Fear grips landslide-prone areas of Baramulla as bad weather raises concerns

Baramulla, Apr 7: Continuous rainfall and forecasts of further downpours have triggered anxiety among residents living in landslide-prone areas of Baramulla district, particularly in the Kandi belt, where fragile terrain makes habitation increasingly risky during adverse weather.

The erratic weather has already led to landslides along the under-construction two-lane Baramulla–Uri highway, disrupting traffic movement at several points and heightening fears of further damage in the coming days. The Meteorological Department has predicted more inclement weather, adding to the concerns of people residing in vulnerable villages, including Khodpora, RajporaThandaKasi, Chandoosa, Shirpora, Kawhar, Frasthar, Raipora, Gavegarn, Wahdina, Shumlaran, Nowgam, and Laridora. These areas remain highly susceptible to landslides and land subsidence due to their weak geological structure. Among them, Shirpora–Khodpora has witnessed repeated incidents of land sinking in the past, causing significant damage to several residential houses.

Locals say that every spell of rain brings renewed fear. “There is no fresh landslide at the moment, but the continuous rains are worrying because this area is highly prone to such incidents,” said AshiqHussain, a resident of Khodpora. According to local residents many houses in the past have suffered damage in the land sinking incidents. “The incessant rains always make us anxious,” said imtiyazHussain of Khodpora village.

The residents living along the newly constructed bypass road have also raised concerns, alleging that road cutting and excavation have  destabilised the area.

The residents from upper Gutyar village claim that the carving out of the bypass road has disturbed the natural balance of the land, increasing the risk of landslides and subsidence. “Following the road excavation and road cutting has made the area vulnerable to landslides. The fear stricken residents have urged for the immediate protective measures like construction of protection walls where ever required,” Said Fayaz Ahmad, of Upper Gitiyar.

Over the years, hundreds of structures in the Kandi belt have suffered damage, while those dependent on agriculture and horticulture have incurred heavy losses due to soil erosion and land degradation. A survey conducted by the Department of Geology and Mining, J&K, in 2015 had declared the entire Kandi area prone to subsidence and landslides, particularly during and after rainfall.

The report highlighted that rainwater increases pore pressure in the soil, leading to displacement, especially due to the presence of plastic clay that restricts deep water absorption.  The locals of these vulnerable areas have requested to construct more retaining walls where ever required.