The existence of Joshimath, which is the last city of the country, situated on the Indo-Chinese border, and is important from religious, strategic, and environmental points of view, is in grave danger. The city, which is shifting towards the Alakhnanda River, is witnessing its land sinking in, because of which, 561 houses now have cracks in them. And now, water has started seeping in from these cracks. Many people have left their homes.
Geologists have warned that if immediate decisive action does not take place, a massive disaster can follow, and the very existence of Joshimath can come to an end. The people of Joshimath protested for two days in a row, after which, the government stalled the work on the NTPC Tapovan Vishnugarh Jal Vidyut Pariyojana, and the Helang Bypass. The government, on Thursday, also ordered to construct 2000 pre-fabricated houses.
Back in February 2021, the flood in the Tapovan Jal Vidyut Pariyojana had led to a lot of losses, with debris entering the tunnel. The tunnel is now closed down. The project’s 16 KM-long tunnel has been laid from under Joshimath. Scientists are of the opinion that possibly gas is forming in the tunnel, which is exerting pressure upwards, and that is why, the land is sinking in.
