Residents of Joshimath are shrouded by the dark clouds of relocation amid the sinking town. Some of their tears dissolved in the steady drizzle as they stood in the cold, openly sobbing and singing songs of the pain of displacement. They have been saying they don’t want to move and that if the government is serious about their problem, it needs to find a “permanent solution.”

Residents Of Joshimath In Deep Sorrow

On Wednesday, several residents gathered at the Joshimath tehsil, as they sang a Garhwali composition penned by local artiste Jagbir Singh and praying to lord Badrinath to save them from their plight and not make them leave their birthplace.

“We Are People Of Snow”

People from Mana, a village on India-China Border, also visited Joshimath in solidarity with sinking town’s people.

Pitambar Singh Molpha, Pradhan of Mana Village said “We are people of snow. How will we live in plains? We can’t live anywhere else. The government needs to come up with a permanent solution to save our town.”

Many people from Mana has migrated to Joshimath during winter and spend around six months in the town.

Also Read: What History Will The Sinking Town Become? Environmental Expert Reveals Some Shocking Facts

CM Dhami Faces Questions By Residents Of The Sinking Town

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami faced tough questions from residents of Joshimath who claimed that the land subsidence in the township was because of “unscientific” development work even as he claimed that it is a “natural disaster”.

Geological experts have said that the subsidence in Joshimath town was apparently because of damage to underground water strata while NTPC was digging a tunnel some years ago and the locals have attributed the spurt in the activity to use of heavy machinery for construction of Helang by-pass as part of Char Dham road project.

After offering prayers at Narsingh Devta temple, the winter abode of Lord Badrinath, on Thursday morning, Dhami told media persons, “It is a natural disaster and has not been caused by anyone. In this hour of crisis, we are with the people of Joshimath and will help them in all possible ways.”

Asked about the cracks in houses in Chamoli’s Karnaprayag, he said, “It is an old problem. We are working to resolve it.” After reports of the cracks there, the Uttarakhand government has asked IIT-Roorkee to conduct a scientific survey to find the reasons.