At least 50 houses and other structures have been damaged in Poonch district after sudden land sinking created panic among residents. Officials confirmed that the ground subsidence was reported in several villages of the Surankote area, forcing families to evacuate their homes.
According to preliminary reports, cracks appeared in residential houses, shops, and a few government buildings. The damage was particularly severe in hilly pockets where the soil has been loosening due to heavy rains in recent weeks. Villagers described hearing loud cracking sounds before portions of land began to sink, creating fissures in walls and floors.
District authorities, along with teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), have been deployed to assess the damage and ensure safety. Nearly 200 residents have been shifted to temporary shelters set up in schools and community halls. Officials said no casualties have been reported so far, but warned that the situation remains unstable as the land continues to shift.
Geologists have been called in to conduct a detailed survey of the affected zone. Experts believe excessive rainfall, unregulated construction, and natural soil movement could have combined to trigger the subsidence. The administration has appealed to locals to stay away from vulnerable areas until further assessment is completed.
Deputy Commissioner Poonch assured affected families that relief measures are being arranged, including food, blankets, and immediate financial assistance. Meanwhile, residents have urged the government to expedite long-term rehabilitation plans, fearing that the land may no longer be safe for rebuilding.
The incident highlights the growing challenge of land subsidence in the Himalayan region, where fragile terrain and climatic extremes are increasingly putting lives and livelihoods at risk.
