Landslide damages shops, houses in Samroli on NH
Ramban Oct 12: A sudden landslide triggered from a nearby hillock struck two triple-storey commercial-cum residential buildings in the Narsoo area of Samroli along Srinagar Jammu National Highway (NH-44) in Udhampur district on Sunday.
Fortunately, no loss of life or injuries were reported in the incident.
According to official sources, the landslide occurred abruptly despite clear weather conditions and hit the buildings comprising shops, houses, causing significant structural damage.
The video footage of the incident, showing debris crashing into the buildings, has since gone viral on social media, drawing widespread attention.
“Thankfully, no one was inside the buildings at the time of the incident,” a local official said. “Revenue and police teams are on the ground, monitoring the situation and taking all necessary precautions.”
No Disruption to Highway Traffic
The authorities confirmed that the landslide did not affect vehicular movement on National Highway 44, the only all-weather road connecting the Kashmir valley with the rest of the country. However, the region continues to face challenges following previous landslides and heavy rainfall.
It is important to note that severe rainfall on August 26 and September 2, had already caused widespread damage across Tharad, Balli Nullah, Samroli and nearby areas, affecting shops, residential houses, a petrol pump, and road stretches.
As a result of the earlier damage, NH-44 remained blocked for 15 days at Tharad, Udhampur. Even now, traffic between Jammu and Srinagar is being regulated on alternate days, as road restoration between the Udhampur and Chenani sectors is still ongoing.
Authorities on Alert
The officials in Udhampur confirmed that teams from the Disaster Management, Revenue Department and Police are actively engaged in monitoring vulnerable zones in the Narsoo area and are ensuring safety protocols are in place to prevent any mishaps.
Despite the sunny weather on the day of the incident today, eyewitnesses were shocked at the sudden landslide and the force with which it struck the buildings.
Locals have urged the administration to expedite slope stabilization and restoration work in the region to prevent further landslide incidents.
