The Precarious Ground: Land Subsidence in Joshimath and Beyond

Posted by: Junaid KC Comments: 0 Post Date: June 30, 2025

Land subsidence, the gradual sinking of the Earth’s surface, presents an escalating challenge, particularly in geologically fragile regions like the Himalayas. This phenomenon can occur as a result of natural processes, such as geological activity, or human activities, such as mining, groundwater extraction, or construction. Subsidence can lead to significant structural damage, altered landscapes, and increased vulnerability in geologically fragile regions. India’s Joshimath (now known as Jyotirmath), an ancient town nestled in Uttarakhand, stands as a stark example of the long-term consequences of this phenomenon, marked by a history of warnings, devastating impacts, and ongoing efforts for rehabilitation.

The context of land subsidence in the Himalayas is further illuminated by studies on the region’s active tectonics. A 1996 study focusing on the Dehradun valley in western Uttar Pradesh (now Uttarakhand), for instance, provides evidence of “recent crustal adjustments” (Rautela & Sati, 1996) . This research highlights that the compression responsible for the formation of the Himalayan mountain range, a result of the India-Asia plate collision, has not ceased and continues to cause strain in the foreland basin of the Himalayas. The study identified various forms of neotectonic movements, including tilted and deformed terraces, colluvial wedges, faulting in stream terraces, and active land subsidence, where land has subsided by about 5 meters in areas like northwest of Santhaladevi shrine. It also noted the presence of continuously opening fractures in houses within Dehradun city itself. 

The crisis in Joshimath itself is not a recent development but one that has been decades in the making. As early as 1976, the Mishra Committee report indicated that Joshimath was situated on an ancient landslide zone, with its subsurface composed of sand and stone deposits rather than solid rock (Narendra Sethi & Narendra Sethi, 2025).  The committee cautioned that the area was “not suitable for a township” and recommended a ban on heavy construction. Despite these warnings, the town expanded significantly, becoming a crucial transit hub for pilgrims and tourists. Over time, various human activities exacerbated the natural geological vulnerabilities. Geologists believe that the over-extraction of groundwater for farming, which renders the underlying sand and stone fragile, has been a primary driver of the land sinking (Gusain, 2023). 

Inadequate drainage systems, with water from drains, sewers, and rain seeping into the ground, and poorly maintained, unscientific soak pits for wastewater, further reduce the soil’s bearing capacity . The town’s aged water supply network, nearly 47 years old, also contributes to the problem, with an estimated 40-50% of daily water supply lost due to leaking pipes, increasing surface moisture. The construction of hydroelectric power projects, such as the Tapovan Vishnugad project, has also been a major concern, with its tunnel traversing an “geologically fragile area below Joshimath”. However, a report by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on Joshimath landslide causes no mention of the National Thermal Power Corporation’s (NTPC) hydroproject (Raju Sajwan, 2024).


Moreover, the pervasive lack of town planning, non-mandatory building bylaws for residential structures, and the prevalence of “non-engineered” buildings that do not comply with national safety codes have compounded the risk. The impacts of land subsidence in Joshimath have been devastating. Cracks in homes and buildings were first observed in 2021, escalating significantly by January 2023, when a “loud sound” preceded widespread ground fissures and cracks in approximately 65% of homes (Mudur, 2025).


More than 670 of the town’s 4,500 buildings, including a local temple and a ropeway, developed cracks, leading to two hotels leaning on each other. A survey by the Central Building Research Institute (CBRI) identified 23 buildings for demolition and labelled 470 others as unusable, with 99% of surveyed buildings found to be “non-engineered”. This alarming situation led to the displacement of over 1,000 residents, with many families forced to move to temporary accommodations in schools, hotels, and homestays. The emotional toll on residents is profound, as families witness their homes slowly crumble, living in constant fear and panic. The surge in land subsidence also severely impacted tourism, a key economic driver for the region. A similar “Joshimath-like situation” has unfolded in Kishtwar, Jammu and Kashmir, where land sinking near the Kwar and Kerru power projects forced the shifting of 21 families, a middle school, a mosque, and hundreds of livestock (Dutta, 2025).

In response to the escalating crisis, both state and central governments have initiated significant rehabilitation and mitigation efforts. The central government has allocated substantial funds, including Rs 1,640 crores under the ‘Recovery of Reconstruction’ scheme and an additional Rs 291.15 crore specifically for disaster mitigation in Joshimath. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah for their support (TOI World Desk, 2025). 

In Kishtwar, authorities are identifying 50 kanal of state land for rehabilitation, along with providing financial assistance for home construction and jobs for one member of each affected family. Red Cross and SDRF teams have been dispatched to affected areas with tents, ration, and utensils, and the situation is being monitored round the clock. Expert reports, such as the one by the NDMA, have outlined crucial recommendations for Joshimath’s future. These include a ban on new construction until ground conditions are reassessed post-monsoon, while allowing retrofitting of old buildings and permitting single-story prefab structures for emergency services. The reports emphasize the urgent need for risk-based building bylaws, proper town planning, and a comprehensive development plan encompassing resilient building practices, water management, sanitation, solid and liquid waste disposal, and improved infrastructure for the next 10-15 years. Specific building construction guidelines recommend a maximum height of 7.5 meters for residential buildings and strict setbacks from landslide areas and seismic fault lines. Addressing the drainage issue is paramount; reports recommend demolishing unscientifically built soak pits, improving the existing drain network, and creating an urban sanitation plan to prevent further water seepage. Furthermore, promoting sustainable tourism and developing alternative livelihood strategies are seen as vital to reduce the burden on the fragile ecosystem. The construction of the Helang-Marwari bypass road has been recommended to alleviate traffic congestion in Joshimath city. Continuous monitoring of ground movements through ground control points and early warning systems is also highly advised. In Joshimath, stabilization work, including security walls in areas where the ground has sunk, and the demolition of approximately 800 “red category” buildings are critical steps. Immediate improvements to water drainage in affected areas have also been instructed (Narendra Sethi, 2024).

Mountainous regions present unique challenges for land subsidence, often exacerbated by geological factors and human activities. In the Swiss Alps, for instance, efforts focus on monitoring permafrost degradation, which can lead to ground instability and subsidence, through extensive sensor networks and geological surveys. They are also implementing measures like reinforced foundations for infrastructure and early warning systems for landslides. Additionally, some mountainous areas prone to mining-induced subsidence, such as in parts of China and Poland, are employing backfilling techniques to stabilize excavated areas and implementing stricter regulations on mining practices to minimize surface deformation. These examples illustrate a focus on understanding the specific geological drivers of subsidence in mountains and applying tailored solutions that range from advanced monitoring to responsible land use planning. The ongoing land subsidence in Joshimath, mirrored by emerging situations like that in Kishtwar, highlights a critical environmental and humanitarian crisis in the Himalayan region. While significant rehabilitation and mitigation efforts are underway, the deep-rooted causes ranging from geological vulnerabilities to decades of unchecked human activity, exacerbated by continuous tectonic strain demand a sustained and holistic approach. The trauma of living in a sinking town underscores the urgent need for strict adherence to scientific recommendations, resilient urban planning, and a shift towards sustainable development to ensure the safety and welfare of himalayan communities residing in these precarious landscapes.

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Author

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Senior Research Fellow, Center for Mountain Tourism and Hospitality Studies, H.N.B Garhwal Central University, Uttarakhand, India. kcjunaidindia@gmail.com

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