Existential danger looms over Joshimath! What is the reason for cracks in houses, sinking roads? Expert told
There is an atmosphere of panic and fear due to the incidents of land subsidence in Joshimath, Uttarakhand. The ground is bursting, cracks have appeared in about 603 houses and the people of Joshimath are scared. Regarding this matter, Professor Yashpal Sundriyal of HNB Garhwal University, who has been doing research on Himalayan-geology for more than 35 years, has told many important things. He has told some such facts which are very serious.
Villages and cities are built on the debris of landslides
Professor Yashpal explains, “Most of the villages and cities in the mountains are built on landslide debris or slopes. The speed with which development works are being done in Joshimath has been a cause of problems for many years. Looking at the recent incidents, the government will have to wake up and come into action mode. The surface of Joshimath has less rock and more soil. Along with this, due to leakage of water due to poor water management and sewer management, the foundation of Joshimath has become weak.
It is natural for foundations to crack
Professor Yashpal further says, “The tunnels were being blasted in the Vishnu Garud project of NTPC. These explosions are so powerful that artificial earthquakes are being created. The foundation of the city situated on a slope will crack and it is natural that the ground will sink. Along with this, it should also be kept in mind that most of the areas of Uttarakhand are settled on slope or debris of landslides.
Reasons as well as some questions from the professor
Along with giving the reason, the professor has also raised some questions. They say who gave permission to build buildings at such a height in Joshimath. Governments try to get rid of this problem by giving compensation and displacement. Why was the report of Mishra Committee-1976 not implemented?
The government has to work in a regular manner
He said that the then Garhwal Commissioner GC Mishra had said in his report that there should not be big constructions in Joshimath. Despite this, NTPC and Helang-Malvadi bypass are being built here. The Uttarakhand government will have to work in a regular manner. The habit of coming into action after the situation worsens will have to be changed.
Fabricated houses should be built in these areas
Professor Yashpal said that town planning has not been done here. We are in very delicate times. Joshimath can still be saved. Only fabricated houses should be built in these areas. Told that in 1946, renowned geologist Augusto Ganser had said in his research that Joshimath is a city built on the debris of a landslide.
On the other hand, Disaster Secretary Dr. Ranjit Sinha has denied that development work is the reason for the disaster in Joshmanth. Till now due to NTPC tunnel construction and Helang Marwari bypass construction, cracks are coming in land and houses in Joshimath. So far no evidence has come to the fore regarding this matter. However, the Disaster Management Department is constantly investigating this. Dr. Sinha has agreed that Joshimath is a city situated on a delicate surface, where solving the drainage problem is the first priority. Along with that, the biggest task and mission is to take people to a safe place.
Dr. Sinha also agreed that buildings above 12 meters should not have been built in Joshimath. In this regard, the Disaster Management Department along with CBRI Roorkee will conduct a thorough investigation and will also take action.
At the same time, during a conference in Uttarkashi, former Chief Minister of Uttarakhand Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank said that there is no need for big projects in Uttarakhand because Uttarakhand is a sensitive state. The mountains here are very sensitive and big projects cause havoc in the mountains.
