Srinagar, May 2 -- "When we came out, we witnessed chaos engulfing the village. Everyone was rushing towards safety," Iqbal recalled.

Iqbal saw at least 25 houses damaged that day including his own. The government said over 60 residential houses received major cracks, forcing nearly 500 people to relocate.

"Majority of these houses are inhabitable now," Iqbal said, adding, "It was so heartbreaking."

Pernote village, known as the most picturesque in the district, lies approximately seven kilometers from the Deputy Commissioner's Office in Ramban on Gool-Sangaldan road. Most of the residential houses are built on a hillock, making them more susceptible to landslides. Ramban township is located on the right bank of the Chenab river and th...