The subsidence zone of Joshimath sank 5.4cm in 12 days between December 2020 and January 2023, while it recorded 9cm in seven months between April and November 2022.
Hyderabad-based National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC) of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has released satellite images of Joshimath along with a preliminary report on the sinking town due to land subsidence. The images and reports reveal that the Uttarakhand town has recorded a land subsidence of 5.4cm in the last 12 days, that is from December 27, 2022, to January 8, 2023.
The pictures taken from the Cartosat-2S satellite indicate that the town may sink soon. A 9cm subsidence was recorded in Joshimath between April to November 2022, showing that the sinking has been rapid in the last 12 days. The NSRC said that a rapid subsidence event was triggered between December last week and January first week.
The entire town of Joshimath, including the Army helipad and the Narasimha temple, has been marked as a sensitive zone in the satellite images. The Uttarakhand government on the basis of the report is conducting rescue operations and emergency evacuations in the danger-prone zone. As per media reports, the subsidence zone is located at central Joshimath only including the Army Helipad and Narsingh Mandir, the satellite images revealed. The crown of the subsidence is located near Joshimath-Auli road at a height of 2,180m.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister has announced an interim aid for every affected family of Rs 1.5 lakh as compensation for losing their home. Additional assistance of Rs 50,000 has also been announced for those who are facing difficulties. In bone-chilling winters and a natural disaster, locals in Joshimath, are helpless in the face of a bleak future amid anger and a sense of loss. There is also panic among people who are on the verge of losing their lives and sense of normalcy.