Breaking

9 Jan 2023

Joshimath Sinking: PM Modi Assures All Help; Scientists Tell What Led To The Disaster

Joshimath:  The people affected by cracks in the land and houses in Joshimath are being shifted to safer places and 'Relief Camp' is their new abode for the time being.
According to the administration, so far cracks have been seen in a total of 561 houses.
There is a state of fear among the affected people. Joshimath is the gateway to major pilgrimage centers of Hindus and Sikhs. It is also a favorite place for tourists trekking in the higher reaches of the Himalayas.

Dhami, in a tweet, added, “The situation in Joshimath is being analysed. We’ll also see if other mountainous towns have achieved their toleration limit.”

PM assures all possible help

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Sunday to inquire about the situation arising out of the landslide.
The Prime Minister inquired about the preparations for the safety and rehabilitation of the affected families of Joshimath. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also assured the Chief Minister of 'all possible help' from the Centre.

Not a new phenomenon

The appearance of cracks on many roads and houses across Joshimath, due to land subsidence, is neither a new phenomenon in this region — nor a reversible one. The main problem has been the fact that the town has come up on relatively loose soil, deposited by landslides triggered by earthquakes.

Four-lane highway weakened entire system

Retired scientist of the Indian National Science Academy (INSA) DM Banerjee has said that the construction of the four-lane highway has weakened the entire system and should not have been built.
Scientist DM Banerjee told that Joshimath comes in the lower Himalayan region and falls in Seismic Zone 4. People should not have built houses of three or four storeys here.
According to him, Joshimath is on very weak ground. This whole town is situated on the land formed due to a huge landslide that occurred 6000-7000 years ago.

Mountain has become hollow from inside

Locals allege that the mountain has become hollow from inside due to the ongoing thermal projects around Joshimath.
Atul Sati, convenor of the Joshimath Bachao Sangharsh Samiti, says, "Why has the government stopped the construction work now when we are on the verge of being buried in the ground. Why didn't they pay attention to us earlier."

Assault on the Himalayas is on

Veteran environmentalist Ravi Chopra said Joshimath Hill is located on old, natural landslide debris that has stabilized over hundreds of years. He said the government wants rapid economic growth which requires quick exploitation of commercial energy. Hence, it started the disastrous Tapovan-Vishnugad Project. Chopra said the Joshimath disaster is not over. It is still evolving. I still believe that the assault on the Himalayas is on, he added.

No comments:

Post a Comment

Pages