Dehradun, April 26 -- Three years after Jyotirmath (previously Joshimath) in Chamoli district hit national headlines due to large cracks appearing in homes and on roads, experts have said the ground beneath the Himalayan town is still moving, albeit slowly, and warned the upcoming monsoon could aggravate risks if precautionary measures are not strengthened. Dr Vineet Kumar Gahalaut, director of the Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, said there was a misconception among some people that sliding has stopped in Jyotirmath. "The movement is continuing, though at a very slow pace. Our concern is that with the monsoon, the pace may accelerate and some part may slip. There is a need to discuss, plan and implement measures for such a possible eventuality," he said. Gahalaut said the sliding process could not be entirely stopped and stressed the need for continuous monitoring of the town's geology. "There should have been continuous monitoring. We need to work on what should be done in an unfavourable scenario rather than waiting for cracks to widen," he said. In January 2023, large cracks and fissures appeared in houses and on the ground in Joshimath, prompting authorities to evacuate many residents to relief camps and temporary shelters. Residents blamed NTPC's Tapovan-Vishnugad hydropower project for contributing to geological instability, alleging tunnelling and blasting in the fragile terrain worsened the problem. A study conducted by a group of scientific and technical institutions in the Himalayan town attributed the crisis to Joshimath's location on a slope over morainic deposits or loose sediments, population pressure, construction of multi-storey buildings and the absence of a system for proper disposal of water coming from the upper reaches. State disaster management secretary Vinod Kumar Suman said stabilisation efforts in the town are underway. "Treatment of the town has started. Protective work is going on along the riverbank where subsidence has taken place. Around Rs.100 crore has been sanctioned for that. PWD is also carrying out slope stabilisation work and funds have been provided. The work is progressing at pace," he said. Meanwhile, the Joshimath Bachao Sangharsh Samiti has raised questions over ongoing stabilisation works, alleging lack of transparency and delays in rehabilitation despite Centre's financial package for the town. Atul Sati, convenor of the group, said implementation remained slow and opaque despite government assurances. He alleged much time had been lost in preparation of detailed project reports (DPRs), while DPRs related to drainage and sewage systems remain unclear and stabilisation plans have not been made public. It also questioned the scientific basis of ongoing works and selection of sites for treatment, alleging highly sensitive areas such as Singhdwar, Manoharbagh and Ravigram have been left out....