Landslide Near Bannu on Chamba-Sahor Road Raises Safety Concerns

Chamba, March 10 : A landslide occurred near Bannu on the Chamba-Sahor road on Sunday, raising safety concerns among local authorities and residents. Fortunately, at the time of the landslide, no vehicles were passing through the area, averting potential accidents or casualties. The incident took place around 9 am on Sunday.

Promptly responding to the landslide, the Public Works Department, in collaboration with the contracted construction company, deployed machinery to both ends of the affected area. However, due to the excessive debris on the road, it took approximately 5 hours to clear the path and restore traffic. The road was finally reopened by 2 pm.

The landslide was attributed to the accumulation of rubble caused by continuous soil erosion in the region. The local construction department had initiated widening work on the road about 2 to 3 months ago, involving blasting operations. The ongoing heavy rainfall in the area led to the dislodging of rocks and debris from the adjacent hills, contributing to the landslide.

During the clearance operations, intermittent landslides posed challenges for the construction crews, leading to delays in reopening the road. Commuters faced substantial waiting times, emphasizing the need for vigilance and preventive measures in landslide-prone areas.

It is noteworthy that locals had raised concerns about the safety of the construction work in the hilly terrain, sharing videos on social media highlighting the risk of landslides. Citizens urged the authorities, including the Public Works Department and the local administration, to take precautionary measures, such as cement spraying in areas susceptible to landslides.

The incident underscores the importance of comprehensive safety measures and ongoing monitoring, especially in regions prone to geological instabilities. As weather conditions and topography play pivotal roles in such incidents, continuous assessment and preemptive actions are crucial to ensure the safety of infrastructure and the well-being of the local population. Authorities are urged to address these concerns promptly and implement necessary measures to mitigate the risk of future landslides in the area.