Land Subsidence Triggers Cracks In Rajouri Village, Two Families Shifted To Safety

RAJOURI, June 14: Two families were shifted to safer locations after land subsidence triggered cracks in houses, cattle sheds, roads and agricultural fields in the Kotli Kalaban area of Manjakote tehsil in Rajouri district, officials said on Saturday.

The cracks, which began appearing on Saturday, widened at several locations, raising concern among residents. Two residential houses developed visible fissures in walls and floors, rendering them unsafe for habitation.

Acting on the directions of Deputy Commissioner Rajouri, Abhishek Sharma, a team of revenue officials led by Assistant Commissioner Revenue (ACR) Jahangir Khan and Tehsildar Mazhar Ali, who holds additional charge of Manjakote, visited the affected site near the National Highway to assess the situation.

During the inspection, officials observed that the subsidence had occurred outside the Right of Way (ROW) of the National Highway. Besides the damaged houses, cracks were also reported on a road and adjoining fields in the area.

Local residents alleged that the situation may have been aggravated by ongoing highway widening work and recent heavy rainfall.

As a precautionary measure, the administration evacuated the affected families and assured them of all necessary assistance and support.

Deputy Commissioner Abhishek Sharma said the subsidence was possibly linked to road-widening activities in the area, though a detailed report was awaited. He said no major damage to public property had been reported so far and senior revenue officials had been deputed to monitor the situation.

The district administration is keeping a close watch on the affected area and coordinating with concerned departments to take further measures if the situation deteriorates, officials said.