'88 villages of Budgam dist in Jammu and Kashmir under threat of landslide'

SRINAGAR: Eighty-eight villages in Jammu and Kashmir's Budgam district are facing the threat of landslide, authorities said here today.

"Out of 500 villages in the district, 88 villages, mostly in Chadoora and Chrar-i-Sharief areas, are under the threat of landslide," District Development Commissioner Manzoor Ahmad Lone said quoting a survey conducted by field officers and other agencies.

Lone, who chaired a high-level meeting in the district to review the situation arising out of landslide, said a contingency plan has been chalked out to deal with the situation and administration has geared its men and machinery to combat any eventuality.

"Proactive measures have been taken to combat any eventuality in the landslide-hit areas of the district especially in the most vulnerable parts of Chadoora and Chrar-i-Sharief," he said.

Giving details about the arrangements being put in place, he said temporary shelter camps have been established in various government institutions and other available buildings at Nagam, Lolipora, Chrar-i-Sharief, Bemina, Waterhaul and Pakherpora for the displaced families.

"To have better coordination, the affected areas have been distributed in three zones, each zone would be looked after by a team of officers consisting of Tehsildar, Block Development Officer, Zonal Education Officer and Village Level Worker.

The Naib Tehsildars have been directed to assist the team, he said, adding that ration, blankets, tents and other edibles have been kept in large quantity at established camps.

16 members of two families were killed in a landslide in the district following incessant rains early this week.