Joshimath cracks likely due to constructions in spring zone, says report

The Central Water Commission has attributed the cracks and ground fissures in Joshimath of Chamoli district of Uttarakhand to the rampant construction in the spring zone of the holy town.

- Neeraj Santoshi

The panel's "Hydrological investigation report on land subsidence in Joshimath", submitted before the Uttarakhand high court on Wednesday, said that the construction of buildings stopped the flow of spring water.

"Cessation of spring flow increases the pore pressure which ultimately rendered the burst of groundwater in the form of spring in JP residential premises. In nutshell, construction in the spring zone may be the reason for recent land subsidence," the report said.