Joshimath Sinking: Buildings On Danger Zones Marked With Red Cross, 68 Families Moved To Camp

Uttarakhand's "sinking" town Joshimath has been declared disaster-prone after cracks appeared in homes and roads, forcing authorities to evacuate scores of families.

68 families moved

Joshimath has now been declared a landslide-subsidence zone and around 68 families living in uninhabitable houses in the sinking town have been evacuated to temporary relief centers. With ¡°sinking¡± concerns looming large in Joshimath, some experts have warned that other prominent hilly areas like Uttarkashi and Nainital are also facing a similar risk.

Joshimath area has been declared disaster-prone. 2 teams of Central govt incl a team of Jal Shakti ministry are arriving here. Construction activities have been banned in Joshimath & nearby areas. Dry ration kits are being distributed to affected people: Chamoli DM #Uttarakhand pic.twitter.com/L69l2Q34FU

¡ª ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) January 9, 2023

Red cross mark on dangerous buildings

Further, district administration has started marking red cross marks on buildings facing potential danger due to land subsidence.

Uttarakhand | Dist Administration started marking red cross marks on buildings facing potential danger due to land subsidence in Joshimath

Singhdhar, Gandhinagar, Manoharbaag, Sunil wards declared unsafe. Entry prohibited in these wards & hence marking is being done: Chamoli DM pic.twitter.com/9S732bejGF

¡ª ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) January 9, 2023

People blame hydel project, take out protest

The people of Joshimath have blamed the NTPC¡¯s Tapovan-Vishnugad hydel project for their woes, while there is strong resentment against the Uttarakhand government for the indifference with which it treated warnings about a dangerous situation of buildings in the Himalayan town due to heavy construction activities.

A large number of people also took out a torchlight protest in the area on Jan 4 as several houses developed deep cracks, leaving them in a panicked state.

Uttarakhand | A large number of people took out a torchlight protest in Joshimath yesterday as several houses developed deep cracks, leaving them in a panicked state. pic.twitter.com/AKlMkIEAli

¡ª ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) January 5, 2023

Experts' recommendations to deal with crisis

According to a team of bureaucrats and experts who conducted a survey in the area, a set of recommendations have been made in order to deal with the crisis.

All development activities should be monitored and encroachment of any kind must be avoided along the existing drainage channels, a Hindustan Times report quoted the team as saying. It suggested several other measures to stabilise the land around the town.

It advised to check land subsidence that has put several houses in the pilgrim town at risk of collapse. Relief and rescue efforts were intensified in Joshimath after it was declared a landslide and subsidence-hit zone.

Uttarakhand | Land subsidence and cracks in many houses continue in Joshimath. pic.twitter.com/5IUwq0a1zu

¡ª ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) January 6, 2023

Aid from Uttarakhand govt

Meanwhile, the Uttarakhand government will pay Rs 4,000 per month for up to six months to those who want to move to rented accommodations, said Chamoli District Magistrate (DM) Himanshu Khurana on Sunday.

#WATCH | Land subsidence and cracks in many houses continue in Uttarakhand's Joshimath. Cracks have appeared on 561 houses in Joshimath, and water seepage continues from underground in JP Colony, Marwadi. pic.twitter.com/vo7IxIh1Xl

¡ª ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) January 5, 2023

Measures taken for residents' safety

People were told to move out of unsafe and uninhabitable houses as arrangements for their stay have been made in hotels, homestays and other safe places.

Among some important measures as part of relief and rescue, temporary relief centres have been set up at four-five safe places within Joshimath. Some more buildings, including a few hotels, a gurdwara and two inter-colleges, have been acquired to serve as makeshift shelters that can accommodate around 1,500 people, a PTI report said.

For 26 months when I was Environment Minister, I grappled with the development-environment issue in Uttarakhand. In a vast majority of cases, I decided in favour of ecological protection. This didn¡¯t win me many friends, but these visuals from Joshimath vindicates my position. pic.twitter.com/4UYvgJJbiX

¡ª Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) January 7, 2023

The Centre on Sunday stressing that the immediate priority is the safety of people and asking experts to prepare short and long term plans for conservation and rehabilitation.

The Supreme Court on Monday asked an advocate to mention Tuesday a plea seeking immediate intervention by the top court to assist the reparation and providing of urgent relief to people of Joshimath.

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