Fresh land sinking triggers Ramban-Gool road closure

A view of area hit by land sinking at Parnote in Ramban.
A view of area hit by land sinking at Parnote in Ramban.

Excelsior Correspondent

RAMBAN, June 19: Following fresh land sinking in Parnote area near here the authorities concerned have ordered closure of Ramban-Gool road on Wednesday.
Locals informed that closure of the road has badly affected connectivity to many hamlets.
When contacted, Deputy Commissioner Ramban, Basheer-Ul-Haq Choudary said the Ramban-Gool road was temporarily made to monitor the land behaviour and to maintain connectivity and it worked well for about a month.
“Now from yesterday the land started subsiding again because of which we ordered the closure of Ramban-Gool road but still the alternate Digdol-Sumbal-Sangaldan-Gool road is through and apart from that there is rail connectivity also, so connectivity is not an issue,” he maintained adding that none has been affected by the fresh land sinking as the administration had already shifted those living in the affected areas to safer places.
It is pertinent to mention here that earlier following land subsidence in the month of April 25 this year, Ramban-Gool road was closed but it was temporarily restored for light passenger vehicles on May 28 by GREF.
Last month, experts from National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) had examined reasons behind the land subsidence in Parnote area and submitted a comprehensive report which also included recommendations to maintain precautions to prevent future losses by mudflow slides.
The experts had advised against entering the affected area for agricultural or habitation purposes until it is declared safe.