Houses damaged in Jammu village subsidence; families take shelter in tents

Heavy rains trigger landslides in Kheri village, residents say several houses damaged (Image: ANI)

JAMMU: Nearly a dozen families have been forced to take shelter in tents after subsidence damaged several houses and sparked panic in Kheri village on the outskirts of Jammu city.“It has become scary to live in a structure on the verge of collapse,” said a resident.Locals demanded the authorities conduct a detailed geological and technical survey of the area to devise a permanent solution to the recurring problem.An official said, “A small chunk of land is facing subsidence, and geological experts are currently conducting a survey.”The area previously witnessed similar subsidence on Sept 13 last year. Local resident Mohammad Javaid said his newly built, two-storey house developed deep cracks last year.Sporadic cases of land subsidence were also reported across 19 locations in Ramban, Kishtwar, Poonch, Reasi, and Kathua districts following heavy rain and flash floods.