Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday visited Kalaban village in Mendhar tehsil, near the Line of Control (LoC), to take stock of the large-scale damage caused by land subsidence that began on September 11.
The disaster has displaced over 1,000 people and damaged nearly 95 houses, along with a mosque, graveyard, and key infrastructure.
Arriving by helicopter, the Chief Minister inspected the affected areas and interacted with residents.
He assured that the administration would provide full support to families forced out of their homes.
“I understand the pain of those who have lost their houses and land. The government will ensure that boarding, lodging, and other essential facilities are provided without delay,” Abdullah said. He added that technical teams are conducting a detailed assessment to “mark high-risk zones and take preventive steps to avoid further loss.”
Relief camps have been set up at the panchayat ghars of Kalaban and Faizabad, while a temporary control room has been established at the sub-division level to coordinate the relief effort involving officials, NGOs, and volunteers.
“This is not just about immediate relief but also about long-term safety,” Abdullah noted, directing officials to expedite both rehabilitation and mitigation measures.
Kalaban is among 11 villages in Jammu, Ramban, Poonch, Rajouri, and Reasi districts affected by post-monsoon land subsidence this year, which has damaged more than 200 houses and displaced over 3,000 people across the region.(KINS)
