Shah Basit
Local residents of Halmathpora in Kupwara district of north Kashmir have been worried for more than a week now as the area has been sinking, residents said.
Speaking to The Kashmiriyat, a local Abdul Rashid said that the land sinking has created scare among the locals as several walnut trees have also got uprooted due to the land sinking.
He said that initially the locals witnessed cracks developing in the nearby Tingshore hill at Halmathpora. “The cracks caused damaged to several tin sheds. The cracks were followed by land sinking and damage to our property,” the local resident said.
Several families living close to the hill have shifted to alternate locations fearing that the whole hill might collapse.
Abdul Rashid who is 72 said that he has never seen such a phenomenon in the seven decades of his life. “Panic is spreading throughout this area. This has never happened. We have lived here for a long time. I fear that a disaster is approaching us and it is approaching fast,” he said.
The local administration in Kupwara said it has shifted families to safer places.
Meanwhile a team of Geology and Mining has visited the spot. “The team will submit its report after proper study over the causes of cracks in the hill,” the official said.
Notably at least three incidents of land sinking have been reported from Jammu Kashmir during the last few months.
In Dalwah area of Ramban’s Gool belt, the sinking led to damage to several structures. A graveyard consisting of about 20 graves also sank in the area.
The frequent sinking incidents have led to increased concern among locals and environmentalists.