Joshimath Turns into Sinking Zone, Locals Moved to Relief Centers, and Developmental Projects Suspended

Written by: Arjita Gupta

Edited by: Krutarth Ghosalkar

Last Updated: January 09, 2023

Over the last few days, Joshimath has seen continued land subsidence with roads and homes developing cracks, triggering fear among residents and driving them outdoors. Pushkar Singh Dhami, Uttarakhand Chief Minister has instructed to monitor the development activities ongoing in the area. He also asked to ensure rescue efforts and immediate relief for the locals affected by the subsidence and landslide. Out of 1271 rooms, only 229 have been allowed to continue habitation.

Himanshu Khurana, Chamoli District Magistrate (DM) visited the affected area and went door to door to assess the damage, and urged the residents to move to relief centers whose houses have developed cracks. A total of 68 families are at the present displaced and 603 buildings already have cracks in them. Malari Inn and House Mount View are banned from accommodating and operating further till orders, as per the clauses in the Disaster Management Act, 2005.

Urgent evacuation of locals that stay in unsafe and landslide-prone areas, is underway, as per the risk assessment to property and life cited in sections 33 and 34 of the Disaster Management Act. The district administration has started with the distribution of assistance funds (Rs. 5000 per family) for 46 families as support to obtain essential household items. The suspension has been announced for construction work ongoing for the Ho Hare bypass by Border Roads Organisation (BRO), NTPC's Tapovan Vishnugad Hydroelectric Project, and those under Joshimath Municipality.

DM Banerjee, a scientist at the Indian National Science Academy (INSA) thinks the cause of such a disaster is the construction of tunnels and roads in the vicinity of the hydroelectric project. He said that as Joshimath belongs to the lesser Himalayas, it contains rocks originating from the Precambrian era. Also, the region is seismic zone 4, wherein the construction of several houses, especially those with 3-4 storeys should never have been done.