Uttarakand's sinking town declared 'landslide-subsidence zone'

Dehradun: The sinking town in Uttarkhand, Joshimath, has been declared as a landslide-subsidence zone, and more than 60 families have been evacuated to temporary relief centres after their houses got damaged, PTI reported.

According to the Garhwal Commissioner Sushil Kumar, at least 90 more families are required to be evacuated to the relief centres set up by the local administration at four-five places there. Joshimath has been declared a landslide-subsidence zone, he said.

Chamoli District Magistrate (DM) Himanshu Khurana went from door to door in the affected area to take stock of the damage. He appealed to people living in houses that have developed cracks to move to the relief centres.

Commissioner Kumar is heading a committee that monitors the situation in Joshimath on the ground level. He has been camping in the area since Thursday.

He said that 610 out of the total of 4,500 buildings in the town have developed cracks and turned unfit for habitation. A survey is going on there, and the number of affected buildings might rise.

According to the official, the affected region, including the damaged buildings and houses, stretches over 1.5 km. Buildings, a few hotels, a gurdwara and two inter-colleges were turned into makeshift shelters to accommodate 1,500 people.

"Land subsidence has been going on slowly in Joshimath for quite some time, but it has increased over the past week with huge cracks appearing in houses, fields and roads," the Garhwal commissioner said.