Demolition process of two hotels in Joshimath starts, about 4,000 people evacuated, SC declines urgent hearing

JOSHIMATH: The buildings which developed cracks in Joshimath will be demolished from today. Nearly 4000 people have been evacuated as part of it. The demolition process of two hotels which developed cracks has started. The hotels ‘Mount View’ and ‘Malari Inn’ will be demolished today.

Meantime, the Supreme Court declined an urgent hearing on Joshimath case. The pleas will be considered on January 16. Cracks have developed in almost 600 buildings in Joshimath. About thirty percent of the people have been affected by the disaster.

The magistrate has informed that he has directed to stop all construction work in Joshimath. The place has been divided into three zones, danger, buffer and completely safe. People will be shifted from landslide-prone areas. The magistrate said temporary places have been found for them.

Minister of State for defence Ajay Bhatt has reached Joshimath. The minister's visit is after cracks found in buildings of the army camp. After Joshimath, cracks developed in houses at Uttarakhand's Karnaprayag municipality. There are also unconfirmed reports of landslides in some places. Karnaprayag is about eighty kilometers away from Joshimath.