A day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's office called a high-level meeting to discuss short- and long-term relief measures, Uttarakhand state's Chamoli district authorities declared Joshimath a "disaster-prone area."
"... Two teams from the central government, including a team from the Jal Shakti (Water) ministry, are arriving here. Construction activities have been banned in Joshimath and nearby areas. Dry ration kits are being distributed to the affected people," Chamoli District Magistrate Himanshu Khurana said Monday morning.
On Sunday, a statement from the PMO said that the Prime Minister was personally monitoring the situation in Joshimath and the federal government was assisting the Uttarakhand government in handling the matter.
Khurana said that the administration's relief centers are being regularly inspected to check if the affected people have all the basic facilities.
The announcement comes following a door-to-door survey of areas affected by continuing land subsidence, while residents are being temporarily shifted to safer places and relief camps.
As per the Chamoli District Disaster Management Authority, out of a total of 4,500 buildings in Joshimath, more than 600 have developed cracks and hence are unfit for human habitation. Around 70 families have been displaced from their homes so far.
On the other hand, 229 rooms have been identified where the administration plans to house 1,271 people.
Moreover, the disaster management body stated the hotels that have tilted in one direction or have witnessed cracks have been asked to suspend operations.
All development projects have been halted in Joshimath. These include the suspension of work on the under-construction Chardham highway and the hydel projects being executed by the state-run National Thermal Power Corporation Limited.
In addition, construction activities, being carried out by the municipal body of the town, have been banned.