Click it and Unblock the Notifications
In a tragic turn of events, a glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) unleashed havoc in northern Sikkim, severely damaging the 1200-MW Teesta-III hydel project near Chungthang village. This disaster has raised questions about the safety and sustainability of hydropower projects in the region.
The Teesta-III dam, once the largest and most prestigious hydel project in Sikkim, was not constructed to withstand a GLOF, which can discharge as much as 15,000 cubic meters per second. The dam's spillway capacity was merely 7,000 cubic meters per second, a capacity claimed to be sufficient by the project developers. The dam succumbed in a flash, releasing a deluge of water mixed with debris, which went on to damage another downstream dam, Teesta-V, and snap multiple bridges across the Teesta River.
Tragically, many people, including Army personnel, remain missing since the disaster struck. It's a grim reminder of the unpredictable and destructive nature of GLOFs.
The South Lhonak glacial lake, the source of this calamity, had been under surveillance for decades as it steadily expanded in size. In fact, the Environment Ministry's steering committee for the Carrying Capacity Study of Teesta Basin had warned about the potential hazards of GLOFs in North Sikkim as early as 2005.
This disaster stands as one of the most significant tragedies witnessed by the Indian Himalayas since 2013, and it underscores the urgent need to reevaluate the safety measures in place for hydropower projects, especially in vulnerable regions.
Stranded Tourists and Rescue Efforts
In the aftermath of the flash flood, more than 3,000 tourists found themselves stranded in Lachen and Lachung, Mangan district, Sikkim, as all road communications were severed. The Indian Air Force initiated rescue and relief operations using Mi-17 helicopters, but challenging weather conditions, including low-lying cloud cover and low visibility in the Lachen and Lachung valleys, hampered their efforts. Additionally, the roads leading to Lachen and Lachung were severely damaged.
To provide an alternative route to Chungthang via Dzongu for rescue teams, efforts are underway. Teesta Urja has also deployed a chopper to aid in the rescue of tourists and the supply of essential commodities to the Chungthang area.
As for the weather forecast, the India Meteorological Department predicts light to moderate rain in most places in the Mangan district over the next five days. Lachen and Lachung are expected to experience a generally cloudy to overcast sky during this period.
Rescue operations are underway in areas like Singtam, Bardang, and Rangpo, led by NDRF teams and state agencies. However, reaching the upper reaches of North Sikkim, particularly Chungthang, Lachen, and Lachung, remains a challenge. Nonetheless, small teams of state agencies, accompanied by senior government officers, have ventured from Mangan to Chungthang to assess the damage and provide vital information to the state government.
Additional rescue teams, including personnel from the India Reserve Battalion, are en route to Chungthang. The town bore the brunt of the flash flood in the Teesta River, with initial reports suggesting that nearly 80 percent of Chungthang has suffered damage.
The flash flood was triggered by a cloudburst over Lhonak Lake in North Sikkim, which occurred in the early hours of Wednesday. This event resulted in the loss of 27 lives, including eight Army personnel, with 141 people still reported missing. The devastating impact of the flood also extends to the damage of over 1,200 houses and the washout of 13 bridges in the picturesque Himalayan state.
As rescue efforts continue, it's a grim reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by regions prone to glacial lake outburst floods and the need for proactive measures to ensure the safety of both residents and tourists in these areas.
