Senior scientists’ team surveys affected area

Ramban, May 8: A five-member team of expert scientists, deputed by National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Wednesday conducted a detailed survey of Parnote area, affected by land-subsidence phenomenon, in Ramban.

After an initial survey, experts ruled out any human interference behind the land sinking phenomenon and stated that it was a natural calamity. They also advised people not to venture into the affected area as the risk of the sinking of land was still persistent.

The team will stay here till Friday and will analyse causes; precautions; feasibility of habitation and agriculture activities in Parnote, post-land subsidence.

Officials said that on the requisition of District Disaster Management Authority, Ramban, National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) constituted this team on the instructions of the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Government of India.

The team reached land subsidence-affected area of Parnote in Ramban, for the comprehensive survey on Wednesday.

Officials said the team of five different technical experts, constituted by NDMA and led by Prof D P Kanungo, Chief Scientist from CBRI, comprised Dipali Jindal, senior consultant (Landslide and Avalanches) MDMA; Ranu Chauhan, senior consultant (Earthquake and Risk Mitigation); Vivek Coelho, Consultant (Recovery & Reconstruction) from UNDP and Dr Ravinder Singh from NIDM.

The team visited the land subsidence-affected Parnoteh area of Ramban and started conducting a comprehensive survey.

“The experts conducted a thorough survey of the area and are busy in the examination of the reasons behind the land subsidence in the Parnote area of the Ramban district. The team will stay here for this purpose till Friday,” officials said.

After conducting a day-long survey of the area on Wednesday, D P Kanungo, while speaking to media, said, “Prima facie, it appears to be a natural calamity.” He ruled out any man-made activity behind land subsidence. Experts said clay soil absorbed water and in the absence of discharge, a force was created and mud flow-type slides appeared and advised people not to venture into the area as the risk of land subsidence still persisted.

Prof Kanungo said the team would submit a comprehensive report to the ministry (MHA) for the sustainable development of the area post-survey.

The team will also propose precautions to prevent future losses caused by mud-flow slides. Additionally, they are evaluating the feasibility of habitation and agricultural activities in the future.

“People should not enter the affected area for agricultural or habitation purposes until the area is declared safe and stabilised,” the team of experts warned.

“The team is busy conducting a thorough examination of the reasons behind the land subsidence in the Parnote area of Ramban and will submit its report to the central government, NDMA, New Delhi,” officials said.