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Jammu: Houses in Doda develop cracks; 19 families evacuated

Around 100 families live in the area

Jammu Doda district A resident shows cracks that have appeared in his house in Nai Basti area, in Doda district | PTI

Close on the heels of the Joshimath incident, cracks in houses in Jammu's Doda district has led to the evacuation of around 20 families in Thathri. The cracks were reported in Navi Basti hamlet, and are reported to be widening daily. Initially, 4-5 houses developed cracks but later four houses reported serious damage, with cracks appearing in 15 more houses. A mosque in the area, too, developed cracks.

Around 100 families live in the area and most of them have shifted to government schools. Relief material has been provided to them by the district authorities.

A Geological Survey of India team has been deputed to study the reason and level of sinking in the area. The affected residential structures are on a hill and all these lie along a particular line, while the rest of Thathri is safe.

Along with the district administration, police and SDRF teams, too, have visited the spot. The administration is waiting for the GSI findings.

Minister of State Jitendra Singh spoke to the Deputy Commissioner of Doda.

“I am in touch with DC Doda Vishesh Mahajan. A relief camp has been set up for the residents of the affected houses. Meanwhile, a Geological Survey team is already on its way to the affected spot to study the underlying causative factors,” Singh tweeted.

Deputy Commissioner Mahajan told THE WEEK that the situation is not alarming. “We have shifted the affected families to safer places but most of them have moved in with their relatives. We are waiting for the report by the Geological Survey of India to decide what to do.”

Former chief minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, too, expressed concern over the calamity and has urged L-G Manoj Sinha to relocate the affected families and provide them adequate compensation.

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