Ramban, Apr 28: All the inhabitants of Nemnad and Telga wards were evacuated to safer places after their areas were declared unsafe as land subsidence continued in Parnote area of Ramban on the fourth consecutive day on Sunday.
Meanwhile, experts of the Geology Survey of India (GSI) were surveying the affected area to know the reason behind land subsidence.
Officials said, “All the inhabitants of Nemnad-Parnote and Telga wards alongside Ramban Gool road were evacuated to safer places by the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) officials as a precautionary measure, given the continuous sinking of land in Parnote Panchayat-A of Ramban.”
They said, “Mohalla Nemnad and Telgha have been declared unsafe for any habitation and movement by district administration Ramban. Therefore, the residents of these areas, neighbourhood as well as other people have been asked not to go to these areas until any other order is issued by the district administration.”
“In case of violation, disciplinary action will be taken,” they stated, while quoting the advisory.
Deputy Commissioner, Bashir Ul Haq Choudary on ‘X’ posted, “Land subsidence in village Parnote has led to sinking in Nimnad and Telga wards. Residents are at risk.” Tehsildar Ramban was instructed by Deputy Commissioner Ramban to evacuate them to safety immediately. “Please heed this warning for your safety,” DC Ramban posted.
Officials said that a total of 100 families along with their livestock were evacuated to safer places as precautionary measures so far from affected areas of Parnote as land subsidence continued.
They were temporarily accommodated in the Community Hall, Panchayat Ghar and other areas in the vicinity.
Due to land subsidence at km-5, Ramban-Gool road was blocked on Thursday evening and power supply was affected in many areas as one 33kv receiving station; three to four HT towers and five dozen houses were damaged in the Parnote area.
The area sinking although took place at a slow pace yet all the agricultural land was destroyed and a large number of pine trees were also uprooted.
“Experts of the Geology Survey of India (GSI) are conducting surveys of the affected area and are on the job to know the reason behind land subsidence.
Authorities concerned are monitoring the situation arising due to land subsidence in Parnote, Ramban,” officials informed.
On the other hand, the officers of GREF, maintaining Ramban-Gool road, said, “Due to continuous land subsidence in another 1 km road stretch in the Parnote area, restoration work has not started yet.”
Meanwhile, former Member of Parliament and contesting candidate of the Congress party, Chowdhary Lal Singh, accompanied by youth working president of Jammu and Kashmir and former national president of NSUI, Fairoz Khan, visited Parnote village to assess the damages in aftermath of the devastating land subsidence that affected more than 50-55 families, with all houses in the 2 km radius damaged to varying degrees.
Expressing concern over the situation, Singh highlighted the pivotal role played by prompt action and the assistance of the local public, NGOs like ‘Team Umeed’, QRT, SDRF and local volunteers in rescuing the affected families.
He emphasized the significant impact on agriculture, horticulture, and allied activities caused by the disaster as land had become useless for reuse.
He urged the concerned departments to conduct a comprehensive study of the causes of the disaster. “It may be a result of man-made activities viz., dumping of muck into the river bed of Chenab which has resulted in change in the direction of the river. Besides, no culvert was there on Gool-Sangaldan road,” he apprehended.
Singh reiterated his demand for immediate relief of Rs 10 lakh to each affected family, job for one member of the family besides other compensation.
Congress leaders assured the affected families of their unwavering support and pledged to champion their cause to ensure that they received the necessary assistance and support to rebuild their lives.
They hoped that the authorities would announce relief measures promptly to alleviate the suffering of the affected families. They also stressed for the early restoration of the Gool-Sangaldan road.