Cracks in roads, houses, walls and now a collapsed temple – all these incidents have created panic in Joshimath, a town in Uttarakhand. Reports state that the city is ‘sinking’ or experiencing land subsidence, a phenomenon in which the ground level drops below or falls over time. There are several factors contributing to the subsidence of Joshimath, including its location in the region of landslides, extreme weather events, and geological factors.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, on Saturday (January 7), Visited the homes of affected families in Joshimath And promised to ensure their safety and rehabilitation. Dhami said it was not decided whether residents would be moved from the city, but said they needed to be evacuated immediately.
For which we are working with full commitment.
Work is being done seriously on immediate and long term action plan to solve the problem. Protective works will be carried out in the entire city which is in danger. For which a detailed plan is being prepared. pic.twitter.com/YMRF7ypbv9— Pushkar Singh Dhami (@pushkardhami) January 7, 2023
What is landslide?
Landslide occurs when the ground sinks or settles. This can happen because people are taking too much water or minerals from the ground, which causes the ground to sink.
It can also be caused by natural processes, such as soil compaction or movement of the Earth’s crust.
Landslides can cause problems such as damage to buildings and roads, and may be more prone to flooding.
Why is Joshimath sinking – main reason
According to a study conducted by the Uttarakhand State Disaster Management Authority (USDMA) since August 2022, geological factors are playing an important role in the Joshimath landslide. The city is located on the tectonic fault line Vaikrita Thrust (VT), and is also very close to it. Two other major geological fault lines: the Main Central Thrust (MCT) and the Pandukeshwar Thrust (PT). The study further states that this makes the city highly vulnerable to sinking due to tectonic activity.
Also read: Joshimath drowning crisis in the midst of the old temple of Maa Bhagwati collapsed
Extreme weather events such as heavy rainfall and floods have also contributed to the subsidence of Joshimath. The June 2013 and February 2021 flood events caused toe erosion and slope instability in the area, increasing the risk of subsidence.
Unplanned construction in the area has also contributed to the subsidence of Joshimath. Hydroelectric schemes have been constructed around Joshimath and Tapovan, including the Vishnugarh Hydroelectric Project. This construction, along with the use of heavy machinery by the Border Roads Organization (BRO) to build the Helang Bypass, has the potential to induce further landslides and contribute to the city’s subsidence. All construction around Joshimath has now been banned.
To address the issue of landslides in Joshimath, it will be important for the authorities to consider the long-term sustainability of the town and implement measures to reduce the risk of subsidence. This could include better planning and regulation of construction projects in the region, as well as efforts to mitigate the effects of extreme weather events.