashmir’s Baramulla district, around 120 individuals from 19 families of Laridora village in the Narvaw area of the district have found refuge in the nearby Government Higher Secondary School (GHSS) Laridora.
The calamity, which unfolded on Monday morning, left a trail of destruction and a residential house in Laridora village was hit by a landslide which forced the families to move out of their homes.
The incessant rains across Kashmir caused a flood-like situation following which land sliding was reported in various parts of the Valley.
Meanwhile, on the Baramulla outskirts, the families of Laridora village were evacuated from their residential houses and shifted to GHSS Laridora by the district administration on Monday morning.
“The situation was frightening as one of the residential houses in Laridora village was hit by a landslide following which two families were shifted to the nearby school,” local Lambardar, Manzoor Ahmad Khan told Greater Kashmir.
He said that the continuous rains frightened the residents as landslides were reported in the village following which all the families were relocated by the district administration of Baramulla.
For these families, the school has become more than a place of learning or providing education to the younger generations.
“The relocation of our families from houses to this school has come with mixed emotions. On one hand, we are happy that we have been relocated to a safe location but at the same time we are concerned about our homes, which can get hit by landslides if the rainfall continues,” Khan said.
Meanwhile, district administration Baramulla made all arrangements for these relocated families and is providing them with all essentials, particularly meals.
“The administration also provided us with blankets. Some families carried their beddings from their homes. We are satisfied with the arrangements made by the district administration,” Khan said.
These families now relocated to GHSS Laridora recall the memories of the 1990s landslide when their loved ones fell victim to the landslide.
“Laridora village was hit by landslides in the 1990s in which few people from our village lost their lives. Then again in 2014, due to another landslide, a lot of damage occurred in the village,” the locals said.
The families have been accommodated in four halls of the newly-constructed school building where they share meals and spend time together.