New Delhi/IBNS: Joshimath and its surrounding areas have been sinking at the rate of 6.5 cm or 2.5 inches per year, a two-year study by the Indian Institute of Remote Sensing has revealed.

The Dehradoon-based institute has been using satellite data to study the area, which sees a lot of tectonic activity and is very sensitive.

Joshimath, the temple town under threat of 'sinking' for a while, reached a crisis this year as buildings and roads developed massive cracks.

Another town 90 km downhill has also started developing cracks.

The locals in Joshimath blame the nearby Tapovan project of the National Thermal Power Corporation or NTPC, for the aggravation of the situation.

Satellite images collected by the Indian Institute of Remote Sensing from July 2020 to March 2022 show the entire area is slowly sinking.

The sinking spread across the Valley and was not limited to Joshimath, data shows.

More than 110 families in Joshimath have already left their homes and the plan is to evacuate the whole town.

But demolition by bulldozers, which was supposed to begin today, was put on hold after protests from angry locals.

Traders and hotel owners of the town -- which depends largely on pilgrim traffic -- said they had not been informed beforehand.