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Three days after a massive land sinkage that damaged over 50 houses in Pernote village and a 500-metre stretch of road between Ramban and Gool, the Geological Survey of India (GSI) is investigating the land sinking.

 

A total of 100 families have been forced to evacuate to safer locations in government buildings and a panchayat ghar.

 

The administration has provided full support to the victims and assisted them with "all necessary life-sustaining facilities, including food, water, and bedding," according to a senior officer.

 

Sinking Pernote village in Ramban district of J&K pic.twitter.com/iDIeufsHDw

— Weatherman Shubham (@shubhamtorres09) April 27, 2024

GSI has started collecting samples from the sites to ascertain the causes of the land sinkages in the region.

 

Meanwhile, more than 50 houses have been destroyed as a result of a huge ground sinking in the Pernote region on the Ramban-Gool route since Thursday evening.

 

Additionally, the sinking has destroyed many pine trees, power lines, roads, and water pipes. As a result, nearly 60,000 people in the Gool sub-division lost communication with the Ramban district headquarters.

 

Affected families from Nimnar and Telka Mohalla have begun migrating to safer regions and temporary shelters given by local authorities.

 

The Quick Response Team, SDRF, and police are all working together to rescue people, and medical teams have been dispatched to help those in need.

 

As the situation evolves, the District Administration Ramban remains committed in its commitment to supporting and guiding the community every step of the way.

 

It is worth noting that 24 buildings in Pernote village were destroyed on Thursday at 7.45 p.m.; a 500-metre section of a connecting road also sank, and four HT power towers were uprooted due to ground subsidence.

 

Traffic was stopped, and Pernote inhabitants were evacuated to safety. Border Roads Organisation commanding officer SK Gautam said, "The area contains Murree formation and red soil, similar to Joshimath. Currently, a major movement is underway. We have requested troops and machines, which are now on standby. We are waiting for the mass movement to become stable."

 

In a similar incident last year, on the night of January 2, 2023, a land subsidence incident struck Joshimath town as torrents of water surged from its lower slope.

 

Situated on a hill at an elevation of 6,150 feet (1,875 metres), sections of the town sank, with buildings developing cracks and roads and structures tilting precariously.

 

Several investigations undertaken by the GSI have indicated that the Himalayan foothills are sinking as a result of monsoon-induced water level changes, glacier melting, and extended rainfall.