Rains Add to the Woes of Sinking Joshimath; Fresh Cracks Appear in Buildings

Joshimath: Buildings in Joshimath started to get fresh cracks and the old ones widened on Thursday with the rains that occurred in this Himalayan town. Rains on Wednesday night panicked the Joshimath residents further. Several panic-stricken residents left their homes during the rains to return back when the rains subsided.

Commenting on the present situation in Joshimath, Army Chief General Manoj Pande said Army jawans have been sent to Joshimath for the rescue and evacuation process. Meanwhile, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Dhami reached Joshimath on Wednesday. He discussed with protesters in the town, who alleged that authorities did not properly study the impact of undertaking underground development works in the area. They demanded proper compensation for unsafe buildings that are to be demolished.

CM Dhami on Thursday offered prayers at the Narsingh Temple in Joshimath.

Joshimath at the foothill of the Himalayas is the gateway to Badrinath and Hemkund Sahib, and the international skiing destination Auli. It is now facing land subsidence.

A team of experts from CSIR-National Geophysical Research Institute (NGRI) is also to visit  Joshimath, to conduct subsurface physical mapping of the affected town.