Jammu, June 16 -- A land subsidence in Kotli Kalaban village of Rajouri district has caused cracks in houses and commercial establishments prompting the district administration to shift two families to safety, said officials on Monday.

Besides houses, cattle sheds, roads and agricultural fields in around 100 kanals (12.5 acre) of area have developed the cracks, said Ramesh Kumar, a local, attributing it to the underway road widening and excavation work. "There are houses, farm land, grazing land and road, which have developed big cracks. While one shop has been completely damaged, two other business establishments have also developed cracks in walls and roofs," said Kumar.

"Impending monsoon would further aggravate the situation. We wan...