The local government has designated the holy town of Joshimath in Uttarakhand, which has a population of about 20,000, as disaster-prone. Joshimath, a hill town in Uttarakhand, has raised concerns due to its sinking ground, which has resulted in fractures emerging in more than 700 houses and endangering communities throughout much of the town.

The local government has deemed the sacred town, which has 20,000 residents, to be disaster-prone. The region around Joshimath has been declared disaster-prone. Joshimath and the surrounding areas have been declared construction-free zones, according to the Chamoli DM.

The sacred town of Joshimath is said to have been constructed on the site of a long-ago landslide. This small Himalayan town was under increased strain due to increasing urbanisation. Researchers asserted that because urbanisation interferes with natural water drainage, undermines slopes, and causes an uncontrolled release of water, it has historically gotten the city’s condition worse.

One of the main causes of widespread landslides in the area is excessive building. According to DP Kanungo, head scientist of the CSIR, as many as 128 landslides were reported in the Chamoli-Joshimath area between 2009 and 2012. 

A prior independent group to survey the area was established in June 2021 at the request of nearby citizens. The committee also suggested an elaborate plan, stating that “additional excavation efforts will submerge Joshimath,” survey by multi-institutional experts. 

Initiatives by the Government 

A top official announced on Wednesday that buildings, such as homes and hotels, that have developed wide fissures and are in danger of collapsing would be razed within a week.

Every afflicted family would receive Rs 1.5 lakh immediately as compensation for losing their home, the government declared. “For impacted households, the Chief Minister has offered interim assistance of Rs. 150,000. Along with this, individuals in need would also receive Rs 50,000 in supplementary aid,” R. Meenakshi Sundaram, the CM of Uttarakhand’s secretary, stated.

The locals who were impacted by the landslide will get market-based compensation. The Office of CM Pushkar Singh Dhami stated that the market rate would be determined after considering ideas from the interested parties. 

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