India: Sinking land threatens Kupwara hamlets

April 16, 2014

Haihama (Kupwara), Apr 15: Panic gripped this remote area of Kupwara district after the inhabitants noticed a barren hillock starting caving in.
Reports said that a hillock was slowly caving in at Jugtyal village in Haihama area, posing threat to at least 10 residential houses of Moghal Mohalla, located in the foothills.
“Cracks in rocks are getting bigger and bigger with every passing day threatening the residential houses of the hamlet, located in its foot hills. Frequent rains are further disintegrating the rocks which are about to slip down,” locals told Greater Kashmir.
“With the prevalent threat of landslides and shooting stones, we are not able to venture out in our fields which are located just in the shadow of this hillock. Our cattle are also at risk due shooting stones,” the panic- stricken locals said.
They have appealed authorities to depute a team from Geology and Mining department so that situation at ground is assessed and necessary steps taken.
About two kilometers from here at Panchadori habitation of Jugtyal village, rains from past couple of months have resulted in earth sinking and a local government school facing looming land slide, said Muhammad Aziz, a local resident.
  “We appeal authorities to take measures for safeguarding the school and the students so that any big eventuality is avoided beforehand,” added he.
Meanwhile, there are reports of land sinking from Lamchak and Dadchak in Halmatpora area as well.
“Cracks are getting larger with every passing day and spreading to nearby areas. Several of our residential houses have developed cracks. During rains we pass sleepless nights due to threat of earth sinking and damage to our houses,” said Anayatullah Khan, Sarpanch of Lamchak village.

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