Ganderbal, Feb 20 (KNS): Several houses were damaged after a landslide hit Rezin area of Sonamarg in central Kashmir's Ganderbal district on Sunday late evening, officials said here.
An official told Kashmir News Service (KNS) that a massive landslide hit Rezan area in which many houses were damaged besides Srinagar Leh highway was also blocked.
“Soon after the incident, the residents were moved to safer locations while the highway remained blocked following the incident, he said.
He said all efforts were put in place to clear the path and reestablish traffic at an earliest, while senior officials were on the spot.
Iqbala Bano whose house was also damaged in the incident said the villagers were already worried that such an incident would happen as a tunnel is being constructed there.
"We narrowly escaped this incident, as there is construction of tunnel going in the village, which caused the loosening of the soil," she said.
Another local claimed around 7 residential houses and several shops were damaged in the incident.
He alleged that due to the construction of the tunnel, their settlement has been destroyed.
The villagers alleged that the area is unsafe for living now and the administration should relocate and rehabilitate the affected residents.
Meanwhile, 13 families were shifted after a landslide hit Gool village of Ramban district last evening. Several houses were also damaged in the incident.
Officials said the affected families were shifted to safer locations and provided immediate relief, while main road passing near the village was closed for vehicular traffic after developing cracks.
"We are monitoring the situation and have placed restrictions for the time being on the movement of people as the land is still sinking,” he said.
The official added experts from the Geological Survey of India (GSI) are visiting the place within a couple of days to inspect the scene and look for the reasons for the sudden landslide. (KNS)