Landslides damage 5 houses in Poonch, power supply hit

Our Correspondent

Poonch, March 31

Incessant rain in Poonch has triggered landslides at many places in the district.

Five families whose houses had come in the danger zone as a result of massive landslides in Chhamber Kinari village in Mandi tehsil were shifted to Government Middle School, Dattigala, by the district administration today. Three of the five houses have been fully damaged.

Six families of the Chandak area of Poonch were shifted to safer places yesterday as the water from the Pulast river entered their houses.

Meanwhile, the power supply to six villages in the district, including the upper reaches of Loran, Sawjian, Harimora, Buffliaz and Sangiote, was affected by rain.

Three water supply schemes and seven roads have also been damaged in the district.

Deputy Commissioner, Poonch, MH Malik, who is closely monitoring the situation, has directed the officers of the Public Health Engineering, Power Development Department and the Public Works Department to press their men and machinery into service and restore the affected infrastructure at the earliest.

The Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution authorities have also been directed to provide kerosene and food to the affected families.

All vulnerable areas, especially those prone to landslides, are being monitored by the district administration.