Wednesday, 04 January 2023 | PNS | JOSHIMATH
The land subsidence situation in Joshimath is worsening by the day with various parts of the city experiencing fresh subsidence late on Monday night. Due to subsidence in the Marwadi ward, quarters in the colony of a company involved in power projects also developed cracks. The locals and authorities are concerned as muddy water also started gushing from behind the colony.
It will be recalled that on Monday chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami held a meeting with officials to review the situation in Joshimath. He directed officials to also prepare for temporary relief measures and rehabilitation of affected families if needed. The selection of the firm for execution of recommendations made by an expert team is to be done later this month. According to officials, light land subsidence has been occurring in Joshimath since the 1970s, the problem has become alarming after the flood in the Dhauliganga river in February 2021 which eroded the land on the bank of the Alaknanda river. In July 2022, an expert team was formed by the Disaster Management and Rehabilitation department to study the problem and recommend measures to tackle it.This expert team surveyed the affected area in August 2022 and also submitted its report along with recommendations. The expert team has recommended that proper arrangements should be made for disposal of rain water and the water from households, construction of embankment to check erosion being caused by the Alaknanda, strengthening/channelisation of nullahs flowing through Joshimath city and controlling construction activities in the area according to the carrying capacity.
