Baramulla, Jul 22: Continuous rainfall triggered a landslide, causing a portion of the road at Hill Top Colony in Baramulla to cave in on Wednesday, creating panic among residents and prompting an immediate response from the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) and the district administration.
Officials said the incessant rainfall weakened the slope, leading to the collapse of the road. The affected stretch was immediately barricaded to prevent any untoward incident while officials assessed the damage and initiated restoration measures.
Speaking to reporters, the BRO Project Manager said the road collapsed due to continuous rainfall and assured that permanent restoration work would be taken up once weather conditions improve.
“The slide occurred because of continuous rainfall. As an immediate measure, sandbags will be installed to stabilise the affected portion. Permanent concrete work will be undertaken after the weather improves,” the manager said.
He said the road will be restored and reopened for normal movement after the completion of the concrete protection work and other necessary restoration measures.
Meanwhile, socio-political activist Touseef Raina has sought a probe into the functioning of the construction company involved in the bypass project. He urged Deputy Commissioner Baramulla to take note of the matter and initiate immediate measures.
Raina, a former municipality president while citing the recent collapse of a Vehicle Overpass (VOP) at Cheradari, where several labourers were injured, called for scrutiny of the quality of construction works being carried out by RIPL company in the district.
Residents said the incident caused panic in the area and urged the authorities to take long term measures to strengthen vulnerable slopes and prevent similar occurrences during periods of heavy rainfall.
According to official data, Baramulla recorded over 39 mm of rainfall in the past 24 hours, while light to moderate rain continued across the district on Wednesday—(KNO)
