Joshimath sinking: Uttarakhand CM says topmost priority is to rescue everyone
Joshimath (Uttarakhand), January 7: Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhamion Saturday said that scientists have been looking into the cause of the land subsidence in the state's Joshimath and the first priority remains to ensure that people are taken to safer areas.
The Uttarakhand CM conducted a survey of the areas in the town where houses and other establishments, roads and fields have displayed cracks due to land subsidence. He also met with displaced families who were relocated after cracks were seen in their houses.
He had conducted an aerial survey of the affected areas earlier in the day.
Dhami said that after surveying the Marwari area of Joshimath and the Narasingh temple, the walls in Joshimath are developing cracks due to water seepage and that they are trying to safeguard and rescue everyone safely.
"The walls have developed cracked due to the seepage of water. It is our first priority to rescue everyone safely and make necessary arrangements to move them to safer places," Dhami further said. He added that an investigation has been launched to find out the cause of the land subsidence.
"Geoscientists and experts at various institutions like Guwahati institute, IIT Roorkee are working to find the actual cause of the land subsidence. We are even in talks with ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation). We are also contemplating if people need to be migrated from here and rehabilitated. We are also finding out a location for this. As of now, this is the winter season. So, we are looking into the issues that need to be addressed immediately. Moreover, we are also focussing to safeguard the people here before the onset of monsoon."
Addressing the media here, he stated that while it is difficult to evacuate everyone safely, they are taking the necessary precautions to keep it safe in the future for a number of reasons, including the fact that the first Math was established here. The town is vital to the entire country, according to the chief minister.
Also Read | Joshimath sinking: CM Dhami inspects affected areas, meets families
- ANI
