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Recent events of land subsidence in Alaknanda valley: a case study of sinking holy town Joshimath, Uttarakhand, India

Author

Listed:
  • Divya Singh

    (Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University)

  • Deepesh Goyal

    (Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University)

  • Prakash Biswakarma

    (Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University)

  • Varun Joshi

    (Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University)

Abstract

Recent events of land subsidence in culturally and tourism-centric Joshimath town in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand culminate in declaring the town as a landslide/subsidence ‘hit zone’ area. The area is highly vulnerable to various geological and hydrological disasters stemming from its rugged terrain and geological instability. The recent tragic occurrence of land subsidence caused adverse implications on the infrastructure and local population’s sustenance inducing disturbances in environmental, and social facets. This study incorporates a brief review of the current status and plausible causes of land subsidence in Joshimath town. The establishment of the town on the ‘debris of ancient landslide,’ proximity to major geological discontinuities, tectonically fragile area, and population upsurge are key drivers that appear to have exacerbated the ongoing slope instability and land subsidence. Thus, the present review will aid to encompass further scientific studies to monitor the sinking of ground in such mountainous regions for mitigating land subsidence. Furthermore, it also discusses the consequences of land subsidence and remedial measures, thereby aiding policymakers and concerned authorities to develop risk management plans and therefore enhancing the region’s overall resilience to such disasters.

Suggested Citation

  • Divya Singh & Deepesh Goyal & Prakash Biswakarma & Varun Joshi, 2025. "Recent events of land subsidence in Alaknanda valley: a case study of sinking holy town Joshimath, Uttarakhand, India," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 27(4), pages 9539-9567, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:endesu:v:27:y:2025:i:4:d:10.1007_s10668-023-04263-0
    DOI: 10.1007/s10668-023-04263-0
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Richa Bhattarai & Haireti Alifu & Aikebaier Maitiniyazi & Akihiko Kondoh, 2017. "Detection of Land Subsidence in Kathmandu Valley, Nepal, Using DInSAR Technique," Land, MDPI, vol. 6(2), pages 1-17, June.
    2. Shubham Awasthi & Divyesh Varade & Sutapa Bhattacharjee & Hemant Singh & Sana Shahab & Kamal Jain, 2022. "Assessment of Land Deformation and the Associated Causes along a Rapidly Developing Himalayan Foothill Region Using Multi-Temporal Sentinel-1 SAR Datasets," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(11), pages 1-21, November.
    3. Ammar Amin & Khalid Bankher, 1997. "Causes of Land Subsidence in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 16(1), pages 57-63, July.
    4. Sutapa Bhattacharjee & Pramod Kumar & Praveen K. Thakur & Kshama Gupta, 2021. "Hydrodynamic modelling and vulnerability analysis to assess flood risk in a dense Indian city using geospatial techniques," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 105(2), pages 2117-2145, January.
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