Joshimath still remains a cautionary tale, two years after large cracks tore through homes and roads of this Himalayan town in Uttarakhand.

The town, tucked away in the Himalayas, showed that with climate change worsening and bringing extreme consequences, placing millions at risk, India's population residing in the mountains need to prepare better.

Experts have already noted that several mountain settlements share a risky mix of weak geology, rapid construction and climate stress, making them vulnerable to similar disasters as the ones felt in Joshimath.

"Intense rains cause slope failures and landslides. In addition, acute commercial activity aggravates sliding. The river channels are narrowed down with intense habitation," said Professor K S Rao, Department of Civil Engineering at I

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