Himanshu Khurana, the District Magistrate (DM) of Chamoli, confirmed that some areas have witnessed a widening of building cracks following heavy snowfall in Joshimath, which is experiencing land subsidence.

The DM stated that the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and police teams are on high alert in case of any potential tragic events resulting from the heavy snowfall in Joshimath. He said that the team is working to provide all necessary facilities like heaters, hot water, and others to the families in the relief camps in Joshimath. He also reported that due to the heavy snowfall in Joshimath, there have been reports of widening cracks in buildings in some areas. Additionally, an executive-level engineer is present in the camp to monitor and address any electricity issues in the relief camps.

Ranjit Kumar Sinha, the Secretary of Disaster Management, briefed the media on the rehabilitation and relief efforts underway in Joshimath. He disclosed that an immediate assistance of Rs 4 lakhs, distributed at the rate of Rs 50 thousand per family, has been provided to eight affected tenants. Additionally, over Rs 3.27 crores have been given as advance relief to 218 affected families in Joshimath. He also mentioned that 18 pregnant women in the municipal area of Joshimath are not in relief camps, but are living in their own homes and are being monitored with continuous health tests. Moreover, there are 81 children below the age of 10 years in the relief camps, who are being medically examined. Furthermore, Sinha said that technical institutes from both the Central and State governments are conducting surveys and study work on a regular basis in Joshimath.