Why is Joshimath sinking?

Houses and buildings about to collapse in Joshimath will be razed down on January 11. The Central Building Research Institute (CBRI) has completed the inspection work.

Of the buildings, two hotels - Mount View and Mallari Inn - will be razed in the first phase of demolition as they have developed deeper cracks. 

Nearly 700 homes have been affected in Uttarakhand's Joshimath. The district administration has put red cross marks on more than 200 houses in the sinking town that are unsafe for living.