Houses collapse in Pangi’s Luj village

There seems to be no end to the troubles for residents of Pangi Valley, as an incident of structural collapse has left several families homeless yesterday. According to the reports, at least four houses in Tikkri village of Luj Panchayat, an area bordering the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.

The houses belonged to Pratap Chand, Ajay Kumar, Raj Kumar and Pratap Chand. The affected families said the cracks had developed in these houses after the recent snowfall. With the onset of warmer temperatures, the melting snow further weakened the structures, leading to the collapse of these structures. However, the inhabitants had vacated the houses before the collapse thus averting a major tragedy.

Given the severity of the situation, locals have urged the administration to step in immediately. The Forest Rights Committee secretary of Luj, Ajit Rana, highlighted that the affected families belong to economically weaker sections and require urgent assistance. “The government must act swiftly to provide both financial aid and essential supplies to those impacted,” he stated.

Trilok Thakur, chairman of Pangwal Ekta Manch, has written to the Resident Commissioner of Pangi in this regard, seeking immediate intervention. “The people of Pangi are facing repeated disasters and the administration must take proactive steps to ensure their safety. The affected families need urgent rehabilitation and financial support to rebuild their lives,” Thakur stated in his letter.

This incident comes just days after an avalanche hit Kumar Panchayat on March 2, damaging at least 10 houses. While no casualties were reported, the avalanche destroyed the belongings of several families, prompting the government to airdrop relief materials to the affected village, which was already facing a shortage of supplies.

With the snow continuing to wreak havoc, residents of Pangi Valley remain on edge, fearing further damage. In the tribal valley, harsh weather conditions during the winter season often leads to severe disruptions in daily life, including road blockages, prolonged power outages and interruptions in water supply.