Heightened Vigilance Continues in Sikkim: Strict Monitoring to Prevent Recurrence of 2023 Disaster
Image source, Reuters
Officials have warned that the recent sudden and destructive floods in neighboring Nepal have raised alarm for potential hazards in Sikkim, India.
To prevent a recurrence of the devastating floods of 2023, state officials are being encouraged to intensify scientific monitoring and engineering interventions at high-altitude, risk-prone glacial lakes.
Across the Indian Himalayan region, 189 high-risk glacial lakes have been identified, with 40 of these falling within Sikkim’s boundaries, prompting the state to adopt a multi-tiered risk reduction strategy.
Among these, 16 lakes are classified as highly sensitive in the ‘A’ category, requiring mandatory ‘real-time’ monitoring and site-specific engineering measures.
The state government has established a high-level steering committee chaired by the Chief Secretary for policy oversight, alongside a multidisciplinary task force for implementation and monitoring activities.
The Department of Science and Technology has been designated as the central agency for risk assessment. The ‘Sikkim Commission on Glacier Hazard,’ led by former central advisor Dr. Akhilesh Gupta, is finalizing its findings.
Dhiren Shrestha, Secretary and Director General of the Department of Science and Technology, confirmed that an early warning system has been operational in sensitive areas.
Image source, Sikkim government
Automated weather stations and water level sensors have been installed at strategic locations including near Gurudongmar Lake in Kerang and Dolma Sampa.
“These systems provide continuous, real-time meteorological and hydrological data that help identify changes in these lakes timely and enable precautionary measures before any crisis develops,” Shrestha explained.
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Ministry of Home Affairs, Brahmaputra Board, and Central Water Commission are collaborating on physical risk mitigation structure design.
The proposed flood prevention structure at Dolma Sampa in the Lhanak area has reached the detailed design stage in coordination with the Central Water Commission.
In Shako Cho Lake, where safety concerns exist due to high water levels, a solar-powered pumping system proposal has been submitted to the NDMA to lower water levels.
Engineering work is also underway to design a moraine plug safety wall around the culturally significant Gurudongmar Lake to reduce flood risk.
These engineering designs are outcomes of five major scientific expeditions conducted over the past two years.
Researchers employed Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT), bathymetric mapping, and Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS) to evaluate lake characteristics.
Principal Secretary Sandeep Tambe, head of the lake assessment initiative, noted that challenging terrain makes on-site research complex.
“Difficult terrain and high altitude have posed significant challenges to scientific evaluations,” he said.
Sikkim officials emphasized that the state’s efforts alone are insufficient for broad regional risk management, highlighting the necessity of cross-border collaborative cooperation.
The destructive floods in Nepal’s Bhote Koshi-Trishuli region have demonstrated how climate and geographical risks within shared watersheds can occur in succession.
State representatives reiterated the need for comprehensive cross-border cooperation across the entire Himalayan region for risk monitoring and disaster management.
Image source, Reuters
In October 2023, a sudden glacial lake outburst flood from South Lhanak Lake in northern Sikkim caused catastrophic damage.
Unusual rainfall and the glacial lake breach resulted in massive flows of water and ice within the Teesta River watershed.
This devastating flood destroyed the Teesta-III dam at Chungthang, causing extensive damage by washing away bridges, highways, and settlements across Mangan, Gangtok, Pakyong, and Namchi districts.
The disaster resulted in significant loss of life and property, with more than 90 fatalities confirmed. Rescue teams recovered numerous bodies from lower floodplain areas in Sikkim and West Bengal.
Initial reports indicated over 100 people missing, including 23 Indian Army personnel missing following a camp swept away in Bardang. Despite ongoing rescue efforts, many remain unaccounted for.
Following the disaster, Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang announced compensation of 400,000 Indian rupees per deceased victim, and immediate relief of 2,000 rupees per displaced person residing in relief camps.
The central government of India released 448 million Indian rupees through the state for relief, temporary housing, and rehabilitation efforts.
Rebuilding plans are underway to restore key bridges, highways, and rural road networks in the affected areas.
Displaced families are being relocated to safe, geographically stable regions, with efforts progressing to reinstate electricity and drinking water supply, alongside construction of embankments to prevent future landslides.