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- The subsidence (ground sinking) in Joshimath (at an altitude of over 6,000 feet) in Uttarakhand has delivered stern warning for the State’s administration.
Key Points
- About Joshimath Sinking:
- In 2021, Joshimath was struck in the aftermath of a deluge in the Rishiganga and Dhauliganga rivers.
- This event is what experts are now suggesting likely triggered the current “sinking and cracking”.
- Later that year, Joshimath was battered by a torrential downpour of over 190 mm.
- Following the rains, residents noticed a movement in the cracks and more frighteningly, new cracks as well, with several cropping up inside homes.
- Impacts:
- At least 66 families have fled the town while 561 houses have reported cracks.
- A government official said that over 3000 people have been affected so far.
Land Subsidence
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Reasons for Joshimath’s Land Subsidence
- Incredibly Fragile Ecology:
- Joshimath city has been built on an ancient landslide material — meaning it rests on a deposit of sand and stone, not rock, which doesn’t have high load-bearing capacity.
- This makes the area extremely vulnerable to ever-burgeoning infrastructure and population.
- Blatant Ignorance:
- The current developments in Joshimath are a combination of ignorance and apathy.
- Unplanned Urbanisation:
- The unplanned and unauthorised construction has led to the blocking of the natural flow of water, which eventually results in frequent landslides.
- Natural calamities:
- The area is a seismic zone, which makes it prone to frequent earthquakes.
- The region also faces frequent natural calamities such as landslides and flash floods.
- Ignored the Recommendations of Mishra Committee Report (conducted in 1976):
- The Committee had concluded in its report that the land upon which the town is founded is, in fact, a deposit of sand and stone, the remnants of an ancient landslide.
- The town is not actually built on the “main rock” of the mountain.
- The report also pointed out that undercutting by the currents of the Alaknanda river makes the area even more prone to disasters.
- Hydel Projects:
- The construction of the 520 MW NTPC Tapovan Vishnugad Hydro Power plant has perhaps done more damage to Joshimath’s foundations than anything else.
- The project being constructed on the Dhauliganga river required a tunnel to be built that cut right through the mountain upon which Joshimath is located.
- Land Erosion:
- Due to the running streams from Vishnuprayag and sliding along the natural streams are the other reasons behind the city’s fate.
- Poor Drainage System:
- The lack of a proper drainage system might have also contributed to the sinking of the area.
- Geographic fault:
- It might have been triggered by the reactivation of a geographic fault — defined as a fracture or zone of fractures between two blocks of rock — where the Indian Plate has pushed under the Eurasian Plate along the Himalayas.
Suggestions
- Prohibition of Major Constructions:
- Experts recommend a complete shutdown of development and hydroelectric projects in the region.
- Construction of the NTPC Hydro Power plant and along the Helang Bypass has ceased till further orders.
- Rigorous Replantation:
- Experts have also suggested replantation in the region, especially at the vulnerable sites to retain soil capacity.
- Redevelopment of Drainage System:
- Drainage planning is one of the biggest factors that needs to be studied and redeveloped.
- The state government needs to look into the issue and create a new plan for the drainage system.
- Evacuation of People:
- The government has to put in an order evacuation plans for 4,000 prefabricated homes to help the residents of Joshimath.
- The government must build resilience in the vulnerable areas through improved early warning systems, better construction quality etc.
- Coordination Amongst Organizations:
- There is a need for a coordinated effort between the government and civil bodies with the aid of military organizations to save Joshimath.
- Studies by Technical Resources:
- Technical resources from nearby areas need to be summoned to Joshimath to find a solution.
- The state government also needs to take scientific studies more seriously, which clearly spell out the reasons for the current crisis.
Source: IE
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