Joshimath Live Updates: Activists Write To PM Modi As Buildings With Cracks Reach 849
Joshimath Sinking Live Updates: Follow this page for all the latest updates on Joshimath land sinking in Uttarakhand.
Background
Joshimath Sinking Live Updates: National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) officials called on Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami at the Chief Minister's residence on Monday and discussed the relief and...More
"Presently, no blasting is being done in this tunnel&water has also not been filled in it. If (land) subsidence would've happened due to it, it would've affected the tunnel first. There's no possibility of land subsidence due to this tunnel:" B Kumar, NTPC Addl GM Geology was quoted as saying by ANI.
But the area in the tunnel where blasting will be done is at a distance of 11 km from Joshimath. The tunnel is also not passing through Joshimath. So there's no possibility of land subsidence due to the construction of this tunnel: RP Ahirwar, Chief GM, NTPC Tapovan was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.
I had written a letter to GSI some time back asking for a report on the Narsingh temple in Joshimath and the preliminary report stated that there's no threat to the temple complex at present. But keeping in view, the land subsidence situation in Joshimath, we'll shift the temple treasury, containing about 3,000-3,500 kg silver and 40-45 kg gold, to our Pipalkoti guest house. Action plan for the same has been prepared: Badarinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee Chairman Ajendra Ajay.
Chamoli district administration has begun the technical survey of damaged buildings in JP Colony for demolition exercise amid deepening crisis in subsidence-hit Joshimath in Uttarakhand.
Over 30 houses of JP colony have developed cracks in the subsidence-hit Joshimath after which the decision has been taken to raze the buildings, sources told ABP News.
Regarding JP Colony, Chamoli's DM Himanshu Khurana has been directed to inform the concerned parties so that the construction which has reached critical condition is removed at the earliest. This colony will also be demolished like the already proposed Mount View and Malari Inn Hotel.
The Joshimath Bachao Sangharsh Samiti on Monday urged the Centre to take over the relief and rehabilitation work in subsidence-hit Joshimath as it accused the Uttarakhand government of adopting "lackadaisical" approach. Meanwhile the number of buildings that have developed cracks has reached to 849.
In a letter written to PM Modi, JBSS convenor Atul Sati accused the state government of ignoring its warnings about the imminent disaster for 14 months and dealing with it now at a snail's pace.
"The crisis has endangered the very existence of a historic town, but the relief and rescue operations being carried out by the state government are devoid of any urgency," it said. "We demand from the Prime Minister that the relief-rehabilitation and stabilisation work in Joshimath is taken over by the Centre to secure the lives and interest of people," the letter said.
The number of buildings developing cracks in subsidence-hit Joshimath rose to 849 on Monday, out of which 165 are located in the danger zone, even as evacuation of affected families to temporary relief centres and dismantling of two unsafe hotels continued in the town.
A total of 800 people, belonging to 237 families, have so far been shifted to safety by the district administration, according to the daily bulletin of the Disaster Management Authority. (PTI)
Disaster Management Secretary Ranjit Kumar Sinha on Sunday inspected the landslide-affected areas in Uttarakhand's Joshimath and said that there has been an uptick in the number of cracks, but no new areas have faced damages. The Secretary inspected areas including Auli Ropeway, Manohar Bagh, Shankaracharya Math, JP Colony along with geologists and senior officials.
Speaking to ANI, Sinha said that the teams are conducting tests to ascertain if there is any particular pattern of developing cracks.
"Relief and rescue operations are being conducted. There has been an uptick in the number of cracks in some places. Cracks haven't developed in new areas. There is a minor increase in the cracks of approx 1mm but we are monitoring them. We are also finding a pattern so that in the future there is no damage. All teams are conducting tests whether there is any pattern developing of the cracks. After the tests, we will take action based on it. The cracks have increased, but there is nothing to worry about," he said.
"The Central and state governments are making combined efforts during this period. Our all teams have reached here for investigation & now their research will tell what is the reason behind it. After that action will be taken on the same accordingly," Sinha added.
After land subsidence in the Joshimath area of Uttarakhand's Chamoli, cracks have also started to appear in houses in Sharana Chai village of Uttarakhand's Chamoli district. Multiple cracks appeared on houses on Sunday. "Natural calamities like cloud bursts occur more often," Dalip Singh Pawar, one of the residents, said while talking to ANI.
"In case of low magnitude earthquake whole village will be severely affected," said another resident. "Today, Joshimath is on the brink of collapse, tomorrow the whole of Uttarakhand will be destroyed," he added.
Disaster Management Secretary Ranjit Kumar Sinha on Sunday inspected the landslide-affected areas in Uttarakhand's Joshimath and said that there has been an uptick in the number of cracks, but no new areas have faced damages. The Secretary inspected areas including Auli Ropeway, Manohar Bagh, Shankaracharya Math, JP Colony along with geologists and senior officials.
Speaking to ANI, Sinha said that the teams are conducting tests to ascertain if there is any particular pattern of developing cracks.
Two more hotels were dangerously leaning towards each other while wider cracks appeared near Auli ropeway and in other areas of land subsidence-hit Joshimath on Sunday.
The number of houses that have developed cracks has now risen to 826 out of which 165 are in the "unsafe zone", a bulletin from the Disaster Management Authority said. So far 233 families have been shifted to temporary relief centres. (PTI)
The Disaster Management department is aiming towards conducting the geophysical survey at 10 spots throughout the Joshimath to get better survey results. "The drainage department has opened tender for drainage plan, and we will take note of where the work has reached," Ranjit Kumar Sinha, Secretary of Disaster Management said while addressing a press conference on Saturday.
"In the cabinet, it was decided that we will work towards the Toe Erosion. We were directed to get a timeline from the officials, and then start work towards shifting the people," he added. He said four companies have bid for the drainage contract, and the company with the required technical capabilities will be shortlisted.
"Cracks do occur on the houses in hill areas. But, if huge cracks are coming up, then proper action must be taken. We have also directed the same to the authorities," he said.
With icy winds sweeping Chamoli district of Uttarakhand, the administration on Saturday provided electric heaters to temporary relief centres in subsidence-hit Joshimath even as 38 more families were evacuated from the affected areas, officials said.
Selang, a village around five km from subsidence-hit Joshimath, is likely to meet a similar fate as cracks and fissures have been appearing in fields and several houses for the past few months. Located on Badrinath National Highway (NH-58), residents of Selang said they are scared and the Joshimath crisis has only deepened their fears.
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and the Uttarakhand government have asked over a dozen government-run organisations and institutes and their experts not to make any unauthorised comment or statement on the situation in Joshimath.
Building Research Institute marks "unusable" houses in Uttarakhand's Joshimath.
Cracks have surfaced on the ropeway platform since yesterday. I have sent the report to higher authorities. Ropeway has been stopped since 5th January due to the situation in Joshimath: Dinesh Bhatt, Manager, Ropeway.
Gauge meter outside the houses where cracks have been reported. The assessment report will be submitted to Uttarakhand govt so that they can make an administrative plan accordingly: Dr. Ajay Chaurasia, Chief Engineer, CBRI.
Assessment of the 4000 buildings in 9 wards in Joshimath is being done. We are assessing the details of the buildings including how the building was constructed, what materials were used, was it according to the set norms: Dr. Ajay Chaurasia, Chief Engineer, CBRI.
The environment and climate scientist team inspect Joshimath's land subsidence-affected area. We'll make environmental & ecological assessments & also assess water quality here. We've 4-5 teams working on it in different areas: Dr. JC Kuniyal, Scientist.
Higher mountain ranges in Joshimath received fresh snowfall Saturday amid subsidence threat.
Process of demolishing two 'unsafe' hotels in subsidence-hit Joshimath begins after administration's agreement with property owners who had stalled exercise for two days demanding compensation.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami holds a meeting with senior district administration officials on the issue of Joshimath subsidence, ANI reported.
CM Dhami held a meeting with Army, ITBP, NDRF & scientists from various establishments engaged in landslide investigation, District admin, police. He instructed all agencies to ensure the safety of the people.
Home Minister Amit Shah chaired a meeting with five ministries at his residence on the issue of Joshimath subsidence to review the situation.
Union Road and Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari, Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Shekhawat, Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav, and Energy Minister RK Singh were present at the meeting which also discussed relief work for the affected people.
"Uttarakhand govt is working to find a solution to the issue of land subsidence. The central government is providing all possible assistance to the state. If required, I will visit Joshimath. Yesterday, MoS Defence Ajay Bhatt visited the town," Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said, as per ANI.
25-28 buildings (of Army) have developed minor cracks and the soldiers have been temporarily relocated. If needed they will be permanently relocated to Auli: General Manoj Pande said, as per ANI.
As far as the bypass road (in Joshimath, Uttarakhand) is concerned, the work has been temporarily halted. But our accessibility to forward areas and operational readiness has not been affected. We will provide all assistance to the local administration, he added.
"Today I offered prayers at the Narsingh Temple. I prayed to god to protect the state & resolve this crisis. As we already said the govt will design the best possible relief package for the crisis-hit people as this is a natural disaster," Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami said, as per ANI.
"Our govt stands strong with these people. Our upcoming meetings are planned to find solutions for all the recent updates we have received after visiting here," he added.
An 11-member committee was constituted for the transparent distribution of immediate interim assistance to the affected people in Joshimath and to decide the rate of rehabilitation package, Chamoli DM stated in a statement.
An amount of Rs 45 crores has been released from the government for the special rehabilitation package and grant for the displacement of the affected building owners/families due to landslides in the Joshimath municipality area, the Uttarakhand CMO stated, as per a statement shared by ANI.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Wednesday visited the subsidence-hit Joshimath town and announced interim assistance for the affected people even as protests by locals who are demanding compensation on the lines of Badrinath stalled the demolition of unsafe structures.
"We stand with the people of Joshimath. The prime minister is personally monitoring the situation. I have his full support. Their (affected people) interest will be taken care of," he told reporters on his arrival in Joshimath.
Compensation will be given according to the market rate which will be ascertained after taking stakeholders into confidence, said the chief minister who visited houses that have developed cracks more recently and spoke to the affected people.
Interim assistance of Rs 1.5 lakh is being given to the affected people and details of relief and rehabilitation are being worked out, said the chief minister.
Dhami also said that an impression is being created that the whole of Uttarakhand is in danger which is not correct.
"Such an impression should not be created. We are going to have the international winter games in Auli in February. Char Dham yatra will also begin in a few months. This kind of wrong impression should not be created," he said.
Dhami said there should be a "balance between ecology and economy" wherever development work is being carried out.
He clarified that only two hotels were going to be mechanically demolished and not the houses marked as unsafe.
Meanwhile, protests continued in the town and so did the evacuation of affected families with 18 more shifted to temporary relief centres.
A total of 145 families have been evacuated so far from the danger zone in Joshimath, Disaster Management Authority, Chamoli said.
Over 700 houses have been declared unsafe.
Two adjacent hotels - the seven-storied Malari Inn and the five-storied Mount View - stand precariously in the subsidence zone posing a threat to more than a dozen houses.
Preparations to demolish them mechanically with the help of Roorkee-based Central Building Research Institute (CBRI), which carried out the demolition of Noida's twin towers, began on Tuesday itself but the exercise hit a hurdle when owners of the two hotels supported by locals sat on a protest.
They are demanding compensation along the lines of what was offered to those displaced by the Badrinath renovation masterplan.
Earlier, Meenakshi Sundaram, Secretary to the chief minister, met the protesting peopke and assured them that adequate compensation according to market rates will be given.
"The market rate will be decided after taking suggestions of the stakeholders in public interest. The interests of the local people will be taken care of," he said.
"I want to clarify one thing. Only two hotels are to be dismantled... Houses in the danger zone are not going to be demolished. The red cross marks put on them is only to have them vacated," Sundaram, who is also the nodal officer for the land subsidence-hit town, said.
Agitated locals continued to sit on dharna and refused to allow authorities to raze the hotels.
"We want compensation along the lines of Badrinath. But the secretary to the chief minister said it was not possible. He said compensation as per market rate could be given. But when we asked what would be the market rate, he said he did not know," Thakur Singh Rana, the owner of Malari Inn, told reporters. PTI
BJP president JP Nadda spoke to Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami over the Joshimath land subsidence and inquired about the current situation. He also assured all kind of cooperation.
Joshimath Sinking: The Office of Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami has said that residents of areas affected by land sinking will be compensated as per the market rates. It said that the market rate will be decided after taking suggestions from concerned stakeholders.
Joshimath Sinking: Cracks could be seen on houses and buildings in Chamba town of the Tehri district in Uttarakhand.
Dr. Ranjit Kumar Sinha, Disaster Management secretary to address a press conference on Wednesday at 4:15 PM over the Joshimath crisis.
SDRF has said that teams of civil Police, SDRF and NDRF are present in Joshimath and talks are underway with the hotel building owner who had expressed certain reservations.
"After the talks are over, the process of demolishing the hotel buildings will start," M Mishra, SDRF, told ANI.
The Uttarakhand government has announced immediate assistance of Rs 1.5 lakhs to each family. The secretary to CM said that no other buildings will be demolished, apart from the two hotels that have been marked 'unsafe'.
"Till now, cracks noticed in 723 buildings," he said.
District administration has inspected houses in Karnprayag which reported cracks earlier in the day.
Tehsildar Surendra Dev told ANI that buildings that are unsafe to live in will be identified and will be vacated. "Today's inspection report will be sent to DM and accordingly, further action to be taken," he added.
The owner of Malari Hotel and locals continue to stage protests outside the hotel demanding proper compensation.
Secretary to Uttarakhand CM R Meenakshi Sundaram has said that Badrinath-like compensation cannot be given to hotel owners and residents whose houses have come under the effect of land subsidence in Joshimath.
"We requested people to support us in the dismantling of two hotels. Compensation will be given in according to the compensation that was given in Uttar Kashi. Badrinath-like compensation cannot be given here. Several teams of the central government have reached here," he said, reported ANI.
On construction works, he said, "Roads are being made for people only. (Construction) works that will affect things here need to be stopped and it's not right to stop other projects which will not have an effect here."
Cracks have appeared in some houses in Bahuguna Nagar of Karnprayag. Locals complained that cracks have increased since last year and district administration is paying Rs 5,200 to repair.
Chamoli DM Himanshu Khurana has informed that cracks have appeared in Bahuguna Nagar area of Karnaprayag adding that a team of IIT Roorkee is doing a study of the area.
"As per their report, necessary action will be taken," he said.
Joshimath Subsidence: Chamoli DM Himanshu Khurana has said that cracks have appeared in 723 buildings and 131 families have been shifted to relief centres.
"We are in touch with local representatives and asked them to bring it to our notice if new cracks appear," he told ANI.
A meeting of RM Sundaram, Secretary to Uttarakhand CM along with district administration with the people whose houses have been damaged is underway.
Joshimath Sinking: Secretary to CM told ANI that no new cracks developed in Joshimath after January 7.
"Good thing is that the water leakage near Jaypee Company is decreasing and it reached 250 LPM last evening. After January 7, no new cracks developed and old cracks didn't increase. Two buildings that are unsafe need to be demolished and I appeal to people to support us," he added.
The owner of Malari Hotel and his family members are sitting outside the hotel demanding compensation as the hotel is to be demolished due to cracks
"My son lives in France, I can go anywhere but I'm sitting here for the people of Joshimath," hotel owner T Singh Rana told ANI.
Owner of Malari Hotel, T Singh Raja, and his family members staged a protest outside their hotel which is to be demolished due to cracks, demanding compensation. Raja said that his son is in France and he could go anywhere but "I'm sitting here for the people of Joshimath."
Owner of Malari Hotel, T Singh Raja, and his family members staged a protest outside their hotel which is to be demolished due to cracks, demanding compensation. Raja said that his son is in France and he could go anywhere but "I'm sitting here for the people of Joshimath."
A meeting of officials will be held on Wednesday morning in Uttarakhand to take a decision over the demolition of two hotels in Joshimath.
The hotels were not razed on Tuesday after hotel owners and residents raised objections.
"Action was being taken to demolish some hotels here. At that time, hotel owners expressed resentment so that hotels are not demolished until assurance about the cost of the hotels is given to him," Shailendra Pawar, Chairman, Joshimath Municipal Corporation told ANI on Tuesday.
He added, "CDO reached here as the representative of DM. He has spoken to them & said that further action will be taken after a meeting is held tomorrow at 9.30 am."
The authorities on Tuesday started the demolition process of two hotels -- Malari Inn and Mount View -- which have leaned towards each other due to the sinking in Uttarakhand's Joshimath.
Two JCBs, a big crane and two tipper trucks, along with 60 labourers were brought to the site for the demolition. (IANS)
As the Uttarakhand government on Tuesday prepared to demolish two hotels badly affected by land subsidence in Joshimath, the hotel owners opposed the "abrupt" move, saying they had no prior information about it. The state government, had on Monday, decided to mechanically demolish 'Mount View' and 'Malari Inn' hotels that developed huge cracks recently and were leaning towards each other, posing a risk to the nearby settlements. (PTI)
"People have built their homes from hard-earned money but now they have to leave them. Our priority is to keep everybody safe. PM is constantly monitoring the situation. Officials deployed, Army alerted.Cattle shelter to be made too," Minister of State for Defense Ajay Bhatt told ANI.
As of now, 678 buildings are marked unsafe. Many vacated & the process is still underway. 8 teams of SDRF, 1 NDRF, 1 extra company of PAC & police officials present there. If needed some areas will be sealed. A scientific study of the area is being done, Uttarakhand DGP told ANI.
Minister of State for Defence Ajay Bhatt met the residents in the Sunil ward of Joshimath.
Residents are protesting against the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) related constructions near the Joshimath area in Uttarakhand.
People break down as they leave their homes in Joshimath after authorities mark them 'unsafe' due to land subsidence.
The authorities are conducting a survey of the hotel to be demolished in Joshimath to calculate its compensation. Demolition process to begin soon.
Joshimath Land Subsidence | Minister of State for Defence Ajay Bhatt reaches Joshimath.
He says discussions are being held with the administrative officials at the Army base regarding the situation in Joshimath, reported ANI.
Residents of Joshimath talked to ABP News and expressed their anguish on the administration. They ask where to go now that houses are being demolished, site has been marked unsafe.
The demolition of Hotel Malari Inn in Joshimath is to begin shortly. The SDRF team has been deployed at the spot and announcements are being made through loudspeakers for people to go to safer places.
The Supreme Court on Tuesday declined an urgent hearing on Joshimath sinking and said that everything which is important need not come to the apex court.
"There are democratically elected institutions working on it", the court added, reported ANI.
The court posted the matter for hearing on January 16.
Thakur Singh Rana, the owner of Hotel Malari Inn which will be demolished today, said that he should have been given notice, and a valuation of the hotel should have also been made.
"If being demolished in the public interest, I'm with the government and administration, even if there are only partial cracks in my hotel. But I should've been given notice and a valuation should've been made. I urge for valuation, I'll leave," he told ANI.
Buildings marked under unsafe zone have been vacated & buffer zone in its vicinity is also being vacated. Today a team from CBRI, Roorkee will come here & they will identify the buildings which need to be demolished & under their guidance, further action will be taken: Chamoli DM.
Amid the issue of land subsidence in Joshimath, cracks are also seen on some houses in Bahuguna Nagar of Karnaprayag Municipality.
Authorities at Joshimath said on Tuesday that they will start demolishing hotels and houses in the holy town, which developed cracks in the wake of the landslide and subsidence, as reported by the news agency ANI. Hotels Malari Inn and Mount View, which have developed more cracks, will be demolished on Tuesday, officials said, adding that all residents have been safely evacuated from the 'unsafe zones'.
The demolition of buildings will begin under the supervision of a team of experts from the Central Building Research Institute (CBRI), Roorkee. A team from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) is on standby to assist the district administration in the demolition work, as and when required.
"Experts are on the ground and the administration will take action on their directions and advice," said the NDRF. "They will be demolishing these hotels for the safety of the 15-20 families still living here. Our houses have been destroyed," said Manmohan Singh Rawat, a local, as quoted by ANI.
Officials of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) called on Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami at the Chief Minister's residence on Monday and discussed the relief and rescue operations that raised after landslides in Joshimath. The officials assured the Chief Minister of the investigation into the geographical condition of the Joshimath area and the causes of the landslide and central help in disaster relief.
According to an official statement, the NDMA members suggested that it was that it is necessary to find out where the water is stagnant in the Bhudhsaon area and what are the reasons for the Bhudhsaav.
New Delhi, Jan 8 (PTI) The Congress on Monday demanded that the land subsidence situation in Uttarakhand's Joshimath should be declared a national calamity and all developmental projects in the area halted till a report by experts and environmentalists is submitted on the issue.
The opposition party described it as a man-made disaster and sought enhanced compensation for each house affected due to the "unbridled development" in the area. It asked the government to preserve the old Joshimath town and develop a new town to rehabilitate the residents.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said, "Protect nature. The whole country is worried and is with the people of Joshimath, where unbridled development has created cracks in Uttarakhand's 'Devsthal'." "We have three demands from the Modi government - The Joshimath tragedy should be declared a "national calamity".
"Stop all new projects, including of railways and hydel power, until a newly appointed high-level committee of experts, scientists, environmentalists and local people submits its report," he said in a series of tweets in Hindi.
"The oustees of Joshimath be given adequate compensation from PM CARES fund, instead of only Rs 5000," Kharge also said.
Addressing a press conference, Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera said all development projects in the vicinity of Joshimath should be stalled till the advice of experts and locals is sought.
"We demand that after what is happening in Joshimath, the government should declare it a national calamity, as the state government is unable to handle the situation.
"This is a man-made disaster as all this is happening because of the tunnel of the NTPC that is being dug up and that should be filled up," he told reporters, adding that the problem has erupted due to the blasting in the NTPC tunnel that is being dug up in the area.
Chandigarh, Jan 9 (PTI) Amid the land subsidence crisis that has gripped Joshimath, IIT-Ropar in Punjab on Monday claimed that its researchers had in 2021 predicted a large-scale surface displacement in the Uttarakhand town in a span of two years.
"A team of researchers led by Dr Reet Kamal Tiwari, assistant professor in the Department of Civil Engineering at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Ropar, had carried out the glacial displacement mapping for the 2021 Joshimath flood scenario as early as March 2021. During the study, Dr Tiwari and his then PhD student Dr Akshar Tripathi, who is now working as assistant professor in the Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering at IIT Patna, had predicted a large-scale surface displacement to come up in a span of two years for Joshimath town," a release issued by the institute said.
"They had used Persistent Scatterer SAR Interferometry (PSInSAR) technique using Sentinel-1 satellite data for the study. The predictions ranged between 7.5 cm to 10 cm displacement for buildings in Joshimath city which is enough to cause large scale cracks in buildings, a scenario which is now very much evident in the last few days," the institute said.
The study was presented in a conference held in Lucknow on April 16, 2021, for which Tripathi was awarded the 'Best Paper Award'.
"However, the study was considered to be a hoax and potentially a fear psychosis by many experts in the area," it said.
Chamoli District Magistrate has said that the district administration has begun marking red cross marks on buildings facing potential danger due to land subsidence in Joshimath, reported ANI.
He said that Singhdhar, Gandhinagar, Manoharbaag, and Sunil wards have been declared unsafe. Entry is prohibited in these wards and hence marking is being done, the DM added.
Joshimath's land sinking case was put before the Chief Justice of India on Monday to which the CJI asked the lawyer to mention the case on the list for tomorrow.
The court said it will decide the possible hearing date of the plea on Tuesday.
Inputs: Nipun
Joshimath Land Sinking: Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami says, "We've appealed to everyone to work as a team and save Joshimath. (People of) 68 houses that were in danger have been shifted. A zone of over 600 houses has formed and efforts are underway to shift them."
He added, "PM Modi is also monitoring it and has assured all possible help."
Chamoli DM has informed ANI that the Joshimath area has been declared disaster-prone and two teams of the Central government including a team of the Jal Shakti ministry are arriving here.
Construction activities have been banned in Joshimath and nearby areas. Dry ration kits are being distributed to affected people, he added.
Uttarakhand Chief Secretary and DGP today reviewed the situation in Joshimath and ordered the officials to make proper arrangements to ensure the safety of residents in the region.
The Supreme Court will today hear a plea filed by Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati to declare the Joshimath land sinking crisis a 'National Disaster'.
Relief work continues in Joshimath amid continuous land subsidence. PMO held a high-level meeting and assured all possible assistance to Uttarakhand CM Dhami on Sunday.
CM Pushka Singh Dhami announced constituting of a committee to monitor relief work. He said that relocating affected people is the main focus of the state government as of now.
Emeritus Scientist DM Banerjee of the Indian National Science Academy (INSA) stated on Sunday that the construction of four-lane highways weakens the entire system and should not have occurred.
In an interaction with ANI, Banerjee stated, "Joshimath is located in the lower Himalayas, the rocks are Precambrian in age, and the area is seismic zone 4. Apart from that, people should not have built buildings on this site, especially large ones with three to four stories."
He stated that the basic issue with Joshimath is that it is built on very shaky footing.
Banerjee stated that the government is under intense pressure to make religious sites such as Badrinath and Kedarnath more accessible and approachable to devotees. (ANI Input)
Prime Minister's Office (PMO) holds meeting on Joshimath; Central agencies, experts assisting U'khand govt to prepare short, medium and long term plans: Officials
Tomorrow, the Secretary of Border Management and representatives of the National Disaster Management Authority will travel to Uttarakhand to inspect the situation in Joshimath.
To study and make recommendations, a team of experts from the National Disaster Management Authority, the National Institute of Disaster Management, the Geological Survey of India, IIT Roorkee, the Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, the National Institute of Hydrology, and the Central Building Research Institute will be assembled. (ANI Input)
According to the office of Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has promised all assistance to Joshimath. PM Modi spoke by phone with the Chief Minister as the state government takes immediate action to assist those affected by land subsidence. According to reports, the state government has designated "all nine municipal wards" of the town disaster-affected due to soil subsidence and landslides. Over 500 residences in the region are said to have developed cracks.
PMO to hold a high-level meeting on Joshimath. Principal Secretary to PM, Dr. PK Mishra will hold a high-level review with the Cabinet Secretary & senior officials of the government of India and members of the National Disaster Management Authority at PMO today afternoon, reported ANI.
Jyotirmath admin said that development activities like hydroelectric power projects and tunnels are the reason for the destruction of Joshimath.
Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati told ANI, "We are filing a petition in the Supreme Court pertaining to the urgency of the Joshimath land subsidence issue. Now, it's on the court how soon they will hear and give direction. Over 500 houses have developed cracks. It should be analysed and people should be assured of safety."
Army base in Joshimath has reported cracks in some structures on the campus: Report
A petition was filed in the Supreme Court requesting that the Court intervene promptly to help Uttarakhand's reparation efforts in order to provide immediate relief to the people of Joshimath who are facing extreme weather and threat to their lives and property.
Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati filed the petition, requesting that the present instances of Joshimath soil subsidence be declared a "national disaster" and that the National Disaster Management Authority actively assist Joshimath residents. (ANI Input)
Strong resentment prevails among people here against the government for the indifference with which it treated the warnings about a dangerous situation of buildings in the Himalayan town due to heavy construction activities going on around it.
They hold the NTPC's Tapovan-Vishnugad hydel project mainly responsible for the situation.
"We have been drawing the attention of authorities for the past 14 months. But we were not heeded. Now when the situation is getting out of hand, they are sending expert teams to assess things," Joshimath Bachao Sangharsh Samiti convenor Atul Sati said.
"If attention was paid in time to what we were saying things would not have been so alarming in Joshimath," he added.
Land subsidence had made the houses of 14 families insecure in November 2021 itself, Sati recalls.
He said that people held a demonstration following this at the tehsil office on November 16, 2021 demanding rehabilitation and handed a memorandum to the SDM who acknowledged that even the tehsil office premises had developed cracks .
"If the government was aware of the problem why didn't it act for more than a year to address it? What does that show?" Sati asked.
He said that under the pressure of people immediate steps have been taken like temporary stopping of the NTPC's Tapovan-Vishnugad project and construction of Helang-Marwari bypass but they are not a permanent solution.
"The threat to Joshimath's existence will persist until these projects are stalled permanently," he said.
Joshimath Bachao Sangharsh Samiti will continue to fight till the very end until it is done, he added.
Former Dharmadhikari of Badrinath temple Bhuvan Chandra Uniyal also holds the manner in which the NTPC works for the cracks.
"The tunnel of Tapovan-Vishnugad hydel project is located right beneath Joshimath. Big boring machines were brought for its construction which have been stuck in the ground for the past two decades.
Tons of explosives are used on a daily basis for the tunnel's construction. Land subsidence gained momentum on January 3 due to large amount of explosives used by the NTPC.
Uniyal is also angry with the NTPC for breaking its promise made to people.
"The NTPC had earlier said that construction of the tunnel won't harm the houses of Joshimath. The company had even promised to do insurance of the infrastructure in town. It would have benefited the people. But it did not keep its word," he said.
"We should be told on the basis of scientific facts what is the future of Joshimath. Is it inhabitable or not. If yes, for how long. If not, then the government should take our land and homes and rehabilitate us or else we would lay down our lives on it," Uniyal said. (PTI)
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Saturday said the state government is contemplating if people need to be migrated and rehabilitated from Joshimath, a location for the same is to be chosen. The statement came as he conducted a ground inspection in the town and met the affected families, following an aerial survey.
"Our effort is to make everyone safe. Preparations were made for necessary arrangements. Our first task is to take people to safer areas. Geoscientists are working. There's Guwahati institute, IIT Roorkee, also in talks with ISRO. Everyone finding out causes," CM Dhami told news agency ANI.
He further informed, "We are also contemplating if people need to be migrated from here and rehabilitated. We are also finding out a location for this. As of now, this is the winter season. So, we are looking into the issues that need to be addressed immediately."