Joshimath Sinking: 6-feet hole amid Monsoon rain sparks fresh fears
Joshimath Sinking: Panic has gripped residents of Joshimath yet again over fresh incidents of land subsidence. According to an eyewitness, a 6-ft deep hole has appeared in a field in Joshimath in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli.
This has raised new concerns about geological instability caused by monsoon rains in the pilgrim gateway town, where hundreds of residents were moved to safer areas in January after numerous houses developed dangerous cracks.
“I discovered a 6-foot-deep hole in a small field near my house. It appears to have been developed due to monsoon rains,” said Vinod Saklani, a resident of Sunil ward in Joshimath. "We are concerned that the rains will cause more damage to structures in our town. I filled the hole with stone and soil. Even cracks in damaged houses are slowly but steadily expanding ."
Two years ago, the Saklani family was among the first in town to notice cracks in their house. In early January of this year, the situation worsened. "I have been living in a hotel (in a safer location) since January 6 and visiting my house every day during the day to take care of the cattle tied in the field near the house," Saklani explained.
On Sunday, local authorities paid a visit to the place. "They said a technical team would come on Monday to thoroughly inspect the hole," Saklani said.
So far, 868 structures in Joshimath, the gateway town to the Hindu shrine of Badrinath, have developed cracks, with 181 declared unsafe. Hundreds of people were evacuated earlier this year and most of them are still living in relief camps.
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- With inputs from agencies
