Joshimath Crisis: Army Relocates Troops From Hill Town, Chief Manoj Pande Says 'No Impact On Readiness'

Gen. Pande said that over 20 military installations around Joshimath in Uttarakhand have suffered "medium to minor damage."

New Delhi: Army Chief Manoj Pande on Thursday said that India has relocated some troops from areas near the Line of Actual Control, or LAC, with China and the sinking Himalayan town of Joshimath. "We remain prepared to relocate more units if required, but our operational preparedness remains intact," Gen. Pande said in an annual address of the state of the army's operations. "There has been no impact to our readiness."

Gen. Pande said that over 20 military installations around Joshimath in Uttarakhand have suffered "medium to minor damage," but he did not specify how many soldiers would be evacuated for safety.

The rapid development of the infrastructure in the town that serves as the entry point for mountain expeditions and pilgrimage destinations like Badrinath has resulted in significant tourist traffic. Its ecosystem has been harmed as a result, and frequent landslides and flash floods have occurred as a result.

The area is also a crucial garrison centre for protecting a significant portion of the Line of Actual Control, a 3,488-kilometer (2,170-mile) border with China. India has over 20,000 troops and military equipment in the region, including artillery and missile systems.

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami Thursday held a meeting with senior district administration officials on the issue of the sinking of Joshimath. He also held meetings with the Army, Indo-Tibetan Police Force, National Disaster Response Force and scientists from various establishments engaged in landslide investigation, district administration, and police, reported ANI.

An amount of Rs 45 crores has been disbursed by the state 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, said the Chief Minister’s Office in a statement. 

According to a bulletin issued on January 9 by the Disaster Management Authority in Chamoli, the number of homes affected by the subsidence increased to 678 and 27 additional families were evacuated to safety. Additionally, 82 families have been relocated to safe locations within the town thus far.

Micro-seismic observation systems will be installed in Joshimath, the Center said on Tuesday.