Joshimath sank 5.4 cm in 12 days: ISRO
New Delhi The Indian Space Research Organization on Friday released photographs showing Joshimath’s first satellite proof of subsidence, showing that the town sank by 5.4 cm in just 12 days after a subsidence event on January 2.
ISRO said that between December 27, 2022 and January 8, 2023, the intensity of land subsidence in Joshimath increased over the previous months, and the town sank by 5.4 cm during these 12 days, releasing images captured by the Cartosat 25 satellite.
The preliminary data, which were shared today by the National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC) of ISRO, also revealed that land subsidence in Joshimath occurred much more slowly between April and November 2022, when the town sank by 8.9 centimeters.
Within days, the affected area decreased by 5 centimeters and remained restricted to the town’s center.
According to the ISRO report, “a subsidence zone resembling a generic landslide shape was identified with a tapered top and fanning out at the base” was found near the Joshimath-Auli road at a height of 2,180 meters.
The Army helipad and Narsingh Temple are also prominent landmarks in the subsidence zone across central Joshimath, as shown by the images.
The findings were made on the same day that the Uttarakhand Cabinet, which was led by Chief Minister Puskhar Singh Dhami, approved the release of Rs 45 crore from the state emergency fund in order to provide temporary assistance to the affected population. Every affected family will receive an interim sum of Rs 1.50 lakh as part of the approved compensation; payment deferral for power and water bills until November 2022; and a rent of Rs. 5,000 per month for displaced families.
