At least 22 families have been transferred to preventive measures due to landslide threats in the Kishwar region of Jamu and Kashmir.
Regional Development Commissioner Rajesh Kumar Shavan conducted a landslide prone area along Kishtwar-Peddar Road along Singrah Nallah in Patharnaki, focusing on assessing the region’s vulnerability to Landslides and assessing the progress of mitigation measures.
“Due to the continuous sinking and lurking mountain threats, we have taken some precautions to achieve local safety. About 22 families in the Peak Village have been evacuated and tents and rations are provided. However, none of these houses have opened any cracks.
Naik is monitoring the landslide-prone areas, saying that due to the sinking, part of the road was damaged, while continuous shooting stones from the hills hindered the road cleaning. He said the regional government is full of vitality about the situation and is closely watching to avoid any adverse events.
The Machail Mata Shrine reopened the pilgrims just a week ago, marking the beginning of the annual Yatra season. However, the closure of the road and the threat of landslides near Pachenaki hit Yatra. Local residents accused the mass explosion of the executive agency working on the 624 MW Kiru Hydro-electric project, a river program, which is the cause of the horrible situation.
When the Regional Development Commissioner visited the site on Friday, officials from the General Reserve Engineering Force (GREF) briefed the status of ongoing restoration and construction works on the damaged route. After a thorough inspection of the site, DDC issued the necessary instructions to the Gref authorities to speed up the work while ensuring safety and sustainability, an official said.
He directed the local government to remain highly alert and communicated to the Grave authorities the importance of strengthening the affected parts to ensure connectivity and maintain commuters, especially during the monsoon season. The Deputy Commissioner advises the hydropower project authorities to strictly adhere to the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to minimize further impacts and avoid exacerbating existing cracks.
The Pathernaki and Kiru sections of the road are very easy to slide and are still at risk of interference. Continuous monitoring and rapid responsiveness of all stakeholders is therefore still necessary, the official said.
BJP’s local MLA Sunil Sharma called for a permanent solution to the problem, saying the region has been prone to landslides over the past year and a half. “The agencies concerned have been temporarily managing the slideshow to avoid traffic disruptions, but the problem needs a permanent solution,” he said.
Sharma, who is also the leader of the opposition in the legislative session, said he had raised the issue with the deputy commissioner, “we look forward to a permanent solution to the issue”. The closure of the road has caused great hardship for residents of Paddar and Pangi, who are now using another hiking route to get it in and out of the area.
