Murree residents warn of fresh landslide threat in Jhika Gali

MURREE: Residents of Murree have sounded the alarm over what they describe as a growing landslide risk at the Jhika Gali Chowk remodeling project, calling on senior judicial and political authorities to step in before the situation turns into a major disaster.

According to local residents, ongoing work at the site has already endangered nearby homes, with some structures said to be close to collapse. Deep cracks have also appeared in surrounding land, raising fears that continued slope instability could trigger wider destruction if urgent preventive measures are not taken.

Residents say the danger was foreseeable and that concerns about the site’s vulnerability had been raised long before the latest warning. They claim the remodeling project has already caused damage to the old colonial-era market in Jhika Gali, disrupting businesses and affecting the livelihoods of traders in the area.

Locals also pointed to previous construction activity nearby as evidence of the risks involved. They recalled that a government-backed parking plaza project on the opposite side of the market had earlier led to serious ground subsidence during construction. According to residents, it took years and significant public resources to control the damage, but those lessons were not properly considered before work resumed in Jhika Gali.

Residents further argued that officials had been cautioned against widening the chowk, particularly because shops and other structures on the valley-facing side were built on fragile terrain. They insisted that a comprehensive geotechnical survey should have been conducted before any expansion work began.

The latest concerns have emerged amid fresh weather-related disruptions in Murree. Just hours earlier, heavy rain triggered landslides in different parts of the hill station, renewing fears about vulnerable locations such as Jhika Gali and increasing pressure on authorities to act swiftly.

Deputy Commissioner Agha Zaheer Abbas Shirazi said the district administration had moved to assist affected families. Rescue teams have been deployed in and around Jhika Gali, while several residents have been shifted to safer locations as a precaution.

Officials said machinery, medical teams, and emergency workers remain on site to clear debris, restore access routes, and provide essential supplies to those impacted.

Residents, however, say emergency relief alone will not be enough. They are demanding an immediate technical review of the project, stronger slope protection measures, and accountability over whether proper safety assessments were carried out before construction began.

With rains continuing to heighten the risk of ground movement in Murree’s hilly terrain, locals fear that without urgent intervention, the Jhika Gali project could become the latest example of development work turning into a costly and dangerous crisis.