Locals in Uttarakhand's Joshimath have been compelled to leave their homes - where they have been living for decades - amid deepening concerns over land subsidence in the ecologically sensitive town. Authorities have been gearing up for demolition and emotional scenes have been witnessed as evacuation efforts are being carried out. The land subsidence has been linked to construction work in the town, which is often frequented by pilgrims on their way to iconic shrines nearby. Chief Minister Pushkar Dhami has been holding meetings over the matter. Safety of people remains the top priority for the state, he has been reiterating.
Here are top updates on the Joshimath situation:
1) On Tuesday, protests were held against state-run National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) as demonstrators claimed that construction related to its Tapovan-Vishnugad hydroelectric project aggravated the situation.
2) NTPC, which is India's largest power producer, had earlier stated that its tunnelling and other work could be blamed for the cracks in the town. "The tunnel… does not pass under Joshimath town," it had underlined in a January 5 statement.
3) At least 678 houses in the town - with an estimated population of 20,000 - have so far been marked to be unsafe. The district administration has been marking the unsafe building with red cross mark.
4) Two hotels - Hotel Malari Inn and Hotel Mount View - are also being demolished apart from hundreds of houses. "Of the two hotels, Malari Inn will be demolished in a step-wise manner today. First of all, the top portion will be demolished. It is being done because both the hotels have tilted and have come very close to each other due to the sinking."
{{/usCountry}}4) Two hotels - Hotel Malari Inn and Hotel Mount View - are also being demolished apart from hundreds of houses. "Of the two hotels, Malari Inn will be demolished in a step-wise manner today. First of all, the top portion will be demolished. It is being done because both the hotels have tilted and have come very close to each other due to the sinking."
{{/usCountry}}5) Shocking visuals have been emerging from the town of cracks in houses and tilted buildings.
6) Not just pilgrims, the town is frequented by tourists and trekkers too.
7) The Chief Minister shared a clip of his interaction with News 18 on Tuesday where he yet again reiterated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was taking regular updates on the matter. On Sunday, CM Dhami's office said in a statement that the two had spoken over the matter.
8) All nine districts in the area were declared unsafe by the government on Sunday. Prime Minister's Office had also held a meeting to review the situation the same day.
9) Experts, which have linked the current developments to extreme weather events and rapid construction, say that the situation worsened over the years.
10) Amid deepening fears, the matter has reached the Supreme Court too.
(With agency inputs)