Alarm bells in Joshimath: Cracks across town, over 500 homes hit
Ensure temporary rehabilitation centres at safe locations, aid camps and medical facilities, including facilities for airlift operations; evacuate danger zones; activate the disaster control room immediately; draw up drainage plans in less-affected areas.
These were some of the key directions issued Friday by Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami days after roads and over 560 houses in Joshimath, a key transit point for tourists travelling to Badrinath and Hemkund Sahib, developed cracks due to land subsidence, triggering panic and protests among the local population.
The orders were issued after Dhami attended a high-level meeting with senior officials through video conference from the state secretariat. The Chief Minister is set to visit Joshimath Saturday. (Read more)