12/09/2025
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The Kalaban Mendhar area is experiencing severe land subsidence and instability, exacerbated by recent heavy rainfall. Water has infiltrated and logged deep within the subsurface soil layers, causing hydraulic pressure that is pushing the soil apart and accelerating the sinking process.
The lives of thousands of residents are at imminent risk, and without swift action, the situation could escalate into a humanitarian disaster akin to Joshimath, as the unstable land could trigger a sudden burst or large-scale landslide at any moment, leading to loss of life, and further loss property, and infrastructure.
• Approximately 300 kanals (37.5 acres) of land is actively sinking, showing continuous movement and instability.
• Large cracks are forming in the ground, expanding rapidly and threatening further destabilization.
• Over 40 homes have already been fully destroyed and some are damaged beyond repair, 70 families have been avacuated so far.
• Remaining homes are developing cracks at an alarming rate, rendering them unsafe for habitation.
• There is a significant risk of a sudden burst or mass landslide, which could result in debris flow
impacting lower-lying areas, endangering additional communities and infrastructure.
In light of the above, the following measures should be taken as soon as possible.
1. Direct the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) and local administration in Poonch to
initiate immediate evacuation of remaining 100 plus families who are at immediate risk of sudden burst or mass landslide as mentioned in the map.
2. Coordinate with the Geological Department to conduct an urgent geological assessment to evaluate the extent of subsidence, identify underlying causes (such as groundwater dynamics and soil composition), and map vulnerable areas.
