Ramban DC says land started subsiding from Wednesday, prompting closure of the Ramban-Gool road. However, the alternate Digdol-Sumbal-Sangaldan-Gool road was open as were railway lines, “so connectivity was not an issue."

Speculation abounds, with some attributing the sinking of land to the “blasting of mountains for roads and tunnels, while others blame the development of hydroelectric facilities for water seepage into the mountains and consequent land sinking.” 

The sinking has destroyed many pine trees, power lines, roads, and water pipes. As a result, nearly 60,000 people in the Gool sub-division lost communication with the Ramban district headquarters.