UTTARAKHAND: All the 600 families that complained of wide cracks in their houses situated in the sinking Joshimath town of Uttarakhand have been safely evacuated. As per a senior official from the Home Ministry, around 4000 people have been shifted to a safe location.
In the last 48 hours, the number of houses damaged due to landslides increased to 603. Cracks were also witnessed in parts of the ITBP and Army establishments, the senior officer said. Going by reports- one NDRF and 4 SDRF teams have been deployed in the Joshimath town area. According to a report developed by the teams- 30 percent of the town is affected. Around 200 houses have been marked unsafe and residents have been asked to immediately leave the place. Meanwhile, a high-level central team led by Border Management, Dr. Dharmedra Singh Gangwar convened with the CM.
According to Geologist Piyoosh Rautela, the water discharged from a burst subterranean aquifer (rock formation that holds groundwater) on the intervening night of January 2 and 3 resulted in cracks developing in houses and other concrete structures in the town. Preliminary investigation reveals the subsidence was due to the bursting of underground water in the first week of January.