Joshimath (Uttarakhand) [India], August 15 (ANI): Fresh cracks appeared in Joshimath, raising fear among the residents of the Uttarakhand town as heavy rains lashed the state.

Due to heavy rain, 16 families in Panwar Mohalla and Negi Mohalla in Sunil village of Joshimath are at risk, after the upper and lower sides of the village developed cracks at various places, raising the possibility of a major landslide in the area.

In such a situation, people have demanded protection from the administration.

According to the affected families, people have been forced to stay outside their homes at night due to the fear of house collapse.

Meanwhile, the Joshimath town area has also suffered a lot of damage due to heavy rains last night.

Here in Sunil Ward, a 60 meters long landslide zone has developed above the Thapliyal locality, due to which 5 families living there are in danger.

This area was earlier kept in the red zone due to cracks, and now slowly, landslides have started happening in these localities.

Locals say that after heavy rains around 3:30 am, a landslide occurred in which huge trees and stones moved downward.

Meanwhile, Joshimath SDM Kumkum Joshi visited the landslide areas along with the tehsil team to assess the situation.

Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami also taking stock of the situation over the phone from the District Magistrates as heavy rains lash parts of the state.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasts very heavy to extremely heavy rain/thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and a very intense to extremely intense spell are very likely to occur at isolated places in Dehradun, Pauri, Tehri, Nainital, Champawat, and Udham Singh Nagar today. (ANI)