The National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC), chaired by Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba, examined the situation in Joshimath on Tuesday and was informed by Uttarakhand Chief Secretary Sukhbir Singh Sandhu that residents of severely damaged homes were being relocated to safer locations.
“Sandhu also informed the NCMC that relief shelters for impacted families have been identified in Joshimath and Pipalkoti. According to an official, the state government is providing them with appropriate compensation and relief measures.
Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla informed the committee that a high-level Central MHA team led by the Secretary of Border Management is assessing the situation in Joshimath. “Gauba emphasised that the immediate priority must be the total and safe evacuation of all impacted residents. Priority may be given to the safe demolition of vulnerable structures. The official stated that all geotechnical, geophysical, and hydrological studies and investigations must be done in a coordinated and timely manner.
“CS Sandhu also reported that the Joshimath-Auli ropeway has ceased operating. Construction in and around the municipality of Joshimath has also been halted pending further directions. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) have been deployed to assist the district administration in their relief and restoration operations, according to the official.
“Member Secretary of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) informed the committee that on January 6 and 7, a team of experts from the Central Building Research Institute (CBRI), Geological Survey of India (GSI), Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM), and National Institute of Hydrology visited the affected areas to assess the situation. According to the source, the team also communicated with district administration to determine their needs.
Members of NDMA, Chief of Integrated Defence Staff to the Chairman, Chiefs of Staff Committee, Scientific Secretary to Chairman ISRO, Chairman Central Water Commission, DG-NDRF, DG-Geological Survey of India, Scientist(SG)-National Remote Sensing Centre, CMD-NTPC, Director National Centre of Seismology, and DG Border Management also attended the meeting.
