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Time of India
03-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
Centre sanctions Rs 291 crore to stabilise subsidence-hit Jyotirmath
Dehradun: The Centre on Saturday approved Rs 291 crore for stabilisation and reconstruction work in subsidence-affected Jyotirmath, where over one-fifth of structures were damaged, a day before Badrinath portals opened on Sunday morning. Jyotirmath, earlier known as Joshimath, lies 45km before Badrinath and serves as a route to Auli. On Jan 2, 2023, several buildings and roads developed cracks due to land subsidence, affecting about 22% of the town's structures. The crisis, which also saw a temple collapse and over 860 homes sustain damage, led to mass evacuations and suspension of construction. A 35-member team of experts from the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Uttarakhand State Disaster Management Authority (USDMA), Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee (IIT Roorkee), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Central Building Research Institute (CBRI), Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology (Wadia Institute), and National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM) visited the area in the fourth week of April 2023 to conduct a post-disaster need assessment (PDNA). They examined damage to housing, health, education, water and sanitation, roads, bridges, disaster risk reduction, and long-term recovery planning. Following the inspection, a high-level committee approved financial support for reconstruction and stabilisation efforts. The USDMA submitted a detailed project report (DPR) proposing measures to prevent further subsidence and improve facilities for residents. The DPR was first sent to NDMA and later to the ministry of home affairs for final clearance. In the first phase, planned work includes toe protection along the Alaknanda river, slope stabilisation, and upgrades to the town's drainage and sewage systems. These measures aim to restore land stability and provide a safe base for rebuilding homes and essential infrastructure. CM Pushkar Singh Dhami met with PM Narendra Modi and home minister Amit Shah to push for the release of funds. The Centre approved the funding after repeated requests from the state and recommendations from the home ministry. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Google Brain Co-Founder Andrew Ng, Recommends: Read These 5 Books And Turn Your Life Around Blinkist: Andrew Ng's Reading List Undo Dhami said, "On the eve of the opening of the doors of Lord Shri Badri Vishal, heartfelt gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah for giving a significant gift to Uttarakhand. The state govt is committed to the planned development of Jyotirmath. I assure the people of Jyotirmath that the dream of a safe, developed, planned, and beautiful Jyotirmath city will soon be realised. No effort will be spared for this." Jyotirmath, in Chamoli district, is a gateway to important pilgrimage sites like Badrinath and Hemkund Sahib. The town was built on ancient landslide debris and lies within seismic Zone V, near a major tectonic fault line known as the Main Central Thrust, making it highly vulnerable to land movement. Experts have linked the 2023 subsidence to multiple causes, including unregulated construction, blocked natural drainage, population pressure, and large infrastructure projects. Climate change-related extreme weather events, such as the 2013 and 2021 Uttarakhand floods, have further weakened the terrain. The region also lacks an effective drainage system, worsening underground water seepage and destabilising land under homes. Satellite data suggests some parts of Jyotirmath are sinking by as much as 94mm annually, raising concerns about the viability of heavy construction in the Himalayan belt.
Time of India
22-04-2025
- Time of India
Tabletop exercise held ahead of mock drill for Char Dham Yatra disaster preparedness
Dehradun: Ahead of the full-scale mock drill scheduled for Thursday, a tabletop exercise (TTEX) was conducted on Tuesday under the Incident Response System (IRS) framework to enhance disaster preparedness for the upcoming Char Dham Yatra. The objective is to evaluate the on-ground preparedness of various line departments in handling potential disasters during the pilgrimage. The mock drill is being jointly organised by the Uttarakhand State Disaster Management Authority (USDMA) and the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA). "These drills aim to test inter-departmental coordination, resource mobilisation and emergency response protocols ahead of the high-footfall yatra season," said Vinod Kumar Suman, secretary of the disaster management department. NDMA member Lt Gen Syed Ata Hasnain (retd) reviewed the preparations at the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) in Dehradun. He emphasised that such mock drills provide a crucial opportunity to assess the readiness, capabilities and resources of various agencies. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Google Brain Co-Founder Andrew Ng, Recommends: Read These 5 Books And Turn Your Life Around Blinkist: Andrew Ng's Reading List Undo Hasnain highlighted the significance of the Char Dham Yatra, calling it "not just a religious journey for Uttarakhand, but a national pilgrimage" attracting lakhs of devotees from across the globe. He also praised the recent forest fire mock drill conducted by USDMA and commended the state's awareness initiatives. "USDMA is fully prepared to tackle any emergency during the pilgrimage. Coordination is ongoing with all line departments and nodal officers will be stationed at the emergency centre for real-time monitoring. Police and tourism control room feeds will also be integrated for better oversight," Suman said, adding that chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami is personally monitoring the preparations to ensure a safe and smooth yatra. Additional CEO (implementation) DIG Rajkumar Negi showcased the department's preparedness using GIS mapping and risk mitigation strategies for vulnerable areas. The upcoming mock drill will focus on ensuring all departments function in synergy under the IRS framework. The session concluded with USDMA's additional CEO (admin) Anand Swaroop urging 100% participation from all departments in the drill. Senior officials from NDMA, SDRF and BKTC also participated in the planning session. Dehradun: Ahead of the full-scale mock drill scheduled for Thursday, a tabletop exercise (TTEX) was conducted on Tuesday under the Incident Response System (IRS) framework to enhance disaster preparedness for the upcoming Char Dham Yatra. The objective is to evaluate the on-ground preparedness of various line departments in handling potential disasters during the pilgrimage. The mock drill is being jointly organised by the Uttarakhand State Disaster Management Authority (USDMA) and the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA). "These drills aim to test inter-departmental coordination, resource mobilisation and emergency response protocols ahead of the high-footfall yatra season," said Vinod Kumar Suman, secretary of the disaster management department. NDMA member Lt Gen Syed Ata Hasnain (retd) reviewed the preparations at the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) in Dehradun. He emphasised that such mock drills provide a crucial opportunity to assess the readiness, capabilities and resources of various agencies. Hasnain highlighted the significance of the Char Dham Yatra, calling it "not just a religious journey for Uttarakhand, but a national pilgrimage" attracting lakhs of devotees from across the globe. He also praised the recent forest fire mock drill conducted by USDMA and commended the state's awareness initiatives. "USDMA is fully prepared to tackle any emergency during the pilgrimage. Coordination is ongoing with all line departments and nodal officers will be stationed at the emergency centre for real-time monitoring. Police and tourism control room feeds will also be integrated for better oversight," Suman said, adding that chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami is personally monitoring the preparations to ensure a safe and smooth yatra. Additional CEO (implementation) DIG Rajkumar Negi showcased the department's preparedness using GIS mapping and risk mitigation strategies for vulnerable areas. The upcoming mock drill will focus on ensuring all departments function in synergy under the IRS framework. The session concluded with USDMA's additional CEO (admin) Anand Swaroop urging 100% participation from all departments in the drill. Senior officials from NDMA, SDRF and BKTC also participated in the planning session.
