600 families to be evacuated as government prepares plans to save sinking Joshimath

With the land subsidence continuing at Joshimath town of Uttarakhand, amid panic and protests by locals, the Pushkar Singh Dhami-led Uttarakhand government ordered the 600 families living in at-risk houses to be evacuated to safer locations. Earlier, the district administration distributed all the necessary assistance funds for essential household items to the affected families. Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister Office, PK Mishra, held a high-level review meeting on the Joshimath situation on Sunday. At the meeting, the Centre constituted a team of experts from seven different organisations to study and submit its recommendations. A team of experts from the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), National Institute of Disaster Management, Geological Survey of India, Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, IIT Roorkee, National Institute of Hydrology and Central Building Research Institute have been tasked to study and give recommendations on Joshimath situation. The decision was taken in a high-level review meeting chaired by the Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister. The gateway to pilgrimage sites like Badrinath and Hemkund Sahib, Joshimath is facing a major challenge due to land subsidence, with more than 600 houses developing cracks. The Prime Minister is personally monitoring the situation in Joshimath and the ongoing work to ensure the safety of civilians in the area.

 (AFP)