In just 12 days, Joshimath in Uttarakhand sank 5.4 centimetres, according to a survey by the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO). The National Remote Sensing Center of ISRO has released satellite photographs that reveal the town dropped 5.4 cm between December 27 and January 8. According to the article, which quoted witnesses, "a quick subsidence event that was triggered on January 2, 2022" caused the significant soil sinking. The area near an Army helipad and a temple in the centre of Joshimath saw the sudden dirt movement. According to ISRO's study, the subsidence's "crown is situated close to Joshimath-Auli road at a height of 2,180 metre."
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| The Cartosat-2S satellite was used to capture the images. |
The space agency also discovered that the rate of sinking was far lower earlier in the year. Joshimath sank by 9 centimetres between April and November of last year. Between April and November 2022, there was "slow subsidence up to 9 cm within the Joshimath town," according to the research. Massive fissures are forming in the structures and roadways of the "sinking" temple town, which serves as the entrance to well-known pilgrimage destinations like Badrinath.
A satellite survey led to the relocation of almost 4,000 people to relief camps. Massive fissures are forming in the structures and roadways of the "sinking" temple town, which serves as the entrance to well-known pilgrimage destinations like Badrinath. A satellite survey led to the relocation of almost 4,000 people to relief camps. The Uttarakhand government has stated that 678 homes, in addition to hotels and commercial buildings, are at danger.
Locals and specialists attribute the disaster to haphazard and unplanned infrastructure developments in the area, particularly a power plant that required drilling and blasting in the mountains. Pushkar Singh Dhami, the chief minister of Uttarakhand, said a committee will decide the amount of compensation to be handed to the affected families, keeping in mind the interests of stakeholders. On Thursday, he visited Joshimath and spoke with villagers and experts. "For now, each impacted family will receive 1.5 lakh. This is merely a short-term solution. On the rates of remuneration, we are still working "explained he. In addition, Union Ministers Nitin Gadkari, RK Singh, Bhupendra Yadav, and Gajendra Singh Shekhawat attended a high-level meeting hosted by Home Minister Amit Shah at his residence to examine the situation.