Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami while visiting the 'sinking town'--Joshimath--said that the priority is to ensure people are taken to safer areas. He conducted an aerial and ground inspection of Joshimath.
"Saving lives is our first priority. Medical facilities on the ground should be arranged and arrangements for airlifting people will also be made," said Dhami.
Dhami had ordered an immediate evacuation of around 600 families living in houses that have developed huge cracks.
He met with the people and families in Joshimath and assured them all help.
According to reports, CM also met the team of officials and experts who have been monitoring the situation in the town since Thursday and took their feedback on the evacuation exercise.
Huge cracks have developed in over 500 houses, triggering panic and protests in the hill town situated at a height of 6,000 feet in Uttarakhand's Chamoli district.
A temple collapsed on Friday evening in Singdhar ward of Joshimath further alarming residents living under constant fear of a major disaster in the offing. There was no one inside the temple when it collapsed as it had been abandoned after it developed huge cracks over the past 15 days, locals said. Nearly 50 families have been moved to safer locations, officials said.
