Day 3: Land sinking continues in Parnote

Ramban, Apr 27:  Following heavy rains, the affected families of the Parnote land sinking area have been temporarily relocated to Community Centre Ramban while a few families have taken shelter in the houses of their relatives and neighbours in safer zones.

However, the relief camp and District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) Ramban camp office continued to remain functioning in Parnote panchayat.

ADMINISTRATION MONITORING SITUATION: DC RAMBAN

Deputy Commissioner, Baseer-Ul-Haq Chaudhary said, “As the land subsidence continued, a total of 100 families, along with their livestock, were evacuated so far, from the land-sinking affected area of Parnote, to safer places as precautionary measures.”

He said despite the challenges posed by inclement weather, families were relocated to the Community Hall at Maitra in Ramban, with relief and support services operating from Parnote panchayat.

“The administration is on high alert and is monitoring the situation,” he said.

Meanwhile, officials said that temporary relief camps and community kitchens were established, while a team of geologists sent by the Divisional Commissioner Jammu conducted surveys of the area.

They took samples of soil from sinking areas for testing in Parnote. Officials said, "Our priority was to relocate the affected families to safer places; the second priority was to establish tents and provide them with medical and other facilities. Our third priority is to assess damages caused by the natural calamity."

They said, "A team of administration, led by Deputy Commissioner, Baseer-Ul-Haq Chaudhary, who is also Chairman of the District Disaster Management Authority, is stationed in the area to monitor the situation."

They said teams of NDRF, SDRF, Police; civil Quick Response Team (QRT) personnel; medical teams and other social organizations were stationed for rescue operations.

A 24X7 control room, supervised by Nodal Officer camp (BDO Ramban) Yasir Wani, has been established in the area.

The land subsidence at km 5 on Thursday evening blocked the Ramban-Gool road. Power supply was also affected in many areas as a 33 kv receiving station; three to four HT towers and five dozen houses were damaged due to continuous land subsidence in the Parnote area of Ramban.

The area in some places in Parnote sank 20 to 30 meters and all the agricultural activities were disturbed.

Due to the sinking process, a large number of pine trees were also uprooted.