Joshimath in Uttarakhand has both religious and tourist significance. But several villages in the area are slowly subsiding, say the local villagers and scientists who have studied the region. Houses have developed cracks making it highly unsafe for people to live in them. Maximum subsidence is observed in the wards of Ravigram, Gandhinagar and Sunil, and thousands of people may be displaced.

Wooed for their votes with free ration, gas cylinders, smartphones, and scooters, here is what Uttar Pradesh's 44 per cent electorate – its women – expect from the new government that is set to be formed.