ArrowArtboardCreated with Sketch.Title ChevronTitle ChevronIcon FacebookIcon LinkedinIcon Mail ContactPath LayerIcon MailPositive ArrowIcon Print
Natural disasters

India's 'sinking' sacred town near China border faces dark future

Critics say ill-advised development compounds Joshimath's geological risks

A crumbling home in Joshimath on Jan. 13: Land subsidence is displacing families as well as raising potential security implications in the Indian town.   © Reuters

JOSHIMATH, India -- Davindra Singh Rawat was jolted awake by a loud rumble in early January. He felt that the earth beneath his home in Joshimath, a picturesque Himalayan town, was sinking.

The next day, the 65-year-old saw many of his fellow residents on the roads, leaving behind a place many consider holy.

Sponsored Content

About Sponsored Content This content was commissioned by Nikkei's Global Business Bureau.

Discover the all new Nikkei Asia app

  • Take your reading anywhere with offline reading functions
  • Never miss a story with breaking news alerts
  • Customize your reading experience

Nikkei Asian Review, now known as Nikkei Asia, will be the voice of the Asian Century.

Celebrate our next chapter
Free access for everyone - Sep. 30

Find out more