As fearful residents of Joshimath continue their protests over the town’s apparent sinking and appearance of cracks in their houses, Uttarakhand State Disaster Management Authority (USDMA) has ordered a detailed bearing capacity analysis of the border town, regarded as the gateway to Badrinath, Valley of Flowers and Auli, following cracks in almost 500 houses.
USDMA, in its latest meeting, minutes of which are with TOI, ordered the Irrigation department to “make a drainage plan and conduct ageological studyof the town”
The panel also pointed out that the damage wasn’t restricted to floors or walls of houses. It extended to ceilings, ran through houses, including courtyards and outdoor areas, and even dislocated beams, resulting in lopsided structures.
The state irrigation department has also been tasked to make a plan to stop ongoing land erosion by Alaknanda river which has been attributed as one of the primary reasons behind the ‘sinking’ by the panel.