Chamoli: The Chamoli district administration has declared Uttarakhand’s Joshimath region as “disaster-prone” with land subsidence increasing and cracks being found in over 600 houses. Confirming the development, Chamoli District Magistrate Himanshu Khurana said that two central teams, including one from the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti, would soon reach the holy city. “Joshimath area has been declared disaster-prone. Two Central Government teams including a team from Ministry of Jal Shakti are visiting here. Construction activities have been banned in Joshimath and surrounding areas. Dry ration kits are being distributed. There have been people affected,” Chamoli DM said.
Joshimath area has been declared disaster prone. Two teams of the Central Government including a team of the Ministry of Jal Shakti are reaching here. Construction activities have been banned in Joshimath and surrounding areas. Dry ration kits are being distributed to the affected people: Chamoli DM #Uttarakhand pic.twitter.com/L69l2Q34FU– ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) January 9, 2023
Earlier on Monday, the district administration said that basic facilities are being constantly inspected in the relief camps set up for the affected people. DM Khurana said, “The basic facilities in the relief camps arranged for the affected people in Joshimath are being constantly inspected by the administration and all possible help is being provided to the affected people.”
State CM Pushkar Singh Dhami has once again assured all possible help to the people of Joshimath. “We have appealed everyone to work as a team and save Joshimath. 68 houses (of people) which were in danger have been shifted. An area of over 600 houses has been gutted and efforts are on to shift them. The PM is also monitoring it and has assured all possible help,” said the Uttarakhand CM.
#watch , We appeal to all to work as a team and save #joshimath, 68 houses (of people) which were in danger have been shifted. An area of over 600 houses has been gutted and efforts are on to shift them. PM is also monitoring it & has assured all possible help: Uttarakhand CM pic.twitter.com/7QorJeBD9d– ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) January 9, 2023
Cracks have appeared in more houses in Joshimath
Khurana said that immediate inspection will be done by the administration if needed. According to the Chamoli District Disaster Management Authority, 603 buildings in Joshimath town have developed cracks so far.
A total of 68 families have been temporarily displaced, officials said. “Under the Disaster Management Act, 2005, Hotel Mount View and Malari Inn are prohibited for operation and accommodation till further orders,” the Chamoli District Disaster Management Authority said in a statement.
In Joshimath city area, 229 rooms have been marked as temporarily habitable, with an estimated capacity of 1271. The administration has also ordered immediate evacuation of residents from areas deemed highly prone to landslides and unsafe after considering the risk to life and property. , under section 33 and 34 of the Disaster Management Act.
“Work is on to identify the landslide-affected places and the vulnerable families are being temporarily shifted to safer places,” the official said.
The ongoing construction work under NTPC’s Tapovan Vishnugarh hydropower project has been stopped with immediate effect till further orders.
The construction work of Ho Hare Helang Bypass by the Border Roads Organization (BRO) has also been stopped with immediate effect till further orders.
The construction work being done by Joshimath Municipality has also been banned till further orders. The district administration on Sunday distributed the necessary assistance amounting to essential household items to the affected families.
While the cause of the apparent subsidence in the holy city is unclear, DM Banerjee, an emeritus scientist at the Indian National Science Academy (INSA), attributed the current situation to the construction of roads and tunnels for a nearby hydroelectric project.
When a lawyer mentioned the sinking of Joshimath in Uttarakhand, the Supreme Court said to mention the matter tomorrow.
The petition was filed by Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati, seeking immediate intervention of the apex court to provide immediate relief to the people of Joshimath.