Editor's Pick: NDMA asks agencies not to share Joshimath survey details with media

After the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) said in a report that Joshimath sank 5.4 cm between December 27 and January 8, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) directed all departments and organisations involved in survey and data collection in the Uttarakhand town hit by land subsidence not to interact with the media or share data on social media. “Various government institutions are releasing data related to the subject matter (Joshimath) on social media and are interacting with media with their own interpretations. It is creating confusion not only among the affected residents but also among citizens of the country,” the NDMA said. It said the issue of institutions talking to the media was highlighted during a meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and added that an expert group had been formed to assess the situation on the ground in Joshimath. The satellite images released by the National Remote Sensing Centre of the ISRO showed that the central part of Joshimath town, Army helipad and Narsingh Mandir – the winter seat of Lord Badrinath – had witnessed rapid subsidence. Separately, Uttarakhand Cabinet Minister Dhan Singh Rawat told The Hindu that the State government had spoken to the ISRO and other organisations and told them not to share reports that could create panic among residents. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami also asked the media not to portray images that Joshimath was “literally sinking”. “We are all set to witness an international winter games tournament in Auli next month. Even the Char Dham Yatra will start in April. The kind of sentiments being created across the world that entire Uttarakhand is in danger. This is not right,” Mr. Dhami said. The Joshimath event raises pertinent questions on the accelerated push by the government on clean energy and national security, writes R.K. Chadha, Raja Ramanna Fellow at Hyderabad-based CSIR-NGRI in today’s edition of The Hindu. “While the intentions are well-meaning, risks associated with rapid expansion of hydropower or other infrastructure developments in the fragile environment of Himalayas, need to be understood. Any action without understanding the cause and effect of mountain hazards would be detrimental to the cause,” he adds. Was this newsletter forwarded to you? Head over to our newsletter subscription page to sign up for Editor’s Pick and more. Click here. The Hindu Explains Explained | What led to the Governor-CM rift in Tamil Nadu? Explained | What does the Centre want in Bhopal gas case? Explained | Where do Indian cities stand on toxic air? The Hindu’s Daily News Quiz Which tennis tournament is popularly known as the ‘Happy Slam’? Wimbledon U.S Open Australian Open French Open [logo] Editor's Pick 15 JANUARY 2023 [The Hindu logo] In the Editor's Pick newsletter, The Hindu explains why a story was important enough to be carried on the front page of today's edition of our newspaper. [Arrow]( [Open in browser]( [Mail icon]( [More newsletters]( NDMA asks agencies not to share Joshimath survey details with media After the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) said in a report that [Joshimath sank 5.4 cm between December 27 and January 8]( the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) directed all departments and organisations involved in survey and data collection in the Uttarakhand town hit by land subsidence [not to interact with the media or share data on social media]( “Various government institutions are releasing data related to the subject matter (Joshimath) on social media and are interacting with media with their own interpretations. It is creating confusion not only among the affected residents but also among citizens of the country,” the NDMA said. It said the issue of institutions talking to the media was highlighted during a meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and added that an expert group had been formed to assess the situation on the ground in Joshimath. The satellite images released by the National Remote Sensing Centre of the ISRO showed that the central part of Joshimath town, Army helipad and Narsingh Mandir – the winter seat of Lord Badrinath – [had witnessed rapid subsidence]( Separately, Uttarakhand Cabinet Minister Dhan Singh Rawat told  The Hindu that the State government had spoken to the ISRO and other organisations and told them not to share reports that could create panic among residents. [Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami also asked the media]( not to portray images that Joshimath was “literally sinking”. “We are all set to witness an international winter games tournament in Auli next month. Even the Char Dham Yatra will start in April. The kind of sentiments being created across the world that entire Uttarakhand is in danger. This is not right,” Mr. Dhami said. The Joshimath event raises pertinent questions on the accelerated push by the government on clean energy and national security, writes R.K. Chadha, Raja Ramanna Fellow at Hyderabad-based CSIR-NGRI in [today’s edition of The Hindu](. “While the intentions are well-meaning, risks associated with rapid expansion of hydropower or other infrastructure developments in the fragile environment of Himalayas, need to be understood. Any action without understanding the cause and effect of mountain hazards would be detrimental to the cause,” he adds. Was this newsletter forwarded to you? Head over to our newsletter subscription page to sign up for Editor’s Pick and more. [Click here]( . The Hindu Explains [Arrow][Explained | What led to the Governor-CM rift in Tamil Nadu?]( [Arrow][Explained | What does the Centre want in Bhopal gas case?]( [Arrow][Explained | Where do Indian cities stand on toxic air?]( The Hindu’s Daily News Quiz Which tennis tournament is popularly known as the ‘Happy Slam’? - Wimbledon - U.S Open - Australian Open - French Open Are you a book lover looking for your next literary adventure? 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