tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33239537794604572912024-03-13T18:56:14.782+05:30 Visions of HellSaveTheHills(STH) is a group of concerned citizens who are raising awareness about landslides in Darjeeling-Sikkim Himalaya.
Many landslides are the direct or indirect result of human interference and preventable if sufficient care is taken.
As such, unless we begin a comprehensive and sustained program towards landslide management, prevention and mitigation, the consequences of ignoring years of human callousness will, in the future be devastating.SaveTheHillshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02683050982473682760noreply@blogger.comBlogger1130125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3323953779460457291.post-84729747030287100192024-02-29T09:08:00.004+05:302024-02-29T09:32:11.004+05:30Chungthang: satellite images of BEFORE and AFTER the Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) of 04Oct2023<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRriSwW7TUVKjwjBaJOfcolZdw3tUu3Feh8j9rrkRkd16caQmraOMJKQT9XTXibaPhHLmXvcn8PEmHRGdU6PzhSLdsGS-VtXUBD7fJ9tO6czM2hitLs_nD3Vo511NQYSPoFCTAi0K-X8LxEax5ktDRICW2tefGqxCFWlZshpnjLa-QrUjSRVGTYDN6TAw1/s1747/Before&After.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1747" data-original-width="1423" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRriSwW7TUVKjwjBaJOfcolZdw3tUu3Feh8j9rrkRkd16caQmraOMJKQT9XTXibaPhHLmXvcn8PEmHRGdU6PzhSLdsGS-VtXUBD7fJ9tO6czM2hitLs_nD3Vo511NQYSPoFCTAi0K-X8LxEax5ktDRICW2tefGqxCFWlZshpnjLa-QrUjSRVGTYDN6TAw1/w326-h400/Before&After.jpg" width="326" /></a></div><br />STH has covered the Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) from South Lhonak Glacier extensively in this blog with stories, many images and maps of the devastation which followed all along the Teesta River Valley. <br />The <a href="http://savethehills.blogspot.com/2023/11/photographic-record-of-impact-of_26.html" target="_blank">GLOF hit Chungthang town at around 12.35am </a>on 04Oct2023 causing loss of life and livelihoods and tremendous damage to infrastructure. <br />Placed above are comparative satellite images of BEFORE the GLOF (Google Earth) and AFTER the floods (NRSC)<br />The scale of devastation is at once visible - with large swathes of Chungthang town totally covered with debris/sand and the humongous (1200MW) Stage III Sikkim Urja dam destroyed, in the NRSC image of 13Oct2023.<br /><br />Praful Rao<br />Kalimpong district<br />Darjeeling-Sikkim Himalaya<br />savethehills@gmail.com<br />9475033744<br /><p></p>SaveTheHillshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02683050982473682760noreply@blogger.com0Chungthang, Sikkim 737120, India27.6034338 88.6464979-0.70680003617884424 53.4902479 55.913667636178843 123.8027479tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3323953779460457291.post-20460659529997847512024-02-21T13:18:00.014+05:302024-02-28T15:57:11.201+05:30Impact of the Teesta Valley Glacial Lake Outburst Flood - Lachen (North Sikkim), the untold story<p>SaveTheHills (STH) and Junkeri Studio (JS) of Kalimpong have documented the Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) disaster of 04Oct2023 extensively in this blog and while doing so we visited numerous places, maybe 20 or so in the Teesta Valley both in W Bengal and Sikkim.<br />On 17/18Nov2023 we were in Chungthang, North Sikkim where the GLOF destroyed the 1200MW Sikkim Urja dam and saw the humungous devastation there. We interviewed scores of people and photograph them and <a href="http://savethehills.blogspot.com/2023/11/photographic-record-of-impact-of_26.html">published the report in our blog</a> – which has been well received all over.<br />Having gone that far, we were unable to visit Lachen, a small town 39 km north of Chungthang because the roads were totally destroyed by the GLOF. We did make an attempt but the road ceased to exist approximately 5 km north of Chungthang – the road continues to be non-operational even today.<br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivnyD0yV34CPLBCiFaXkjXfIrA3R6cqBqsOHfggrPTyBlfpzgLNrqCWYsPoWeR4pvPpXxzOvkOeRZ8iGJd_6p7y3hsCdJSNAnkGLkumMX7aVZZ-lUtefj3N4PpuIYN0rjadlWC4vBNLpr413Oh-_EQBansX-00vP5Sh8TupCI9qi9xbHrZ8528tC_lKTwU/s1566/Lachen.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1120" data-original-width="1566" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivnyD0yV34CPLBCiFaXkjXfIrA3R6cqBqsOHfggrPTyBlfpzgLNrqCWYsPoWeR4pvPpXxzOvkOeRZ8iGJd_6p7y3hsCdJSNAnkGLkumMX7aVZZ-lUtefj3N4PpuIYN0rjadlWC4vBNLpr413Oh-_EQBansX-00vP5Sh8TupCI9qi9xbHrZ8528tC_lKTwU/w400-h286/Lachen.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />On 17Feb2024 we were fortunate to meet Mr Dathup Lachenpa (DL) a person in the tourism business in Lachen; he had walked across to Chungthang from Lachen because there is still no motorable road. <br />He was in Kalimpong for brief while and we caught up with him to check how the GLOF impacted town of Lachen. Our interview with Mr Lachenpa:<span class="s-7"><br /><br /></span>STH/JS: Welcome, Dathup.<br />Firstly, can you tell us a bit about Lachen and what is the main source of livelihood there?<br />DL: The approximate population of Lachen is around 2000, the altitude of the town is approximately 9000’ and main source of livelihood is tourism but there are quite a few government contractors and employees as well.<br />STH/JS: Lachen was the first 'urban' centre which was hit by the GLOF from South Lhonak Glacier on 03Oct2023.Can you tell us whether you had any early warning regarding the floods since we know there was an Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) post further north who had issued alerts. Also approximately what time did the GLOF hit Lachen?<br />DL: I am not sure of the exact time when the GLOF hit us but it must have been around midnight – we were sleeping and heard this sound like a huge wind which woke us up. My home is a little above the town and when I went outside, there was no storm – the weather was quite clear and I could see stars in the sky. Since there was no storm but the loud noise persisted, I suspected something must be happening in the river and then I saw a lot of smoke rising there, that’s when I realized it maybe the river was overflowing or it was a landslide. I never expected the GLOF (from South Lhonak Lake) to be hitting us. I only realized in the morning that this was a major disaster when we went out towards the river and saw how much devastation was caused by the force of the river. At around 12.30am on 04Oct2023, the electricity and cell phone system went off. I expected a lot of damage by the impact but never on this scale of devastation.<br />STH/JS: How close is Lachen to the Teesta or more correctly Lachen Chu river? Is the town of Lachen on the banks of the river?<br />DL: Lachen town is located on higher ground, a little above the river.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw1CdUJKnMmlgvPY-OiOD1dwdSgaNPZXQPf27uQIIQms1dlXYQ6QXEowCwE2QkrxMlSMJsA3KK-b1TGer2lm3fK7Au_FBeTQY_bf_sWF4A1MK32IYMQjA1rVRHJtmxYayeIEL4Lc5kCshbFoaYusZPO6unK4cdrtf2pCZOYAf50WxqDJYQ1iAoLgxuyf9Q/s1412/GoogleEarth.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="965" data-original-width="1412" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw1CdUJKnMmlgvPY-OiOD1dwdSgaNPZXQPf27uQIIQms1dlXYQ6QXEowCwE2QkrxMlSMJsA3KK-b1TGer2lm3fK7Au_FBeTQY_bf_sWF4A1MK32IYMQjA1rVRHJtmxYayeIEL4Lc5kCshbFoaYusZPO6unK4cdrtf2pCZOYAf50WxqDJYQ1iAoLgxuyf9Q/w400-h274/GoogleEarth.jpg" width="400" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbAX1bJr2M4kS8l0qUBiFv0tk6xIqEUxODCoOJPllductw2HtJOUale7unZM5elxmbMFHrOEEuwLYfPZBKKGRPftpUUb6dx4PmGTSg7EO0H8cMv2wka6WqoxIQQWvfeoZhCToMgsOYOgTSc0JTKDeY47ThaSco29-oYn_oql2VpYA5qE2SmnEA7tzGV6e2/s2000/Lachen.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1059" data-original-width="2000" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbAX1bJr2M4kS8l0qUBiFv0tk6xIqEUxODCoOJPllductw2HtJOUale7unZM5elxmbMFHrOEEuwLYfPZBKKGRPftpUUb6dx4PmGTSg7EO0H8cMv2wka6WqoxIQQWvfeoZhCToMgsOYOgTSc0JTKDeY47ThaSco29-oYn_oql2VpYA5qE2SmnEA7tzGV6e2/w400-h211/Lachen.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Lachen town<br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">STH/JS: Was there any destruction or damage to property or
were there any fatalities in Lachen due to the GLOF?<br />DL: Yes, we ourselves lost a new home which we were
constructing and I believe two labourers from Border Roads Organization
(BRO)were swept away from the banks of the river at Zema.Zema is slightly north of Lachen towards the glacier.<br />STH/JS: And in all this you did not get any early warning
whatsoever?<br />DL:As far as I know, we did not get any early warning.<br />STH/JS: Do you know if the government authorities or Phipon
(Headman) received any early warning? - the ITBP post
near the glacier sent some warnings, were they received at Lachen?<br />DL: The ITBP camp is located up there at Zanak 2, maybe
they informed their people downstream but nobody informed us.<br />STH/JS: So what you are saying is that the casualties were
limited and damage was less only because Lachen town is located at higher
ground and the Lachen Chu or the Teesta river flows in a valley below.<br />DL: Yes<br />STH/JS: What is the damage to infrastructure and bridges
around Lachen?<br />DL: There was a lot of damage. In
Lachen, 4 bridges were washed away. 3 bridges connected
Lachen to Chungthang and one connected us to Thangu.<br />STH/JS: Have these communication lines (bridges) been
restored?<br />DL: Communication towards Thangu has been restored, with an
army bailey bridge being constructed, so light vehicular traffic is now
possible. This bridge is on the river bed and may not
survive the monsoons so they are re-building the other one.<br />Three bridges towards Chungthang were washed away, so the
route has been diverted and now there is only one bridge which has to be
crossed at a place called Boonsoi, 10km south of Lachen. This RCC bridge at Boonsoi survived the flood.<br />STH/DL: We know that the BRO is working on the road from
Chungthang northwards to Lachen. I believe the progress
of this work is very slow and I also know people from Lachen are working on the
road towards Chungthang.<br />DL:
Yes, we (Lachen public) have succesfully completed one portion from Lachen
towards Chunthang which was very difficult at a place called Taru. We encountered only
solid rock there. The BRO helped us and we have managed to clear
that section for vehicular traffic so the road upto Menchithang, a distance of approx 20km from
Lachen is motorable. So now we have to
walk 7-8kms after which we reach another motorable
section towards Chungthang.<br />In this regard, the Lachenpas made three wooden bridges.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbUggVk_M_wa_-v5UQESS7g938UldcAKuBGXyGmV_ZPpwlNVARqieTjLcfH6R5o6BdivQi1HZPsl_RwQj4jEcooVWnLrazIJ7mOipVV4-0eZNloaO9dMe4WBZXB94dpY-5HrtM6HwslOl2pQ7JIYtn_o6stPobOF-TXDhFp5TdoHeUUE0ErWbvfUqTmod3/s1800/22a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1013" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbUggVk_M_wa_-v5UQESS7g938UldcAKuBGXyGmV_ZPpwlNVARqieTjLcfH6R5o6BdivQi1HZPsl_RwQj4jEcooVWnLrazIJ7mOipVV4-0eZNloaO9dMe4WBZXB94dpY-5HrtM6HwslOl2pQ7JIYtn_o6stPobOF-TXDhFp5TdoHeUUE0ErWbvfUqTmod3/w225-h400/22a.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>Local people together with BRO personnel carving out a new road from Lachen to Chunthang<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTIOEYqrKTs6YyXmhR-g4j7UniVAwHilbb77mXHb_Lan4nna_n-ANmbfUvG0drKbPWRJl62jup9Er0QO-zVRLMaXnW9ogUEFrjA3S2LgovYwjNXJFDX34r2y2C0WdWlrIcOMnpMDykicq9nKTCdGnoKb4SyAn6K0E-gdHFyJUade4PS9gQ6ZP3KgBOV1fy/s1600/LachenRoad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTIOEYqrKTs6YyXmhR-g4j7UniVAwHilbb77mXHb_Lan4nna_n-ANmbfUvG0drKbPWRJl62jup9Er0QO-zVRLMaXnW9ogUEFrjA3S2LgovYwjNXJFDX34r2y2C0WdWlrIcOMnpMDykicq9nKTCdGnoKb4SyAn6K0E-gdHFyJUade4PS9gQ6ZP3KgBOV1fy/w400-h300/LachenRoad.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij9WpNO2988vQL4EibiZBjoLDWBibxm-5VERjDrGusf5KzV9766rZsbcWBpYoG-7AvwM6CXwbqEMSOsTVP9ZAkjkWfEH1Mh37kU6hhUoGq2970gIAd2jVb1xpoKLRbePO8xeZfjTZ-JqkIWaJMi9yLASpvXsVdI_lqDo7qnaq2hbJ2PQHWW_Aq2gC7Saao/s2000/4a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="2000" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij9WpNO2988vQL4EibiZBjoLDWBibxm-5VERjDrGusf5KzV9766rZsbcWBpYoG-7AvwM6CXwbqEMSOsTVP9ZAkjkWfEH1Mh37kU6hhUoGq2970gIAd2jVb1xpoKLRbePO8xeZfjTZ-JqkIWaJMi9yLASpvXsVdI_lqDo7qnaq2hbJ2PQHWW_Aq2gC7Saao/w400-h225/4a.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Lachenpa community constructing a wooden bridge across the Teesta river (also called Lachen Chu) at Zema to connect Lachen with Thangu. Notice the large landslide in the background</span><br /></div><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>STH/JS: We know that Lachen was marooned for some time after the GLOF, can you tell us how many days you were totally cut off and how did people in Lachen survive?<br />DL: At that time almost 70% of the people were in Thangu, harvesting potatoes and radish and the rest were in Lachen. We habitually stock rations and that's how we survived - on stored rations.<br />STH/JS: Did the army or air force also help in ration supply?<br />DL: No, but they certainly helped with the evacuation - the relief material came from local people of Sikkim.<br />STH/JS: Were there any tourists in Lachen at that time and how were they evacuated?<br />DL: Yes we had around 500 tourists who were stranded in Lachen at that time; they were evacuated by AF choppers from Chatten (army base near Lachen).<br />STH/JS: What was the impact of the disaster on livelihoods of people?<br />DL: The impact is huge because we lost a lot of revenue in tourism – Oct to Dec is a big tourist season for us and we have lost these 3 months and we are not certain in 2024 as well, because road access to our area is still not possible.<br />STH/JS: Fortunately, it did not snow heavily in North Sikkim during this winter and as such you did not have much problems with ice-bound roads etc. How concerned are you about the forthcoming monsoons with the road condition being what it is? How will you manage your supplies?<br />DL: Getting supplies through thru Dongkha La pass (which is at 18,000’) would be impossible but what people do is that during the annual puja time in winters they buy a lot of rations from monks and stock up – also people in Lachen were stocking up dry rations like oil and rice from Menchithang etc thru porters who would carry the stuff. However, we would have a problem with LPG cylinders (even though we have fire wood) because people largely use gas for cooking these days.<br />STH/JS: What about health care issues in Lachen after the GLOF?<br />DL: Yes, this is a major concern. Recently a 27yr old man from Lachen died in a hospital in Siliguri because he had to be evacuated through Dongkha La pass (18,000’) when he was ill; this is a huge challenge for a sick person. So right now, we are most scared of falling sick in Lachen and hope that no one becomes unwell because we only have a primary health centre which does not have many facilities and presently, I don’t think we have a doctor there.<br />STH/JS: So what happens to the sick and elderly people at Lachen?<br />DL: (Chuckles) – We just pray that no one falls ill.<br />STH/JS: What about children’s education?<br />DL: They were at home during the winter holidays and have now returned to school – some of them went by car through Dongkha La pass others walked back to Chungthang etc – most of them, walked back I think, because they were scared of heights at Dongkha La.<br />STH/JS: The hikers trail for walking back (between Lachen and Chungthang) seems very precarious<br />DL: Yes, the footpath for walking is quite dangerous, if one slips there is no chance of survival – at many places the path is not more than a foot wide.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhErkTqojQOLTDkM2qkBgS7iYYo4-6Mdb4tGm55m87TtG1uRoInxgQWPLHtaRfgQDtLF1Cf8zezQs8KYfg94PxDoCuiNyDdb6bQAgyS2Bq5NbF1whm4VRYzWbIGXanGbDxISTAHjchGbMeYi4nxawJmk-hZzSfoRvWAQfFfBprkbcmmizyihu1fRHc-EJw8/s2000/19a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1333" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhErkTqojQOLTDkM2qkBgS7iYYo4-6Mdb4tGm55m87TtG1uRoInxgQWPLHtaRfgQDtLF1Cf8zezQs8KYfg94PxDoCuiNyDdb6bQAgyS2Bq5NbF1whm4VRYzWbIGXanGbDxISTAHjchGbMeYi4nxawJmk-hZzSfoRvWAQfFfBprkbcmmizyihu1fRHc-EJw8/w266-h400/19a.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>Makeshift wooden ladder which is used while walking from Lachen to Chungthang<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu4KrOdCwAJrdDCesq5WLkTUQ_v8kdg3X0cpWCnU042Sv66N3fsYaGywic4EJzuj6Q68WjcQK_JRSHhr3I6wZAcZN_Wd0KHNwWtgxvA_V4oHWX2RfEBi8ZVB7vFEnD4gXbQOjpoC6Wta6YIfBzkxGPkE0iCNxGANSGWn6taXwdz1jchQjWzq2RSfQv0Vld/s2000/Pedestal-road-used-by-people-of-lachen-to-reach-ChungthangA-.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu4KrOdCwAJrdDCesq5WLkTUQ_v8kdg3X0cpWCnU042Sv66N3fsYaGywic4EJzuj6Q68WjcQK_JRSHhr3I6wZAcZN_Wd0KHNwWtgxvA_V4oHWX2RfEBi8ZVB7vFEnD4gXbQOjpoC6Wta6YIfBzkxGPkE0iCNxGANSGWn6taXwdz1jchQjWzq2RSfQv0Vld/w320-h400/Pedestal-road-used-by-people-of-lachen-to-reach-ChungthangA-.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Narrow and dangerous footpath which is being used by people who walk from / to Lachen today. <br /><br />STH/JS: So how long do you from a layman’s perspective, expect the Chungthang – Lachen road to be restored?<br />DL: Our Chief Minister had promised that after rebuilding the bridge in Chungthang town, all the resources (machinery and manpower) would be diverted to the Lachen road. That has not happened. Yes, machines are there but not the type which is required to cut rock and so on. We were hoping that road communication would be restored within 2-3months but it has been 4 months and progress is very slow. With no heavy earth moving machinery at site, people are saying it may even take a year for the road to be restored.<br />STH/JS: Immediately after the disaster, were there any homeless people or was there any requirement for relief and shelter?<br />DL: Some areas and parts of roads especially in the bazar (town) were cracked and people were reluctant to live there, because of rumors and continuous landslides. So people shifted to relative's home at higher grounds near the monastery. However, there were no homes which were destroyed in Lachen.<br />Relief supplies as far as I can remember, came in after a week or so. I think this was contributions from locals in and around Sikkim and it was flown in by choppers.<br />STH/JS: Can you tell us more about the Chungthang-Lachen road status again?<br />DL: Before the GLOF, the Chungthang-Lachen trip used to take 1 hour by vehicle. Now we can travel by vehicle from both Lachen and Chungthang but the midsection is still not motorable and we have to walk that stretch and it takes us around 2hrs. The vehicles used are all SUVs with 4 wheel drive.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9bX19ljaW6hCVmd1vgDqPjvow0nC16JCymsojJT3l4O6jaqF8T_oblBlSpYL3ULPuqVEU0I9sSjAxfxn16RSX2O5Uqchl-K_Ejp23FgmSjDyVigVsQpllMI8EWzJNBSkaq9MwKRKqGOK5LhZpZVMAjD_6ecCMjh3I4HzBsAS33HMHamtg9HTGghiyXQmd/s2000/16a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="2000" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9bX19ljaW6hCVmd1vgDqPjvow0nC16JCymsojJT3l4O6jaqF8T_oblBlSpYL3ULPuqVEU0I9sSjAxfxn16RSX2O5Uqchl-K_Ejp23FgmSjDyVigVsQpllMI8EWzJNBSkaq9MwKRKqGOK5LhZpZVMAjD_6ecCMjh3I4HzBsAS33HMHamtg9HTGghiyXQmd/w400-h225/16a.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Impact on road communications by the GLOF: Lachen-Chungthang road at Menchithang<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim7nqARglcuondafN1r1CuLxJI3-Qw6au-lM-QH3WwLlJXjz6RbzkQiSMyISoEx2TFkowhUpG_eIE35a1Fp-nlfbDitBVYa_ZvAovwqOlhEXdNeixFqey8zCeJI_W61VjbKaLdzbwwu0kwQ9u9uZEaazyAN4JEN9_nIDL99EQGNYa33zlQ22NbhHVdKRUp/s2000/17a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="2000" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim7nqARglcuondafN1r1CuLxJI3-Qw6au-lM-QH3WwLlJXjz6RbzkQiSMyISoEx2TFkowhUpG_eIE35a1Fp-nlfbDitBVYa_ZvAovwqOlhEXdNeixFqey8zCeJI_W61VjbKaLdzbwwu0kwQ9u9uZEaazyAN4JEN9_nIDL99EQGNYa33zlQ22NbhHVdKRUp/w400-h225/17a.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> Landslides along the Lachen Chu (river) valley <br /><p></p><p>STH/JS: You mentioned visiting the Lachen Chu river a number of times after 04Oct2023 – can you describe the scene? Were there any landslides? And how did people from Lachen spend the next few days after the GLOF?<br />DL: The power supply and mobile networks went dead from 04Oct2023 – people were scared and moved here and there, trying to find out what was happening. We noticed the river was still swelling up and there were lots of landslides taking place in and around. When we went to Zema where there was a bridge which connected Lachen to Thangu, we found that the landscape had changed totally, we could not recognize where the bridge was. The whole day the river was flowing at the same high level.<br />Two days or so later when we went towards Zema again , we found a huge increase in landslide activity all along the road.<br />STH/JS: We are aware that a Swiss and Govt of India team had gone upto South Lhonak Glacier (in 2023) – did they go through Lachen?<br />DL: We heard about that too but I do not know the details. People were in fact blaming them for what happened – and believe that they may have done something. We believe our lakes are sacred and do pujas and visit monasteries while visiting these (holy) places.<br />STH/JS: Which is the nearest lake from Lachen?<br />DL: By road, it is Gurudongma lake<br />STH/JS: How much time would it take to reach South Lhonak lake from Lachen?<br />DL: Now there is a motorable road to Zanak 2 where they have the last ITBP camp and that takes around 6hrs from Lachen. Beyond that I have no idea.<br />STH/JS: Do you know whether (the ITBP camp at) Zanak 2 was affected by the GLOF?<br />DL: I think so, I think I saw some photographs.<br />STH/JS: Have people returned to Lachen from Thangu?<br />DL: Yes, its wintertime and its not possible to stay in Thangu. Everyone has returned but some are in Gangtok and others in Siliguri etc and children have returned to school.<br />STH/JS: What is the approximate economic loss which took place due to the GLOF say in terms of loss of farmland,destruction of orchards etc<br />DL: I can say we have lost a lot of land – pasture land for example. Our dairy animals go to lower altitudes during winters, to places like Denga which was a little above Chungthang. These areas have been washed away by the GLOF. People are now living on the roadside at Rabong and so on. Further, I think in terms of loss, all of Sikkim has been impacted - shops, hotels and so on . I am sure the loss is huge and in many crores.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_vtsTIOfb62-eq6Bc5Q4LLloYvsCBjpaxwB0cbpXk8f_oljyUdsQT25ZH422FW8Rka_l9kjorz80iweiBLaAiUdEJY89srVQQe4F6j8mzGKBuy8wp27WnCuJqEkxuaDdxZRFDn7l2n0xviflrlEyHTMxfiB4Oo22KsSVQi3Ih9ffP2MCVmXooJvn_WW6P/s2000/18a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="2000" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_vtsTIOfb62-eq6Bc5Q4LLloYvsCBjpaxwB0cbpXk8f_oljyUdsQT25ZH422FW8Rka_l9kjorz80iweiBLaAiUdEJY89srVQQe4F6j8mzGKBuy8wp27WnCuJqEkxuaDdxZRFDn7l2n0xviflrlEyHTMxfiB4Oo22KsSVQi3Ih9ffP2MCVmXooJvn_WW6P/w400-h225/18a.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> Destruction of farm and grazing land at Menchithang.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfNPv9drvtcYwKONyqoUZYZiwvybVAMeELyz0S91xpAiJe5EGODQWEqUF2BJOg4gePssE2OkNivwGpIp33HiZY3t_7qv1IbgZ2D1KlXjO6LJTycccmfrVPp0S2kGUqjL1M0TXGp2a1yvVwrJ9xPCVSVGlE-Y4ISf7iCudUZHN_Ce01zib6NPm7Wqk4ypaA/s2000/1a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="2000" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfNPv9drvtcYwKONyqoUZYZiwvybVAMeELyz0S91xpAiJe5EGODQWEqUF2BJOg4gePssE2OkNivwGpIp33HiZY3t_7qv1IbgZ2D1KlXjO6LJTycccmfrVPp0S2kGUqjL1M0TXGp2a1yvVwrJ9xPCVSVGlE-Y4ISf7iCudUZHN_Ce01zib6NPm7Wqk4ypaA/w400-h225/1a.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> Landslides along the valley at Zema<p></p><p>STH/JS: Do you know of any loss to Govt departments including the army?<br />DL:
Fisheries department have lost some trout farms, animal husbandry
department have lost their angora farm, Tibetan sheep have lost their
grazing land and so on.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbJ7aMElO3inwywyob5wHsAqMRclqQGvT8Lg4-Yqa-y6PmivoTaakMvNCKpZ_OKv-Lz68rbhAoiEgxQAIyINQVSJU42UbzR7yGSnwEntoIl_m8dPc-cDoIEqhqz666iEWewTgt08Nc5kBY0EEsjbz_rRoOjNwrFe4Olzyjfsbs0-uag7-ZxrwzY9OBDFwv/s2000/21a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="2000" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbJ7aMElO3inwywyob5wHsAqMRclqQGvT8Lg4-Yqa-y6PmivoTaakMvNCKpZ_OKv-Lz68rbhAoiEgxQAIyINQVSJU42UbzR7yGSnwEntoIl_m8dPc-cDoIEqhqz666iEWewTgt08Nc5kBY0EEsjbz_rRoOjNwrFe4Olzyjfsbs0-uag7-ZxrwzY9OBDFwv/w400-h225/21a.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div> Destruction at army camp at Menchithang<p></p>STH/JS: What sort of help have you received from the administration?<br />DL: It has been four months since the GLOF and we still have not seen the District Magistrate (DM) on site or anywhere. We met the ADC (Additional District Collector) who came to Lachen after 7-8 days, maybe he was representing the DM – we don’t know.<br />With the help of the Government, the electricity was restored after 8-9days, most probably because we have a new power station in Lachen, which was not affected by the disaster. Our cell phones (only BSNL network) started working after a month or so but the performance was poor, with a lot of disturbances<br />STH/JS: You mean you had no communication for a month?<br />DL: No, I think the ADC had come with a satellite phone but I am not sure how many could make calls. We also could use the army lines but that too was difficult because of the long queues of people waiting.<br />STH/JS: How do you see the next few months with the monsoons coming up?<br />DL: We are really scared of the monsoons and the heavy rain it will bring. It will affect us a lot and people are thinking of stocking supplies before the rains and we will avoid traveling during that time because of the road conditions.<br />STH/JS: Can you tell us the cost of travel from Lachen to Chungthang via the Dongkha La pass?<br />DL: I heard the freight charges of utility (short body) truck bringing supplies from Mangan to Lachen via Dongkha La is Rs 25,000/-<br />STH/JS: Thank you so much for your time, Mr Dathup Lachenpa and for sharing this information about what happened in Lachen. It will certainly be most useful for people studying the October 2023 GLOF disaster in the Teesta Valley. <br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table>Photo credits: Dathup Lachenpa<br /><br />Praful Rao<br />Kalimpong district<br />Darjeeling - Sikkim Himalaya<br />savethehills@gmail.com<br />9475033744<br />with<br />Praveen Chhetri<br />Junkeri Studios<br />Kalimpong <br />himalayagallery@gmail.com<br />9733185815<br /><br /><br />SaveTheHillshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02683050982473682760noreply@blogger.com0Lachen, Sikkim 737120, India27.731939 88.54900769999999-0.57829483617884492 53.39275769999999 56.04217283617885 123.70525769999999tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3323953779460457291.post-15937042680410615442024-02-14T16:25:00.005+05:302024-02-15T08:44:23.542+05:30Impact of the Teesta Valley Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) - updates from North Sikkim (Feb2024)<p>As has been reported by us in this blog, the GLOF disaster of Oct2023 devastated large parts of the Teesta valley both in Sikkim and W Bengal. Placed below are some recent updates from North Sikkim:<br /><b>Naga area of Mangan district<br /></b>The devastation in Naga and Toong area of Mangan district has been covered <a href="http://savethehills.blogspot.com/2023/11/photographic-record-of-impact-of_24.html" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />Recent (09Feb2024) closeup photos of landslide affected areas of Naga are shown below:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFlCLbTfF4VaTW6bDQzcsEYP3PieWegiDMlczeW8u1DZFHp5a0ozrrX9YM22xR5W0pNLRXztWlNYuKmusAZWAsSpas8ywru5G_CVmzxriLFsRy1YaPUJ_JsJrzzqOBay17dQggdV55dAqSfNK6JLIpbN9htUV1xpvWQx9e061qPg5Mc7B0JJwBqu5Rj4Gq/s1600/Len5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1174" data-original-width="1600" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFlCLbTfF4VaTW6bDQzcsEYP3PieWegiDMlczeW8u1DZFHp5a0ozrrX9YM22xR5W0pNLRXztWlNYuKmusAZWAsSpas8ywru5G_CVmzxriLFsRy1YaPUJ_JsJrzzqOBay17dQggdV55dAqSfNK6JLIpbN9htUV1xpvWQx9e061qPg5Mc7B0JJwBqu5Rj4Gq/w400-h294/Len5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Uaey3jK4gric6X0SnkrhR1F9H0l5HippOh9wUj5aFTx7n-zXPS1Ra3m0nZAGGDzWLep9y649pFqriVfJ2EHJUAudddU-XPDJDIcab9l_qcklnnOG3w8J8RrfgkwmP5UZmjUNizR2oZkEfCZ_yP6bG7FfQ_7V_bo0vMLYjJYpcyjnfBVJrqzstpIjizxs/s1496/Len3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1496" data-original-width="1496" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Uaey3jK4gric6X0SnkrhR1F9H0l5HippOh9wUj5aFTx7n-zXPS1Ra3m0nZAGGDzWLep9y649pFqriVfJ2EHJUAudddU-XPDJDIcab9l_qcklnnOG3w8J8RrfgkwmP5UZmjUNizR2oZkEfCZ_yP6bG7FfQ_7V_bo0vMLYjJYpcyjnfBVJrqzstpIjizxs/w400-h400/Len3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>A telephoto image of the same area which I took from the opposite hill on 18Nov2023 (below) reveals hardly any change in the intervening 3 months.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhhpo7QuqJszABK9br4eqRgQMLzRN09DJrwN8uoMIaLR_ILo-Qt-AonJNmLDrEvLkh8lKkhlLNzqzKwwH-Ks2MjOeN_O9TJmag5PTV7dC4nTSw1QPFz_7UHGoUKEbXE_cEY3f0x4Yt6H7TpuAMhfenEui5tyM2ZEAKstM2NaLGWOYGympjGLvunpCqxyiA/s4488/22.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="4488" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhhpo7QuqJszABK9br4eqRgQMLzRN09DJrwN8uoMIaLR_ILo-Qt-AonJNmLDrEvLkh8lKkhlLNzqzKwwH-Ks2MjOeN_O9TJmag5PTV7dC4nTSw1QPFz_7UHGoUKEbXE_cEY3f0x4Yt6H7TpuAMhfenEui5tyM2ZEAKstM2NaLGWOYGympjGLvunpCqxyiA/w400-h266/22.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>As per my source in Chungthang, people from these homes have evacuated and are living with relatives or at rented places. <br /><b>Toong bridge and road status<br /></b>The GLOF of 04Oct2023 destroyed the bridge over the Teesta river at Toong (see photo of 18Nov2023 below). This bridge connected Mangan (dist HQ of North Sikkim) with Chungthang</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJf81-e7453v55rPl36lgea8O2y9aHhnBAhErBHy1sWXq1Nr9vaZCMXXvXI_o76pEG1KVVFFolIu68zo2LOqM1PumKMxnqMQ4VDUYczaonNOI-xiyDUs2aR7QFnGmMZF4VTop-8upOdVBbyiDM0KJAtkw8AIr7cGgf_PAkI4gdK0krs_6pW5FMKbPndcEo/s2000/6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJf81-e7453v55rPl36lgea8O2y9aHhnBAhErBHy1sWXq1Nr9vaZCMXXvXI_o76pEG1KVVFFolIu68zo2LOqM1PumKMxnqMQ4VDUYczaonNOI-xiyDUs2aR7QFnGmMZF4VTop-8upOdVBbyiDM0KJAtkw8AIr7cGgf_PAkI4gdK0krs_6pW5FMKbPndcEo/w400-h266/6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>A 'log' bridge (below) built in this area has temporarily restored this communication route.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQpsh2f0gQr1r2DdJ_ZXlSD-LV0AYMnmVOhxgbA5h9XEPChRXbXOamWvpZ-0DcnGDIxqn-57AwnFoqsJyi4sBFgKtOy9YhfvppFYHz4LCm2L6SqZUuTTK5XrH60FImcoQSgLFiZQPRjJxG0G7T4lLiA0Oz5KrfZu5fyobJILaX2Dgo0ggI0NsLCkTzI4D9/s1496/Len6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1496" data-original-width="1496" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQpsh2f0gQr1r2DdJ_ZXlSD-LV0AYMnmVOhxgbA5h9XEPChRXbXOamWvpZ-0DcnGDIxqn-57AwnFoqsJyi4sBFgKtOy9YhfvppFYHz4LCm2L6SqZUuTTK5XrH60FImcoQSgLFiZQPRjJxG0G7T4lLiA0Oz5KrfZu5fyobJILaX2Dgo0ggI0NsLCkTzI4D9/w400-h400/Len6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> However, for the time being the bridge is closed between 10.00am to 4pm to allow road repairs as such commercial vehicles and others still have to route via a long route via Saffo- Shipgyer - this route not only takes double the time but is narrow and dangerous at places.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_r3wzdWpCps3MVra9OeglDFZyovoIKzB25egd3BaW3_haJ4lX60mBTHDcf2sRnfQlb7G2UNndCcqhmM0_tMxe5SRo5NmsrouZEjj08fs-oHoW8LPtv1IMQE83yjtJX2OR_Kta7Tqd1aQoAQ2WLhw_DkDa1Zhyphenhyphen37awGensdqM_zlmg7-LVPsBHnqqWPife/s2313/Dongkhala.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2313" data-original-width="1647" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_r3wzdWpCps3MVra9OeglDFZyovoIKzB25egd3BaW3_haJ4lX60mBTHDcf2sRnfQlb7G2UNndCcqhmM0_tMxe5SRo5NmsrouZEjj08fs-oHoW8LPtv1IMQE83yjtJX2OR_Kta7Tqd1aQoAQ2WLhw_DkDa1Zhyphenhyphen37awGensdqM_zlmg7-LVPsBHnqqWPife/w456-h640/Dongkhala.jpg" width="456" /></a></div>As per information received, the progress of repair of Chungthang - Mangan road and also the Chungthang - Lachen road is slow and this is worrisome since the pre-monsoon season accompanied by intense thundershowers are due to start in March 2024.<br />Here are some rough stats:<br />a. The freight charges for a truck with 10 tonnes of load from Siliguri to Chungthang was approximately Rs22,000/- (incl of taxes), when the main roads were available.<br />b. Now, since the main roads are not available, the detours have pushed up the freight charges to Rs 31,000/- and also the trucks can only carry 8-9 tonnes of material on the alternate route.<br />c. So because the freight charges have increased while the load which is being carried has decreased - a single brick in Chungthang now costs Rs18.<br /><b>Chungthang town<br /></b>Among all the urban centers impacted, the GLOF dealt it's severest blow to Chungthang town at around 12.35am on 04Oct2023. We have covered it in detail <a href="http://savethehills.blogspot.com/2023/11/photographic-record-of-impact-of_26.html" target="_blank">here<br /></a>Even when we visited the town on 18Nov2023, more than a month after the devastation, the whole place still looked like a war zone but I am glad to know that the people of Chungthang are slowly getting back on their feet again. Placed below are recent images of Chungthang town where the almost 10 feet of sludge mud and sand which buried the streets, homes and buildings have been cleared off and shops are open and life is slowly getting back to normal.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMpSRCHN6_ATTwhnE7acSlo7ihRb89g-FWs_xyww7bLt6mNTEZJC8JcLBrjYGTekmTpUyW-6T2cJTw-lW2ybuPisvnRBeRtkqhbHnet-yOLNAhEUXgnbUW-JsxdlYx2Xzxrj33jJCW6wJvuuQnxjlEvQLqdhku-mcBmRWbSSIE3fxXuQMr6hzvPkawTJBG/s1280/2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMpSRCHN6_ATTwhnE7acSlo7ihRb89g-FWs_xyww7bLt6mNTEZJC8JcLBrjYGTekmTpUyW-6T2cJTw-lW2ybuPisvnRBeRtkqhbHnet-yOLNAhEUXgnbUW-JsxdlYx2Xzxrj33jJCW6wJvuuQnxjlEvQLqdhku-mcBmRWbSSIE3fxXuQMr6hzvPkawTJBG/w400-h400/2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgarpgJlnsrNfeLmwZMlqK3ek7q5Iic4v82hj3cHuhbaJweUkGaM1ql34PwfWzD3ftlHqmReeEtWyqiXoaLTW4uGeTBr7i7fkfjV8CtbHOmWUrBDPyZRVALzVgs8cx1Elg_ic0bxs4SKLlzVP_O-zRuAYPG0arUkBgnkUFfvKkoGrNsmEBYvrUh_Fz2HrhI/s1280/1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgarpgJlnsrNfeLmwZMlqK3ek7q5Iic4v82hj3cHuhbaJweUkGaM1ql34PwfWzD3ftlHqmReeEtWyqiXoaLTW4uGeTBr7i7fkfjV8CtbHOmWUrBDPyZRVALzVgs8cx1Elg_ic0bxs4SKLlzVP_O-zRuAYPG0arUkBgnkUFfvKkoGrNsmEBYvrUh_Fz2HrhI/w400-h400/1.jpg" width="400" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS7qmS4nVPyg2cakAGNPyC0b9W6hJW2ulfbEW_wrMZ3a8SCgR93BeuhMf5_4H5I8KYuwbDBmqrOgA23BvVC8TSyHIcUWxQhhk8-9_cgQgDgKlmIqdYzzcGVQngCQeDvaqdzl-BeYYdonG3NsBIfgVtOq9csvwkyaIo6_3zhj4P9dmBFLVT7gPzp53kZaoV/s1280/4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS7qmS4nVPyg2cakAGNPyC0b9W6hJW2ulfbEW_wrMZ3a8SCgR93BeuhMf5_4H5I8KYuwbDBmqrOgA23BvVC8TSyHIcUWxQhhk8-9_cgQgDgKlmIqdYzzcGVQngCQeDvaqdzl-BeYYdonG3NsBIfgVtOq9csvwkyaIo6_3zhj4P9dmBFLVT7gPzp53kZaoV/w400-h400/4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /></div><p>Praful Rao<br />Kalimpong district<br />Darjeeling- Sikkim Himalaya<br />savethehills@gmail.com<br />9475033744</p>SaveTheHillshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02683050982473682760noreply@blogger.com0Chungthang, Sikkim, India27.6034338 88.6464979-0.70680003617884424 53.4902479 55.913667636178843 123.8027479tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3323953779460457291.post-42901056296643169892024-02-07T08:26:00.000+05:302024-02-07T08:26:05.959+05:30The Firefighting of Darjeeling’s waste problem <div style="text-align: left;"><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuzTSOWXXqrWxHuWvdpdYQziFjmMINpn23h7mQdZFA-4k165rXdmLIqczMsG5dH1zi5aLl7AL0O8BGl-Sced2uzMCKo4vwgNaKRg2oYyZJBOFHgK1168yz_E40RcpV6fNarOI4t-mJxxp3Sj_TCdTZgahOiIxIrew7S9pIT-OCpBWy6Hk-EhVNnYWdD2ag/s4000/11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2248" data-original-width="4000" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuzTSOWXXqrWxHuWvdpdYQziFjmMINpn23h7mQdZFA-4k165rXdmLIqczMsG5dH1zi5aLl7AL0O8BGl-Sced2uzMCKo4vwgNaKRg2oYyZJBOFHgK1168yz_E40RcpV6fNarOI4t-mJxxp3Sj_TCdTZgahOiIxIrew7S9pIT-OCpBWy6Hk-EhVNnYWdD2ag/w400-h225/11.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Toxic fumes and smoke billows from tons of garbage and waste which are on fire at Darjeeling town's solid waste dumping ground or 'chute' in Feb2024. Like most Himalayan towns, Darjeeling simply believes in removing the waste from the town and offloading the untreated waste in a remote area (Photo Credit: Zero Waste Himalaya)<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>On the night of January 28, 2024, the waste dump of Darjeeling caught fire once again. Yet again, the Darjeeling night skies glowed orange, spreading panic among residents close by. It was not even a year back on June 14 2023, when a similar fire had simmered over 4 months and it had taken the Darjeeling Municipality over 60000 litres of water transported through tankers to douse the fire. The alarming situation created a buzz in the media, provided a bit of opportunity for mud slinging and blame games, but as the fire went out, all conversation around it also died down. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmOWNnXrQAS3kbbOL_8x3A41doLuZc6NdCckuuG9n_sTl-XTF8LLMkPpbAStQ2CmFM9L8VVpRNMci1rTZEzI_jDTchWXBsBY4VbjZoi0xJ-w0pXBhwJ1NniEU2T2AW2nAvHIP0vdLbmyekfnQ-3HJddo38NNW7jQ2t1JqNdnSQSLd1Tmmv4C1-8sWEBaSD/s2000/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmOWNnXrQAS3kbbOL_8x3A41doLuZc6NdCckuuG9n_sTl-XTF8LLMkPpbAStQ2CmFM9L8VVpRNMci1rTZEzI_jDTchWXBsBY4VbjZoi0xJ-w0pXBhwJ1NniEU2T2AW2nAvHIP0vdLbmyekfnQ-3HJddo38NNW7jQ2t1JqNdnSQSLd1Tmmv4C1-8sWEBaSD/w400-h266/2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What must have been a remote location during the the days of the British Raj is now Amar Jyoti Gram, Municipal Ward No 17 of Darjeeling town and this is where the town's solid waste continues to be dumped. We visited the site on 01Feb2024 - the fire was still burning, despite being doused with huge quantities of water. (Photo credit - STH)<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>The dumping site going ablaze undoubtedly draws much needed public attention to the problem but fails to shake the town into solving it. Let's not forget that the smoke from the smouldering dump has been contributing to Darjeeling’s polluted winter air for over a decade now (<a href="https://thedarjeelingchronicle.com/darjeeling-burning/">Darjeeling Burning!</a>). All of the unsegregated waste dumped in the chute has been burning relentlessly, with the fumes enveloping the town in its toxic shroud. Living in such toxic and hazardous situations has somewhat become the norm for Darjeeling every winter, and this is highly concerning. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzzKQ2gJTmoe5OFh-QDEIWkGZmIIN1_ZkftbTbGvTsS0Lh8PWReh7YJhJ3zg3jj1upUiz9DLu2bS8Qnci6YB4QXF5mpFY_1eVS0HAGBu494HhBXaoqoNGD_KEMh193Zc0_pF59kXbTuRh8d97JcgBcghk6Icef5MwY185cnG0RSR9YQrtEmlr8m0ZL5Leb/s2000/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzzKQ2gJTmoe5OFh-QDEIWkGZmIIN1_ZkftbTbGvTsS0Lh8PWReh7YJhJ3zg3jj1upUiz9DLu2bS8Qnci6YB4QXF5mpFY_1eVS0HAGBu494HhBXaoqoNGD_KEMh193Zc0_pF59kXbTuRh8d97JcgBcghk6Icef5MwY185cnG0RSR9YQrtEmlr8m0ZL5Leb/w400-h266/5.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The chute on fire on 01Feb2024. The decaying organic matter produces flammable gases (mainly methane) which after catching fire continues to burn despite best efforts to extinguish the fire. (Photo credit - STH)<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>In response, Darjeeling, like so many other places, has quite literally been firefighting to keep the problem at bay. What is needed are longer term vision and strategies grounded on community ownership and individual actions. While waste profiles and demographics have undergone massive shifts over the years, our management systems are struggling to catch up with the changes. With mindless consumerism fueled by social media and the frenzy of online shopping, we are buying unnecessarily, and our waste piles are increasing by the day. Single use products that are non recyclable make up a bulk of the trash from our households that ultimately end up in the dump site mixed with biodegradable waste. (<a href="https://thedarjeelingchronicle.com/what-lies-beneath-the-truth-about-darjeeling-waste/">What Lies Beneath! The Truth about Darjeeling’s Waste</a>)<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqMrAOeOjwa-mpJftV3tp6pEFFym3NiJYNW1VqkCNqGaLJeffj-hn5FU_vsjCs_A69FGPLXzUdcfW4gsWsttswXlWKNuSS_qa9JnB12kRCCTHgrF50on3pLipR3n6ZPrJHkz5D1GwxH3ajeuSpRSc9DnoObX3ho09VZoOHNZcJTzZi4gu4qwSeRYLn2XWE/s2000/9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqMrAOeOjwa-mpJftV3tp6pEFFym3NiJYNW1VqkCNqGaLJeffj-hn5FU_vsjCs_A69FGPLXzUdcfW4gsWsttswXlWKNuSS_qa9JnB12kRCCTHgrF50on3pLipR3n6ZPrJHkz5D1GwxH3ajeuSpRSc9DnoObX3ho09VZoOHNZcJTzZi4gu4qwSeRYLn2XWE/w400-h266/9.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The waste dump lies directly below Darjeeling town and the wind takes the toxic fumes, miasma and smoke directly into the town. Seen here in the foreground are built up areas in the dump site and new houses being built there; in the distance are Singmari and the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute complexes. (Photo Credit - STH)<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>Individually and as bulk generators, our waste footprint has increased dramatically, but our responsibility towards managing our own waste has remained pitifully low. It is a struggle for local bodies to collect the monthly garbage fee to manage the waste we generate. Our houses may be tiled to the ceiling, but the simple practice of waste segregation is still an unthinkable chore for most of us. Segregation at source is the fundamental step to a sustainable waste management system. Without community support and ownership, long term strategic solutions will always remain elusive. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjstKv50r5XU4M-D06dQxp-qFulTlqUMRt6huXXsYHWjSzlr7qPGO9RsvG4emineOcKdFkyHjqzh0KBkgOiNzh6FSPLTsmCodVi6IBNRdvuVEk3vV37a_FhQ_G48C6_a9ZHZa8Db0nLRw60ac-DJOmG8uIlzoqzdgoxpDBdV8kQMWvGPNw_aVXhzIkBGept/s2000/10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjstKv50r5XU4M-D06dQxp-qFulTlqUMRt6huXXsYHWjSzlr7qPGO9RsvG4emineOcKdFkyHjqzh0KBkgOiNzh6FSPLTsmCodVi6IBNRdvuVEk3vV37a_FhQ_G48C6_a9ZHZa8Db0nLRw60ac-DJOmG8uIlzoqzdgoxpDBdV8kQMWvGPNw_aVXhzIkBGept/w400-h266/10.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The urban setting around the 'chute' today. (Photo credit - STH)<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>It is time for all of us to take cognizance of the hazardous conditions we are creating and take concrete steps to resolve it. Zero Waste Himalaya, has developed the 8 steps strategy to move towards sustainable waste management which requires ownership and participation from the community as well as strong commitment and vision from elected bodies. -</p><b>1. Build citizen action and stewardship</b> - Waste is everyone's business as all of us are <br />producers and managers of waste. To have a successful waste management system, <br />it needs community ownership and stewardship. This can be brought about by <br />participatory planning processes, ownership of action and continual community <br />engagement and knowledge building.<br /> <br />2. <b>Adopt decentralised waste management</b> at ward level or ward clusters- Decentralised waste management reduces the volume of waste to be managed, and makes the task of monitoring easier. Material recovery facilities can be developed for waste sorting and storage, with linkage to recyclers. With the goal of reducing landfill load, only ultimate discards should be sent to the landfill.<br /><br />3.<b>Implement segregation of waste at source </b>- This is already mandated by the Solid Waste Management Rules of 2016 that stipulates segregating into biodegradable, non-biodegradable and hazardous.<br /><br /></div><p>4. <b>No biodegradables to landfill</b> - If segregation is practised, then the biodegradable waste can be managed separately. There are options for home composting, community composting or bulk composting. <br /><br />5.<b>Target bulk generators</b> - Bulk generators such as hotels, restaurants, hostels, offices, markets generate waste in large volumes. They have to be targeted and their waste managed separately. SWM Rules mandates bulk generators to manage their biodegradable waste and not send it to the landfill. Food, vegetable and meat waste can be managed as animal feed, compost or through biomethanation.<span id="docs-internal-guid-cb3441fa-7fff-0f87-a507-cd6939145a4f" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;"> </span></p><p>6. <b>Strengthen and expand single use plastics ban</b> - Increasing plastic production and consumption is the root of the Himalayan waste crisis and reduction of this waste is the real solution. This reduction of plastic can be achieved with the implementation of single use plastic ban that India has enacted since 1 July 2022 but a number of these banned SUP are still used in Darjeeling. For the Himalayan region, there is a need to expand this ban to other single use plastics like bottled water (especially the tiny one) that will enable the reduction of plastic waste to the landfill.</p>7.<b> Invest in pilots (wards / institutions)</b> - Pilots are a good way to showcase the immense possibilities as well as learn while doing. This can be a tool for others to learn and scale up from. <p role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.308; margin-bottom: 5pt; margin-top: 5pt; text-align: left;">8<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; white-space: pre;">.</span> <b>Invest in capacity building of all stakeholders</b> (elected representatives / CBOs / Officials) The changing profile of waste has meant that traditional waste management systems of rolling down the hill and burning proves toxic and there is a need to shift the narrative in policy and practice. Leading by example is one of the most powerful actions thus elected representatives and community gatekeepers can be powerful agents of positive community change. <b>A Zero Waste Learning Center</b> can also be planned in a convenient location which can act as a constant source of learning on waste management for all stakeholders. </p><p role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.308; margin-bottom: 5pt; margin-top: 5pt; text-align: left;"> </p><p dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-1d7f98b9-7fff-ef38-c9b6-c6bc9f9c9673" style="line-height: 1.308; margin-bottom: 5pt; margin-top: 5pt;">Beyond all this, companies that are sparing no cost to send their plastics up the mountains need to be held accountable for managing it or taking it back. There is a need to close the plastic tap, especially those that are unnecessary, single-use and having no solutions. This is already enshrined in the Extended Producer Responsibility Rules 2022 under the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016 and this needs to be implemented in the mountain states. (<a href="https://www.downtoearth.org.in/blog/waste/plastic-crisis-in-the-mountains-will-extended-producer-responsibility-bring-in-change-72807">Plastic crisis in the mountains: Will extended producer responsibility bring in change</a>). <br /><br /></p><p>Zero Waste Himalaya is a platform of organizations, institutions and individuals working on issues of sustainable waste management and advocating for effective producer responsibility in the mountains. </p><br />Write to us at <a href="mailto:zerowastesikkimdarjeeling@gmail.com">zerowastesikkimdarjeeling@gmail.com</a> <br /><br /><br />Follows us on FB / Instagram: @zerowastehimalaya<br /><br />Priya Shrestha<br />Roshan Rai<br /><a href="http://www.thehimalayancleanup.in">www.thehimalayancleanup.in</a><br /><br /><p> </p>SaveTheHillshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02683050982473682760noreply@blogger.com0Darjeeling, West Bengal, India27.0410218 88.2662745-1.2692120361788461 53.110024499999994 55.351255636178848 123.4225245tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3323953779460457291.post-78206827391910912912024-01-24T09:44:00.000+05:302024-01-24T09:44:49.259+05:30AFTER THE FLOOD - By Pemzang Tenzin (Mangan, North Sikkim)<p> <b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6dSshGSTP829ceWCDWEmDP0ZE-48Mjp_3mIjn40Kit-sPT-TU9aHb3QCYJmj4MIPgYSmN-3BgWk1aAqgXwvtaAyNpnD74oEzxVXdbGd9-G3T_udFIPmQNZ6AjY8xgRBkzB-1-LQUYZNuRYN2gzV6PNQBejuv-pMWu5txImYFDxgRD1m5kFEmJpwd4-04a/s1280/Pemzang.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="721" data-original-width="1280" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6dSshGSTP829ceWCDWEmDP0ZE-48Mjp_3mIjn40Kit-sPT-TU9aHb3QCYJmj4MIPgYSmN-3BgWk1aAqgXwvtaAyNpnD74oEzxVXdbGd9-G3T_udFIPmQNZ6AjY8xgRBkzB-1-LQUYZNuRYN2gzV6PNQBejuv-pMWu5txImYFDxgRD1m5kFEmJpwd4-04a/w400-h225/Pemzang.jpg" width="400" /></a></b></div><p></p>
<p class="Body"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Zanak, at the base of the aptly
named Sentinel Peak, is the last outpost on the lesser used but religiously and
historically important Chorten Nyima La route </span><span lang="IT" style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: IT;">to Tibet</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The ITBP personnel
stationed there first raised the alarm on the South Lhonak Glacial Lake
Outburst Flood (GLOF) and possibly saved the lives of many people in the path
of the ravaging flood.</span></p>
<p class="Body"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"> South Lhonak Lake, like many other
glacial lakes, is meltwater stored behind a fragile dam created by debris and
ice left behind by the snout of the retreating glacier.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The 1950 Swiss Foundation map of Sikkim,
based on earlier Government of India surveys and still used today by trekkers
and mountaineers, does not show a lake at this location.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The lake has grown from nothing to its
present dimensions of more than 200 standard football pitches within a span of
less than a hundred years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The glacier is
expected to recede further and the size of the lake will increase in the very
near future. The volume of water stored is thirteen times the storage of the
erstwhile Teesta Urja reservoir.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is
estimated that half this volume spilled out during the October GLOF event. </span></p>
<p class="Body"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></p>
<p class="Body"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">This is a story repeated again and
again in others parts of the high mountains as the ice cap starts melting at an
accelerating rate due to the effects of climate warming.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Eastern Nepal, Sikkim and Bhutan regions
are considered a hotspot for GLOF activities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In Sikkim, the total area covered by ice caps is larger than the size of
some of the districts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Swiss
Consortium, in partnership with National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA)
is studying some of these lakes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
have compiled a list of twenty five lakes in Sikkim that have been red-flagged
by different agencies as being potentially dangerous.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Twenty four of these are located in North
Sikkim, almost equally distributed along the Lachen and Lachung axes and one in
West Sikkim.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With increased melting and
the recession of glaciers, more lakes are expected to form or increase in size,
making new areas in other areas of Sikkim vulnerable to GLOF.</span></p>
<p class="Body"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></p>
<p class="Body"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Sikkim’s limited experience with
mitigation measures for dangerous lakes, like siphoning of the same South
Lhonak in 2016 and controlled breaching of Mantam in 2017, has met with at best
limited success. The NDMA-Swiss Consortium project involves studying the South
Lhonak Lake and the Shako Cho as exemplars to suggest mitigation measures or to
design an Early Warning System.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Without
ground access, the Swiss experts had already completed the desktop studies
based on satellite imagery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Due to
security reasons, the team could only make its first field visit in September
of 2023 but before the team could even take stock of their visit, South Lhonak
Lake surprisingly burst on October 3rd. </span></p>
<p class="Body"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"> It is difficult to create an
accurate time line for the GLOF event and the arrival/peak flows at different
towns as both public and official reports vary considerably.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is due to the fact that the flood
happened in the middle of the night and it builds up gradually from first
arrival to peak flood levels over<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>a
matter of hours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The ITBP camp noticed
the level rise in the Goma Chu, the effluent stream from South Lhonak at about
10.30 at night (the Print), though the triggering landslides and the breaching
of the lake must have happened at least hours earlier.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In India, Central Water Commission (CWC)
monitors flows, including GLOF, in all the significant rivers through a network
of instrumentation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hydrologist/activist
Himanshu Thakkar writes in his blog that the automatic stations upstream of
Dikchu, including Lachen stopped reporting sometime before 10.30 pm on October
3rd and, in his opinion, these stations were probably non functional.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Downstream of Dikchu, instrumentation show
the river rose by about the height of a three storey building at Khanitar (near
Manipal) and by about a five storey building at Melli where the CWC stations
are located.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At these locations, the
floods first arrived at around midnight but took a couple of hours to build up
to maximum flows.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="Body"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"> The actual levels recorded at
Khanitar were more than twice as high as predicted in<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the CWC simulation for South Lhonak GLOF
published in their advisory in 2016.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Gazoldoba near Siliguri, located a couple of hundred kilometres
downstream of the GLOF source, recorded high flows (more than 7000 cumecs above
pre flood flow) despite the flood flowing through a number of manmade and
natural impedances on its long journey downstream.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The flood marks recorded at RangRang also
augments this observation that the flows on October 3rd/4th were much higher
than those simulated both by CWC and the Swiss consortium.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The flood marks upstream and downstream of
Chungthang could also provide an estimate of the effect of the collapse of the
dam on flood flows.</span></p>
<p class="Body"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"> The dam failure at Chungthang has
highlighted the vulnerability of power projects and the inadequacy of the
existing safety protocols in the face of abnormally high flood flows associated
with GLOFs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The dams are not designed
for overtopping and the amount of water it can manage are conventionally
calculated from hypothetical rainfalls in the catchment area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While repairing and rebuilding the damaged or
collapsed dams, GLOF has to be factored in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There is a need to have a relook at the hydrological design and flood
response protocols of all existing dams in Sikkim and elsewhere in the
Himalayas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is reasonable to question
whether the reservoirs were operating at minimum levels in October (monsoon
period) as required by safety protocols and whether the gates were working
properly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is a need for more
oversight from dam safety committees in the state (if it exists) and the centre
at both the design stage and during operations.</span></p>
<p class="Body"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"> Chungthang is built on a triangular
river terrace at the confluence of the Lachen and Lachung rivers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>River terraces are ephemeral geographical
features which seem doubly vulnerable to both GLOF and the shaking of
earthquakes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The October 3rd/4th GLOF
seems to have severely damaged or wiped out most of the river terraces upstream
of Dikchu along with infrastructure and property built on them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Parts of Toong and Rel villages built on
Talus slopes on the Teesta a few kilometres downstream of Chungthang are
collapsing due to undercutting by the flood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Here, the houses on and below the highway have toppled while those above
the highway have also developed cracks and may not survive the next
monsoon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Reports of cracks in structures
in other areas situated on hill slopes above the banks of the marauding flood
also needs to be investigated empathically.</span></p>
<p class="Body"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"> Whether it is landslides, GLOF or
any other natural disaster, the best mitigation measure is avoidance of the
vulnerable area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Past experience shows
that once the disaster is temporarily abated, people double down and start
rebuilding in the vulnerable areas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Due
to ad hoc decision making and paucity of funds, Government departments usually
put promises of resettlement in the back burner with the passage of time and
slowly forget about it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With our
increasing populations and increased exposure to multiple hazards, there is a
need to legally prevent development and houses in the designated disaster prone
zones and to formulate comprehensive and humane disaster rehabilitation
policies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="Body"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"> Beyond activism and partisan
politics, we need to rationally study and understand these constantly evolving
and growing natural threats to our society and learn to cope with them.</span></p>
<p class="Body"><i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Pemzang
Tenzing<br />21Jan2024<br />Mangan<br />pemzang@hotmail.com<br /></span></i></p>
SaveTheHillshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02683050982473682760noreply@blogger.com0South Lhonak lake, Sikkim27.9456049 88.3324332-0.36462893617884617 53.1761832 56.255838736178845 123.4886832tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3323953779460457291.post-41556640730071088832023-12-13T22:17:00.012+05:302023-12-14T08:25:07.100+05:30BBC covers what the Indian National Media missed: The 04Oct2023 GLOF disaster in the Teesta valley<p><span class="s-0">The BBC has today covered the 04Oct2023 GLOF disaster in the Teesta valley <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-67678440" target="_blank">here</a> and although the report by Cherylann Mollan,</span><span class="s-1"> Mumbai
has many glitches and errors, I welcome BBC's coverage merely
because the National Media has covered it too sketchily or missed it out altogether and the Central
and State Governments of Sikkim and W Bengal seem to </span><span class="s-2">think the GLOF incident was too insignificant, affecting too few to be bothered about.<br /></span><span class="s-3">Of the many errors in the report, I can point out a few glaring ones:</span></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span class="s-4"> The 04Oct2023 disaster has somehow been named the 'Sikkim flood
disaster' which precludes large downstream areas in Kalimpong district (W Bengal) which were also badly affected by the GLOF. </span><span class="s-5">This has been made worse by W Bengal government not even considering the event, a disaster.</span></li><li><span class="s-6">In all probability, what triggered the GLOF was a large landslide or an avalanche and NOT a cloud burst as mentioned by the BBC. </span><span class="s-7">Read <a href="http://savethehills.blogspot.com/2023/10/was-there-cloud-burst-in-sikkim-on.html" target="_blank">here</a></span></li><li><span class="s-8">The GLOF which started from South Lhonak Lake (elevation approx 17,300') late in the night of 03Oct2023,</span><span class="s-9"> wrecked many areas around Lachen but the first major town (not
nearby village) it devastated was Chungthang (elevation 5,</span><span class="s-10">500') approximately 62km downstream and where the Sikkim Urja Stage III 1200MW dam was located. The dam was destroyed by the GLOF which hit </span><span class="s-11">Chungthang at 12.35am on 04Oct2023.</span><span class="s-12"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2LoqAMuOXctarEydD_jZ9nXYM404IsYzQsg9EVX5Z6rNm2ggGub_NX924CFw6OEdQ6jWdzC6Cc93UCOoV2yzCN2BLloYNKIWRrsDN_Oxc2WVlyxazxX8BWnSUgtw0pE5RjumvXByn4WyZpNHA-IMmCADyBIypNtnxR-NMKKg-_zbj-txPXpsOXblAqnrq/s2000/3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2LoqAMuOXctarEydD_jZ9nXYM404IsYzQsg9EVX5Z6rNm2ggGub_NX924CFw6OEdQ6jWdzC6Cc93UCOoV2yzCN2BLloYNKIWRrsDN_Oxc2WVlyxazxX8BWnSUgtw0pE5RjumvXByn4WyZpNHA-IMmCADyBIypNtnxR-NMKKg-_zbj-txPXpsOXblAqnrq/w400-h266/3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>What remains of the 1200MW SIkkim Urja StageIII dam at Chungthang (Photo date: 18Nov2023)</span><span class="s-12"> <br /></span></li></ul><span class="s-12">We were in North Sikkim between 17-19Nov2023 and our reports on the
devastation in Chungthang town and its vicinity may be read <a href="http://savethehills.blogspot.com/2023/11/photographic-record-of-impact-of_26.html" target="_blank">here</a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://savethehills.blogspot.com/2023/11/photographic-record-of-impact-of_26.html" target="_blank"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl5G4wlT2KAvixg30KnPlDlDzimAGX99seOkHEyQ9aXpizDZVnRpCQgG7zwvsivgR-ZlMFVMyZc1jOBBWpqiXTto7tnihKpmXCxV5ZCOySmC1ZyNxhdMqRK6Up23GNnB5OXzolfMcTEkuaZKBFz3dusjctEg61xX5dLncoZtwpUrWEzLI2RiembsE-fhfv/s2000/Chungthang.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1498" data-original-width="2000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl5G4wlT2KAvixg30KnPlDlDzimAGX99seOkHEyQ9aXpizDZVnRpCQgG7zwvsivgR-ZlMFVMyZc1jOBBWpqiXTto7tnihKpmXCxV5ZCOySmC1ZyNxhdMqRK6Up23GNnB5OXzolfMcTEkuaZKBFz3dusjctEg61xX5dLncoZtwpUrWEzLI2RiembsE-fhfv/s320/Chungthang.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div></span><div style="margin-left: 80px; text-align: left;"><span class="s-12">Drone photo of devastation in Chungthang town (Photo date:18Nov2023)</span><br /></div><p></p><p><span class="s-13">I totally agree with Mathew Payne's (the School of Geography, Geology and
the Environment at the University of Leicester) statement in the BBC article:</span></p><p><span class="s-14">"This
catastrophe is a stark reminder of the escalating challenges faced by
the verdant Himalayan regions and the increasing magnitude of flooding
events necessitates resilient infrastructure capable </span><span class="s-15">of tolerating climate-induced excessive rainfall"<br /><br /></span><span class="s-16">which is why we emailed our report </span><span class="s-16">and recommendations </span><span class="s-16">on the 'Teesta valley GLOF disaster' to the NDMA and SDMA's of Sikkim and W Bengal on 10Nov2023. The <a href="http://savethehills.blogspot.com/2023/11/report-and-recommendations-on-glof.html" target="_blank">recommendations</a> are essentially short term, aimed at tackling the Monsoons of 2024 which are just 3 months away.<br /></span><span class="s-17"><br />We are yet to receive any reply to our report.</span></p><p><span class="s-18">My thanks to BBC for this report on the 04Oct2023 Teesta Valley GLOF disaster.</span></p><br /><br />Praful Rao<br />Kalimpong district<br />Darjeeling-Sikkim Himalaya<br />savethehills@gmail.com<br />0475033744<br />SaveTheHillshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02683050982473682760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3323953779460457291.post-16374417532424643632023-12-07T15:01:00.011+05:302023-12-07T15:15:29.183+05:30Side effects of the GLOF disaster - a trucker's strike in Kalimpong (04Dev2023)<p><span class="s-0">One of the major impacts of
the GLOF of 04Oct2023 was its effect on road communications in the
lower parts of the Teesta valley that is, on NH10 which connects Gangtok
to Siliguri.</span></p><p><span class="s-1"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">About NH10</span></b></span></p><p><span class="s-2">NH10
is an arterial road, vital for the nation’s security; it is the
lifeline for the border state of Sikkim and for Kalimpong district in W
Bengal.</span></p><p><span class="s-3">Of the 114km distance
between Siliguri and Gangtok approximately 92 kms of NH10 lies in
mountainous terrain and for much of this distance,</span><span class="s-4"> the highway winds itself along the banks of the Teesta river. </span><span class="s-5">Several
large dams have now been built on the Teesta between Chungthang
(Sikkim) and Coronation bridge (W Bengal) and many more are planned. </span><span class="s-6">The
proximity of the river to the highway and the dam activity in this area
has undoubtedly contributed to the instability on NH10. </span><span class="s-7">The
44.9km IRCON/NFR single lane railway project between Sevoke and Rangpo
which has 85% of the distance in tunnels also runs close to NH10 along
the valley. </span><span class="s-8">This is also creating problems with the excavations from the tunnels and sludge affecting traffic. </span></p><p><span class="s-9">This
area receives approx 2500-3000mm of rainfall annually and has a lot of
landslide activity as such there are many 'hotspots' or large and
troublesome landslide areas which routinely disrupt </span><span class="s-10">traffic during the monsoons both in the 38km Sikkim section (from Rangpo to Gangtok) and the much longer (62km) W Bengal section (Rangpo to Coronation bridge). </span><span class="s-11">The entire region is in earthquake zone IV.<br /></span><span class="s-12">Normally, approx 3500-4000 vehicles ply on NH10 each day from Sikkim, Kalimpong to Siliguri. <br /><br />The W Bengal section of NH10 is being maintained by the PWD (W Bengal) except for a small portion between Teesta Bazar and Geil Khola which is with NHIDCL. Maintenance of the 28km part in Sikkim from Rangpo to Ranipul is again with NHIDCL</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwlBZkRuAFUplYONQJ1mY9ysIpt4IY7iAKNwNk5z9jHu6sefQmVNNjwJ5Kp8mt7Dm-8tUg-oVQIOJvJS2OmRvxWFmKbkZzhaS4nSeFc_0yq2M5OVV0IfdIgPV58jqIr0VMFfQUagIfCewIRy8DI8HhzuwB86hYI28DkQ5Aw_7Wro8nE74dzBA_zIg3LRiO/s1178/NHIDCL.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="899" data-original-width="1178" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwlBZkRuAFUplYONQJ1mY9ysIpt4IY7iAKNwNk5z9jHu6sefQmVNNjwJ5Kp8mt7Dm-8tUg-oVQIOJvJS2OmRvxWFmKbkZzhaS4nSeFc_0yq2M5OVV0IfdIgPV58jqIr0VMFfQUagIfCewIRy8DI8HhzuwB86hYI28DkQ5Aw_7Wro8nE74dzBA_zIg3LRiO/w400-h305/NHIDCL.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Source: NHIDCL<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><b>Current problems</b><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> <br /></span></span></span>The GLOF of 04Oct2023 shredded many parts of NH10 and for some time the Kalimpong - Melli section of the highway and the Kalimpong to 27th mile sections were closed due to damage.<p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXXKwt3US3nnbpDBiU58eXEqB7VRGkM_MLyBDQxggiYa0UiuXYUTzypsJUk0-_Qmc9F3Rf0qQz5LdDxwPICQLEe2icct9RdrWRlS6X3y_8AbtGW1s9BiamdSWRvYZ1R-Yc691FllXmkLq_nuF59lHwXCMSFFvQZmkn1ABsRZ00twN3ueypWPknFPWlOx11/s2000/P10.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="1498" data-original-width="2000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXXKwt3US3nnbpDBiU58eXEqB7VRGkM_MLyBDQxggiYa0UiuXYUTzypsJUk0-_Qmc9F3Rf0qQz5LdDxwPICQLEe2icct9RdrWRlS6X3y_8AbtGW1s9BiamdSWRvYZ1R-Yc691FllXmkLq_nuF59lHwXCMSFFvQZmkn1ABsRZ00twN3ueypWPknFPWlOx11/w400-h300/P10.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Drone photo of NH10 opposite Melli bazar, on 10Oct2023 which had been eroded away by the GLOF<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3AgFRE3HCTVLL4EU6IQYRU4YpDKelxi6-0l1ZSN34j2PnKH3fYtg33ROReiV14-lQIXJs-OYAZOw7FIFLWUH25EHjsUdqgiB5kGRwMFfklHStxk7qQDbdjj74UiZX5Txr9KWLgBLejBBI0iEfRoPRzhdx6owdKZ-A3AatOg861hUqGylJwkd2tYCo3BBZ/s2000/11.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3AgFRE3HCTVLL4EU6IQYRU4YpDKelxi6-0l1ZSN34j2PnKH3fYtg33ROReiV14-lQIXJs-OYAZOw7FIFLWUH25EHjsUdqgiB5kGRwMFfklHStxk7qQDbdjj74UiZX5Txr9KWLgBLejBBI0iEfRoPRzhdx6owdKZ-A3AatOg861hUqGylJwkd2tYCo3BBZ/w400-h266/11.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Part of NH10 towards Sikkim from Teesta bazar after the GLOF on 10Oct2023<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj10J1eB4cGy8VWlKKh6fZVkIq7HJJF4AmIGLWd1TV1EGVVgJ7Tn5iEjtBCyqGFyBmBs-zHcdsO4In0uMytaLxtXM5fOwplZQlpA3aIL2bynPToJ0U2OIjEP_-IH_WCWnex2CFAWvwYHv5fA0QPUcLyaFSti2pI4N2UUczyxHFYJ4vYf8SZ85pyPtWephw7/s2000/7a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="2000" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj10J1eB4cGy8VWlKKh6fZVkIq7HJJF4AmIGLWd1TV1EGVVgJ7Tn5iEjtBCyqGFyBmBs-zHcdsO4In0uMytaLxtXM5fOwplZQlpA3aIL2bynPToJ0U2OIjEP_-IH_WCWnex2CFAWvwYHv5fA0QPUcLyaFSti2pI4N2UUczyxHFYJ4vYf8SZ85pyPtWephw7/w400-h225/7a.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Part of particularly troublesome part (between Teesta bazar and Geil khola) of NH10 on 18Oct2023. 'A' is Geil Khola which was severely impacted by the GLOF and 'B' is Likhu Bhir landslide area which has been reactivated by the GLOF.<br /><p></p><p>Vehicular traffic quickly resumed on the Teesta - Gangtok section of NH10 and we could <a href="http://savethehills.blogspot.com/2023/10/photo-essay-on-glacial-lake-outburst.html" target="_blank">report on the impact of the GLOF at Melli and Bhalukhola on 10Oct2023</a>. The Teesta to Coronation bridge section required more time and was only opened for light vehicles (4 wheelers) and between 6am-6pm on 21Oct2023. <br /></p><p>On 04Dec2023 truckers from Kalimpong supported by truck unions from Sikkim and also minibus operators called an indefinite strike alleging long delays in repairing the Teesta - Coronation bridge section of the highway. See map below:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp7giISp_xMshDlQxlu0wYNSCSEgDN3qyqO-KpKT8yD-dYw3G8IWq8G2uKUP_PmahX9gZQMMkRtYHyipsYDcrflMzWdrS48PghPQd3GtrDt3xmkB62cr3sJj5fNedmH-fkZgPEeDdG33IznmfQi_t7Uu8T2imbPn7b3Hm1STDotOKGNXIv2-6kM0E9nJPs/s2390/MapDec2023abcd.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2390" data-original-width="1363" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp7giISp_xMshDlQxlu0wYNSCSEgDN3qyqO-KpKT8yD-dYw3G8IWq8G2uKUP_PmahX9gZQMMkRtYHyipsYDcrflMzWdrS48PghPQd3GtrDt3xmkB62cr3sJj5fNedmH-fkZgPEeDdG33IznmfQi_t7Uu8T2imbPn7b3Hm1STDotOKGNXIv2-6kM0E9nJPs/w228-h400/MapDec2023abcd.jpg" width="228" /></a></div><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<![endif]-->* <b>ABCF</b> is the normal NH10 route (in the mountains) for all vehicles . Now this route is only OPEN for light vehicles. On this road, the Siliguri - Gangtok distance is 114km and takes approx 4hrs.<br />* Section <b>CF</b> is closed for 6 wheeler trucks and buses and other heavy vehicles.<br />* Because of the CF closure, heavy vehicles from Gangtok and Kalimpong have to detour thru <b>ABCDEF</b> route ie drive thru Kalimpong town, to Lava & Gorubathan which is 228km and takes approx 7 hrs <br /><b>OR </b><br />* Otherwise heavy vehicles have to follow the route shown in blue (241km) ie <b>ABDEF</b> route which again takes 7 hours plus.<br />Heavy vehicular movements disrupt traffic as such they are only permitted to ply at night thru urban areas, so I met a truck driver from Sikkim enroute to Siliguri, taking a nap at 10.00am on the roadside, because he had a 7hr drive ahead in the night.<br /><b>NH717A</b> is under construction and is not available to traffic.<br />A smaller alternate route from Kalimpong across Relli river then thru Samthar and Panbu and Kalijhora is available for light vehicles. However, this route is not suitable for heavy traffic and is at places desolate.<br />Lastly, a major problem with the alternate routing thru NH717A and the current Lava - Gorubathan routing is that this area receives almost 4000mm rainfall annually, has severe thundershowers during the monsoons and has a number of large landslide zones such as that in Nimbong.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyYI5Ex-nWtM5yRaE2_ZiTzLz7zDyuByI0-4SsZYikABZ7sZ8DGaLvTBnaX3xSzCw9rlUHRA9V70PhXuxCy-A' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Video of heavy night time traffic thru Pedong bazar courtesy Amod Pradhan<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKTTjWROKNKGfe-HH7BSzUJDtIagso3ToT7_uBWnxngeVD2JcrCey5_FYwTJGf4HCWQTf-3-gSzVrV1d_oRxEGfTeq9fAlqQFBLq0jQLigSWd2jF6l9wqWqup55YF_0EvIeCPec-3kZpSFTlo0lZWM1MWgSif5rCAXmrEobAcAcBo2wzYcgND_CKYZyWVp/s3754/damagedculvert.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2112" data-original-width="3754" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKTTjWROKNKGfe-HH7BSzUJDtIagso3ToT7_uBWnxngeVD2JcrCey5_FYwTJGf4HCWQTf-3-gSzVrV1d_oRxEGfTeq9fAlqQFBLq0jQLigSWd2jF6l9wqWqup55YF_0EvIeCPec-3kZpSFTlo0lZWM1MWgSif5rCAXmrEobAcAcBo2wzYcgND_CKYZyWVp/s320/damagedculvert.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Damaged culvert at 11th mile Kalimpong due to movement of heavy trucks from Sikkim and Kalimpong to Siliguri.<br /><p><span class="s-0"></span></p><p></p><p><span class="s-1">Luckily,
the strike was quickly called off with the District Administration
assuring the striking transporters that the Teesta - Coronation section
would be opened to heavy vehicles and buses from 10Dec2023.</span></p><p></p><p><span class="s-2">In
all this, the plight of truckers and bus operators who have to do a
grueling 7-9hr drive from Gangtok to Siliguri is understandable - it is a
tough and tiring drive, mostly along mountain roads.</span></p><p><span class="s-3">Freight
charges of a truck from Siliguri to Kalimpong have gone up from Rs
8,000/- to roughly double that ie Rs 15,000/- and the drivers take two
days to complete a round trip.</span></p><p><span class="s-4">On the other hand, the caution on the part of the district administration is also very understandable. </span><span class="s-5">The
Teesta bazar to Sevoke section of NH10 has always been a particularly
vulnerable area with numerous 'hotspots' and the GLOF has only made
these places weaker. </span><span class="s-6">Opening NH10 to
full traffic in haste and without any restrictions may expose travelers
along the highway to dangerous and weak areas and we have already
witnessed a number of accidents along NH10 </span><span class="s-7">recently and even some fatalities.<br /><br />Praful Rao<br />Kalimpong district<br />Darjeeling-Sikkim Himalaya<br />savethehills@gmail.com<br />9475033744<br /></span></p>SaveTheHillshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02683050982473682760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3323953779460457291.post-7278291218962825852023-12-01T20:03:00.004+05:302023-12-01T20:52:02.575+05:30Photographic record of the impact of 04Oct2023 GLOF on NHPC assets at SIngtam, Sikkim <p><b>BALUATAR, SINGTAM </b>(27 15 1.8 N 88 27 34.1 E)<br /><br />While returning from our visit to North Sikkim on 19Nov2023, we stopped by at Baluatar, Singtam to check the impact of the GLOF on the large NHPC complex there. It consists of the NHPC Stage V (Dikchu dam) power station, the Office of CEO, LANCO Teesta Hydro Electric Project, quarters for NHPC officers and personnel, a Kendriya Vidyalaya school, hospital and shopping complex . </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-JJE1fh-qvLikmFt0MygO2qJ1xMLfHZPEn4tqnUhfaW9vgyiUtIv-nN8Bq3EHkD9HnOggnXg47hF1JaK8Ix9PUyJ9Bv6GnxqHAhPVCbGAoBqBMrYQrnwBtq6EoHY4Rl_uguz0hNl9zNRPMqUT63vvcSvtTv2YyagXGzLtU6w9eS5IJkX8sOHBypyGURhT/s1920/map1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1122" data-original-width="1920" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-JJE1fh-qvLikmFt0MygO2qJ1xMLfHZPEn4tqnUhfaW9vgyiUtIv-nN8Bq3EHkD9HnOggnXg47hF1JaK8Ix9PUyJ9Bv6GnxqHAhPVCbGAoBqBMrYQrnwBtq6EoHY4Rl_uguz0hNl9zNRPMqUT63vvcSvtTv2YyagXGzLtU6w9eS5IJkX8sOHBypyGURhT/w400-h234/map1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5cAewlVY-hBTJFlnpDVsnRtT5gbIxCLRIzurtb1oyI6f0bcG62r-KTqzfmh1LFp7jJbzZo-Lui2lcZeyzU26zD_KcmXsUfDWuJ68tKxmVoDN33eQAxxlH8lT2u3vZKk-R86_rye5RmEYG8ZZI5LwzV6EuprNtillNgLJG4EEMnDoODGtRfqumxUl4S8GX/s2000/BTar1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1796" data-original-width="2000" height="359" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5cAewlVY-hBTJFlnpDVsnRtT5gbIxCLRIzurtb1oyI6f0bcG62r-KTqzfmh1LFp7jJbzZo-Lui2lcZeyzU26zD_KcmXsUfDWuJ68tKxmVoDN33eQAxxlH8lT2u3vZKk-R86_rye5RmEYG8ZZI5LwzV6EuprNtillNgLJG4EEMnDoODGtRfqumxUl4S8GX/w400-h359/BTar1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table>View of the damage from NH10.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The damage to the assets has been huge with the bridge connecting the opposite bank at Baluatar washed away:<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinFpneXqRm1lGVXp8TPpkcbNbPiKuu-5ZKHT-UJm9lQTuVPGhmmlKjTD6AqqhRjkiYlh96USM_Q3846PHVUZRLC83e4yn6QurdeNqEWhup0OEpARLqsBKBhwWyWOK7W85ZVVBSbpkJmPeXG2Lb7NcVHudGs8P4uHEkRldcWkLdw_dtPbZRdWhnpDsqWN1k/s2000/3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinFpneXqRm1lGVXp8TPpkcbNbPiKuu-5ZKHT-UJm9lQTuVPGhmmlKjTD6AqqhRjkiYlh96USM_Q3846PHVUZRLC83e4yn6QurdeNqEWhup0OEpARLqsBKBhwWyWOK7W85ZVVBSbpkJmPeXG2Lb7NcVHudGs8P4uHEkRldcWkLdw_dtPbZRdWhnpDsqWN1k/w400-h266/3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>The whole area was deserted so we could not check when this area was hit by the GLOF, their experience or ascertain what was damaged except that which was immediately visible to us:<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiftJUteGdgl4BobngaxNbXORT_FkrXVaLWpmweWojjBS346bH-59ZHyzFHnUQtq7QXcdJpSdrRU8YdhinMfy_do8tAONTUIvq-Zf51hVazSnO4Vs5588vxMoGAhhkhrZ9Q4cWKSC5LT0sXuF687fF_P8GvFcW6VdEZiNe3TkRWlB5Efz4ElYnIpuzBGi7J/s2000/4.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiftJUteGdgl4BobngaxNbXORT_FkrXVaLWpmweWojjBS346bH-59ZHyzFHnUQtq7QXcdJpSdrRU8YdhinMfy_do8tAONTUIvq-Zf51hVazSnO4Vs5588vxMoGAhhkhrZ9Q4cWKSC5LT0sXuF687fF_P8GvFcW6VdEZiNe3TkRWlB5Efz4ElYnIpuzBGi7J/w400-h266/4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Damaged machinery outside the Stage V Power Station.<br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbq3yZIhfEJih42QYZMA2wkK0mVP1MfVURn_MGhIebvLx-21yCLTa-5dcjlk0nUS73f15tPDj8W7N0duT9kLbRiSIyEwQr67KDQnBSYpENkg2py_YoT67BTjP0baGDIUhNURXpMlg1jYjxV_HDPFkXtjw9UCIWDPQn0g_IWoeUN1w4lBOF7PMn21DWTqja/s2000/5.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbq3yZIhfEJih42QYZMA2wkK0mVP1MfVURn_MGhIebvLx-21yCLTa-5dcjlk0nUS73f15tPDj8W7N0duT9kLbRiSIyEwQr67KDQnBSYpENkg2py_YoT67BTjP0baGDIUhNURXpMlg1jYjxV_HDPFkXtjw9UCIWDPQn0g_IWoeUN1w4lBOF7PMn21DWTqja/w400-h266/5.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The raw power of nature is evident from these steel rods which have been bent and torn off. From photographs on the internet, there was a playground here and a lot of trees and greenery. The GLOF has swiped away everything and dumped almost 10 feet of sludge/sand here.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPmWTmPYB1vNDdyL3t4Un3Wz5P-HzusIxGx-G5V8eAR5lflNQcEbVeMlRd5I64_VzP8jOIo3coiRlHL8rPOpgfJSb2Zg_b4YvH-qRxQ-SeNLGUuVGqTDxyW8VjC1ifyS3eecOfGNFA94_6DorMoxMY4qDczAg09wTe28GoUWxz8TXDhLIZYwSjEjyk5ZSu/s2000/6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPmWTmPYB1vNDdyL3t4Un3Wz5P-HzusIxGx-G5V8eAR5lflNQcEbVeMlRd5I64_VzP8jOIo3coiRlHL8rPOpgfJSb2Zg_b4YvH-qRxQ-SeNLGUuVGqTDxyW8VjC1ifyS3eecOfGNFA94_6DorMoxMY4qDczAg09wTe28GoUWxz8TXDhLIZYwSjEjyk5ZSu/w400-h266/6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Damaged electrical components of NHPC Stage VI dam complex at Baluatar<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkoZXGzZVC92rtPd-JxZWGMnfDY-_tVChahOBiUtx0QMzcXsf1XPNFMPTmGlKYfkLRzBJ3BE1TdqkpY_eCJLGZdfa87_icd179U6isq9PHvSzzCTY2r9kIsVl2YCLfMmPqMCstYsv-dIArBEcsSOg92xB0iTkotl3vc_T7XnDXjxJ-0jO3D6mxEHy1PxdK/s2000/7.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkoZXGzZVC92rtPd-JxZWGMnfDY-_tVChahOBiUtx0QMzcXsf1XPNFMPTmGlKYfkLRzBJ3BE1TdqkpY_eCJLGZdfa87_icd179U6isq9PHvSzzCTY2r9kIsVl2YCLfMmPqMCstYsv-dIArBEcsSOg92xB0iTkotl3vc_T7XnDXjxJ-0jO3D6mxEHy1PxdK/w400-h266/7.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>What appears to be a workshop covered with tons of sludge. A bus lies partially buried in the debris.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2AmPCm0n1uHrfIVXLpmD2ftGCA7jY3b72o12dziQPZUY1WW1oo0J4HdDQXD8L8FZICSfjqiXeVL8M6xZhXYZ39qyqeMsMtubDRTMd6Cifkg9WFQpeB1t7IpAmglsF3XmHPH9vbPRS5MdS73fLHP3YFrDwllIdZGhFx3lKrbYBp1VDBneuOlNWHMFAhrnq/s2000/9.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2AmPCm0n1uHrfIVXLpmD2ftGCA7jY3b72o12dziQPZUY1WW1oo0J4HdDQXD8L8FZICSfjqiXeVL8M6xZhXYZ39qyqeMsMtubDRTMd6Cifkg9WFQpeB1t7IpAmglsF3XmHPH9vbPRS5MdS73fLHP3YFrDwllIdZGhFx3lKrbYBp1VDBneuOlNWHMFAhrnq/w400-h266/9.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>A structure excavated from approx 12 feet of sludge at the NHPC Stage VI complex.<br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><br /> <br /></td></tr></tbody></table></div><br /><b>NHPC TEESTA STAGE VI Hydro Electric Project Barrage at Sirwani, SINGTAM </b>(27 14 34.9 N 88 28 37.8 E)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgke0bM3GvysCHaohr7vE7CFJ_Nwy7mXyzeC-BQLinP-3uCuDJhsiM7o95ovlN6aFMRON9PzwLarwnVuTC7PYLfQDffr8FUo2TFHgJInHUCF15BBaWHSvOhxIaR7pBKP0rZJXPQAYdORf5KNi5lHzQOozEV41QochwsoDxJCWrs_mFPzhVGQQT01zHFuB7X/s2000/10.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgke0bM3GvysCHaohr7vE7CFJ_Nwy7mXyzeC-BQLinP-3uCuDJhsiM7o95ovlN6aFMRON9PzwLarwnVuTC7PYLfQDffr8FUo2TFHgJInHUCF15BBaWHSvOhxIaR7pBKP0rZJXPQAYdORf5KNi5lHzQOozEV41QochwsoDxJCWrs_mFPzhVGQQT01zHFuB7X/w400-h266/10.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>The barrage, with what appears to be ruins of the bridge (see map) which was swept down by the GLOF </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggMDk6To34U8sA8fZcI2hsNiv1zhLPqCvhne6HftQH4mCd4ndt8y5tqlLStajXpLDCV5QkL8zJAisiVZVJVQ9eOlF15Z3-Ovlh9M8BFaUTrO84-WT0JSIZtW6U1x2xo8b3ZenBnxlfCRt6OrtsgT9soJtQKDOOSkXj0zEEJlAoif_IRHdE1MSF7RiQU2te/s2000/11.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggMDk6To34U8sA8fZcI2hsNiv1zhLPqCvhne6HftQH4mCd4ndt8y5tqlLStajXpLDCV5QkL8zJAisiVZVJVQ9eOlF15Z3-Ovlh9M8BFaUTrO84-WT0JSIZtW6U1x2xo8b3ZenBnxlfCRt6OrtsgT9soJtQKDOOSkXj0zEEJlAoif_IRHdE1MSF7RiQU2te/w400-h266/11.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Literally every crevice and nook along the path of the GLOF has been filled up with millions of tree stumps. The destruction of forests by the GLOF should be quantified to know how much was lost to the floods.<br />This is the STAGE VI dam at Sirwani, SIngtam on 19Nov2023.<p></p><p>Praful Rao<br />Kalimpong district<br />Darjeeling - Sikkim Himalaya<br />savethehills@gmail.com<br />9475033744<br /><br />with<br /><b></b></p><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Praveen Chhetri<br />Junkeri Studios, <br />Kalimpong<br />junkeristudio@gmail.com<br />9733185815</span></h4><p><b><br /></b><br /></p><p></p>SaveTheHillshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02683050982473682760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3323953779460457291.post-79587215328911047882023-11-26T10:16:00.009+05:302023-11-27T12:48:39.634+05:30Photographic record of the impact of 04Oct2023 GLOF at Chungthang (North Sikkim) and its vicinity.<p>Chungthang (Lat 27 36 13.3 N Long 88 38 43.5 E, Elevation:1612.5m) is a small town (population around 4000) in North Sikkim located at the confluence of Lachen Chu ('Chu' means 'Water' in Tibetan) and Lachung Chu. It was also where the Sikkim Urja (Teesta III) dam, a 1200MW, 60 M high Concrete Faced Rockfill Dam (CFRD) was built - it was commissioned in Feb 2017. The dam was the largest run of the river project in the region and the power house was located downstream at Singhik village. <br />Sikkim Power Investment Corporation Limited (SPICL), a 100% wholly owned public limited company of Government of Sikkim, is the holding company of the project.<br />The growth of Chungthang between 2006 and 2020 is shown below:<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5WbMd2gjOYOCb-4K0L3C_QRBzuZp9VXg0bclcVah-GYUkJvaoLmSpvwdQ1eGViD4y-SyWBZRiFtCO6z2-d4YKqx4YM1a1sGLwnvAOsdq8ySMD4FlLcGB1qLMs9I0xnrNogv1e_ySkRSFjWGJ9n4XdWLwVeXLgBdJxTsWXx7B2u5DUBBJM96OMka87o0IS/s1326/Chungthang.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1326" data-original-width="705" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5WbMd2gjOYOCb-4K0L3C_QRBzuZp9VXg0bclcVah-GYUkJvaoLmSpvwdQ1eGViD4y-SyWBZRiFtCO6z2-d4YKqx4YM1a1sGLwnvAOsdq8ySMD4FlLcGB1qLMs9I0xnrNogv1e_ySkRSFjWGJ9n4XdWLwVeXLgBdJxTsWXx7B2u5DUBBJM96OMka87o0IS/w213-h400/Chungthang.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><p>In this regard, quoting from <a href="http://www.sikkimstdc.com/GeneralPages/Details/Chungthang/202/Details.aspx" target="_blank">The Sikkim Tourism Development Corporation (STDC) website</a>: 'With the recent hydropower development in the area, the landscape of
Chungthang is changing rapidly and is becoming a major settlement in
North Sikkim.'<br />The glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) from South Lhonak glacier in the late hours of 03Oct2023, released a massive volume of water along Lachen Chu which deluged and engulfed almost the whole of Chungthang at around 12.30am on 04Oct2023. It took down the double lane concrete bridge at Chungthang after sweeping away at least 3 bridges towards Lachen and one bridge across the Lachung Chu. <br />Amidst the rain, roar and rumble of the river and pitch dark conditions no one is precisely sure when the Teesta III dam collapsed but it did so sometime during the night. It was only on the next day that everyone in Chungthang became aware of the horror and scale of devastation.<br />The GLOF and the dam collapse caused an unprecedented disaster all along Teesta river valley which SaveTheHills has been documenting since 04Oct2023.<br />We were in Chungthang for the entire day on 18Nov2023 and talked to many affected people while photographing the disaster - besides just being awed at the raw and vicious power of nature. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1KvYkTojE3PAcDjYwOIlGzEdZaXNKtEzThxDciKJdk3R6gy24dPxZkJM5KxCWzerIEfLVXUgiZqQFSiWd107KjqZzbyAmJdxCTVW6oKDJ1uPMh-tNr2P1QV_0fgmu19fR_ixQFx4ypuql-o21YY0x7I6jPSzbb8bO9KT3pH-tGMvhnC176SnTzfTFR9Ye/s2000/GEarth2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1KvYkTojE3PAcDjYwOIlGzEdZaXNKtEzThxDciKJdk3R6gy24dPxZkJM5KxCWzerIEfLVXUgiZqQFSiWd107KjqZzbyAmJdxCTVW6oKDJ1uPMh-tNr2P1QV_0fgmu19fR_ixQFx4ypuql-o21YY0x7I6jPSzbb8bO9KT3pH-tGMvhnC176SnTzfTFR9Ye/w400-h266/GEarth2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><h4 style="text-align: left;"><b>What remains of Sikkim Urja (Teesta III), 1200MW dam<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMq03Xj1ufS2a3vaB2mE7sCdJi8OMj09xqZLJvtVPnl-vNIIAXX6Y1haz_vYfrYqDmDd3eNpOGEAR9QGWCTpkgRDm2Mq5RxuqiqHLXzHOgbzwFlFLlb80mrkmygD7Gyz8RRCh_Ws3V7xdMIXaQIeTIMOT9QEFLUBBx9BIkGobtqEBdbxEkdynnJu59Tqim/s2000/Stage-iii.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1498" data-original-width="2000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMq03Xj1ufS2a3vaB2mE7sCdJi8OMj09xqZLJvtVPnl-vNIIAXX6Y1haz_vYfrYqDmDd3eNpOGEAR9QGWCTpkgRDm2Mq5RxuqiqHLXzHOgbzwFlFLlb80mrkmygD7Gyz8RRCh_Ws3V7xdMIXaQIeTIMOT9QEFLUBBx9BIkGobtqEBdbxEkdynnJu59Tqim/w400-h300/Stage-iii.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br />Drone image from Chungthang town looking down stream. </span><b><span style="font-weight: normal;">The magnitude of nature's forces
involved is evident from the giant boulder which has been hoisted to
that height and parked in a slot.<br /></span></b><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNta4yNAStNacnSbCgcw9ME7ahjMF_Ox519N1TxcrDz0APCj_45zM_chKdf8xhEYOxGE4gHUye5gS3pXeBg3-KZZBMUJYOuNXIPlTPcoHXoYg7gO2Ta_26UnUj0wYh9bBAfJNB3b3wIcFxJo4XigoG9LK-kfgX23bKulwjQLUNAOBx66WObalAUcOFzhy2/s2000/Teesta-urja-stage-iii-dam.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1498" data-original-width="2000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNta4yNAStNacnSbCgcw9ME7ahjMF_Ox519N1TxcrDz0APCj_45zM_chKdf8xhEYOxGE4gHUye5gS3pXeBg3-KZZBMUJYOuNXIPlTPcoHXoYg7gO2Ta_26UnUj0wYh9bBAfJNB3b3wIcFxJo4XigoG9LK-kfgX23bKulwjQLUNAOBx66WObalAUcOFzhy2/w400-h300/Teesta-urja-stage-iii-dam.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-weight: normal;">Drone image of the dam looking upstream; Chungthang town is in the distant with Lachen Chu on the left and Lachung Chu on the right. The extent of damage is visible even from far.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhibbYQ6oyOKs3v8ok97TLiJrAL-DvgrkKMN3vjxbq17zDb9E6PFtuAxW0MzI3qSAnhTAgMbKeNQwBM_438H08LQhyTn-KwcckzX4c9dhQjjjVb0dHDzt4ki_tOI5DFapDfTU94Ve79Sv9acATe0VZFI5pNW0wHgfcncuIPAppV3QLwGqTAL0n0J0BDK2dc/s1364/1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="965" data-original-width="1364" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhibbYQ6oyOKs3v8ok97TLiJrAL-DvgrkKMN3vjxbq17zDb9E6PFtuAxW0MzI3qSAnhTAgMbKeNQwBM_438H08LQhyTn-KwcckzX4c9dhQjjjVb0dHDzt4ki_tOI5DFapDfTU94Ve79Sv9acATe0VZFI5pNW0wHgfcncuIPAppV3QLwGqTAL0n0J0BDK2dc/w400-h283/1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Satellite image of the dam<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4NE90fnLenMdL1oelnE0mkwxhDq2G2z1Vq5JU7yTnPsgfnIISR8lFaToTCieIT74mdcKMSYxbOHQbIZIl-ICbghVGRZaa6MriUkZUiuw9spq_o8fcpaaUqzNu-_pY-MLGWVBxiKcmCnkiBnHWM6zCJINkgWgUsH98chVkY1D2EHLxnO7c_xcVlPRvLivy/s2000/4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4NE90fnLenMdL1oelnE0mkwxhDq2G2z1Vq5JU7yTnPsgfnIISR8lFaToTCieIT74mdcKMSYxbOHQbIZIl-ICbghVGRZaa6MriUkZUiuw9spq_o8fcpaaUqzNu-_pY-MLGWVBxiKcmCnkiBnHWM6zCJINkgWgUsH98chVkY1D2EHLxnO7c_xcVlPRvLivy/w400-h266/4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></span></div></b></h4>This was where Sikkim Urja (Teesta III) dam had its entire office setup. The GM's office and other residential quarters were also here. The surging waters swept away all and left behind some trash and gigantic boulders.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguJpboQfjZvAOMIu3x18_0qS8KvxwYTIX5sTjy4Gb6_gzx4LLUnCSdbMmr3h0UvYUF8gweegOJdpZUwKTwVp_11RFGh5FODyKbhApH7NHe2WJYlZze_KGGdTWPI6jy3KEQui-xfK-NILi9hkNdekL9vwhh_5w9xBxvBfsdpQT-r02RlsYYZbKp0XkKa42Q/s2000/2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguJpboQfjZvAOMIu3x18_0qS8KvxwYTIX5sTjy4Gb6_gzx4LLUnCSdbMmr3h0UvYUF8gweegOJdpZUwKTwVp_11RFGh5FODyKbhApH7NHe2WJYlZze_KGGdTWPI6jy3KEQui-xfK-NILi9hkNdekL9vwhh_5w9xBxvBfsdpQT-r02RlsYYZbKp0XkKa42Q/w400-h266/2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Gigantic rock formations have emerged after the GLOF gouged out all the earth on top (which now form the sand and sludge deposits downstream). The massive boulder clogging up a dam structure can be seen in the background.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjkgz0lTvyscY63TuXRoqRSxlJ9g1DnTruoUohsaloYOnxTMK7BvMsr4q5yY30pEOyBWVybJa-watSzNoI8sn4My4BxIV0fJNAsmVBBCXMqvCAXGD0RdcLCo0tgg-x0znbhdLCRxfPBvRZeZFs7RCSIWJhUA0wwPU4GwpUyUBhyCuLw1MatdzLzCBCsXIE/s2000/12.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjkgz0lTvyscY63TuXRoqRSxlJ9g1DnTruoUohsaloYOnxTMK7BvMsr4q5yY30pEOyBWVybJa-watSzNoI8sn4My4BxIV0fJNAsmVBBCXMqvCAXGD0RdcLCo0tgg-x0znbhdLCRxfPBvRZeZFs7RCSIWJhUA0wwPU4GwpUyUBhyCuLw1MatdzLzCBCsXIE/w400-h266/12.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Parts and machinery from the Stage III dam now litter the river bed at Chungthang.<br /><br /><h4>The 'GLOF Only' areas. </h4><h4><span style="font-weight: normal;">By this we mean, areas upstream along Lachen Chu river where the dam burst did not have any impact and the destruction was caused solely by the GLOF from South Lhonak lake.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMx_x-XcMlN-NIFPa9RdGBAWnzkyTX7cYyDSP13B-uyBVMYXBHp07_gzaBvKmdkoiCZVvFcnAnBO1T7mdJNXkyN3F6j2iPY3lQiKKoPofhRxr_bJpGIwu9BZIBewXgZn8v_AalkuxqNqHQsR-jMhXm_B2mCsul7i8hExfPPwM6ooSGJYsWMWwMfknfSPyu/s2000/glof-hit-areas.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1498" data-original-width="2000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMx_x-XcMlN-NIFPa9RdGBAWnzkyTX7cYyDSP13B-uyBVMYXBHp07_gzaBvKmdkoiCZVvFcnAnBO1T7mdJNXkyN3F6j2iPY3lQiKKoPofhRxr_bJpGIwu9BZIBewXgZn8v_AalkuxqNqHQsR-jMhXm_B2mCsul7i8hExfPPwM6ooSGJYsWMWwMfknfSPyu/w400-h300/glof-hit-areas.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>It was surprising (and scary) to see the amount of damage which had been caused by the GLOF alone. In the distant one can see the ITBP colony where the road to Lachen seen on the right ends.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhocxtKcvhrTwCfsXfJzmVIqZxtJc3yqu3H9KcntbOpLgKuWUZzed0I9dBRXiNrZ8PJKsE0DhlXCxTBxU2KRKM2fuWXNFXftDAse8lhgVtGoOp76Taf-KQnae6-G5E4vQOEvGsHEFHSCofhORg4MUalgwA8RYToxwXuk0t_zgtX1yQ9zIy39jwRn0tIYGDe/s2000/GLOF-hit-area-before-Chung.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1498" data-original-width="2000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhocxtKcvhrTwCfsXfJzmVIqZxtJc3yqu3H9KcntbOpLgKuWUZzed0I9dBRXiNrZ8PJKsE0DhlXCxTBxU2KRKM2fuWXNFXftDAse8lhgVtGoOp76Taf-KQnae6-G5E4vQOEvGsHEFHSCofhORg4MUalgwA8RYToxwXuk0t_zgtX1yQ9zIy39jwRn0tIYGDe/w400-h300/GLOF-hit-area-before-Chung.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>The damage caused by only the GLOF from South Lhonak lake is huge as can be seen.This drone image reveals the scouring of the river bed caused by the violent waters just a few kilometers towards Lachen from Chungthang.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqzsY9fDDyJ2siPMe1UfOi3wqWXDamKyAutSg9m0UVgx9uiUiK-5CFOqJGh_-eRk4HFIexwdTY5Vr0nHvVJwR2KhoB76x7grpG4EYakPen8BmpfB_wgCvsRsAwydflGOYBviczRv8716d9eKJVNdQsQe5LlSb7ebI2pZMrjImYIF8TvBSAqbYxYL2gs5IT/s2000/27.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqzsY9fDDyJ2siPMe1UfOi3wqWXDamKyAutSg9m0UVgx9uiUiK-5CFOqJGh_-eRk4HFIexwdTY5Vr0nHvVJwR2KhoB76x7grpG4EYakPen8BmpfB_wgCvsRsAwydflGOYBviczRv8716d9eKJVNdQsQe5LlSb7ebI2pZMrjImYIF8TvBSAqbYxYL2gs5IT/w400-h266/27.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>The impact on Lachen Chu river bed by the GLOF approx 2 km north of Chungthang is seen here. The road to Lachen is only upto the ITBP colony seen in the distant.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkVhjs9kCRvwtQ6w5QV6o2Plp3kA_H835lRC70sQzbGEWr8KJB8datxldyh2KRj_MrhtvRDAlAhU1aIBebuyuZHp3QWk-pMMkgDj0Rj8icUOykxEFVy7ohcwt5WjNlMZ7Wq0wrIVwwmFjCA0glzGKouI67xNCx-eJpvkZKrSX8C-K13_6qVcHALzF8f4Cl/s2000/30.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkVhjs9kCRvwtQ6w5QV6o2Plp3kA_H835lRC70sQzbGEWr8KJB8datxldyh2KRj_MrhtvRDAlAhU1aIBebuyuZHp3QWk-pMMkgDj0Rj8icUOykxEFVy7ohcwt5WjNlMZ7Wq0wrIVwwmFjCA0glzGKouI67xNCx-eJpvkZKrSX8C-K13_6qVcHALzF8f4Cl/w400-h266/30.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Close up of the damage caused by the GLOF alone. A bridge to Lachen has been torn down here (27 36 47.4 N 88 37 47.2 E), further north 2 more bridges have been destroyed by the GLOF, numerous power pylons and towers have been damaged. Army personnel in areas around Lachen reported strong vibrations during the event.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNp7Imp-EoDJ77pdVtYKh5fKacTXvtmdbuQTlx2od0Ne0MMByztDiLodG9m052ZqqxgK_XoAj0wfiaej0UlHpQ9gG8C5Cn7952brAY70DscWxRapXYuQq3DnUtQhwRCyp4yVwhSoM9rdgqy0dkd7Bg2tvV9LQPYVB3vwHc7ofXPnbv24NU0r5IVQ9X1wAa/s2000/Damaged-road-towards-Lachen.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1498" data-original-width="2000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNp7Imp-EoDJ77pdVtYKh5fKacTXvtmdbuQTlx2od0Ne0MMByztDiLodG9m052ZqqxgK_XoAj0wfiaej0UlHpQ9gG8C5Cn7952brAY70DscWxRapXYuQq3DnUtQhwRCyp4yVwhSoM9rdgqy0dkd7Bg2tvV9LQPYVB3vwHc7ofXPnbv24NU0r5IVQ9X1wAa/w400-h300/Damaged-road-towards-Lachen.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>This is where the road to Lachen ends (27 36 42.7 N 88 37 51.4 E) Elev 1705m (Drone image).</span></h4><h4 style="text-align: left;">Impact on Government assets</h4><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Sikkim Government assets located towards the southern tip of Chungthang town were severely damaged by the GLOF<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRy75seRdxohfyUjtabh_1g3H4XzXHtw7ctF0BcqohG0_Y8LlIKD1iUmLZXE0b-xvL8KW5T55Pfk25pkYEkKAEEqYK24r7Io4pUIW7TzDsV3WYbCqEDQOCmZOOv8mErbMjJPOUGuSk9LEjE8NccDxrn29v85aMEx1VG3mYze49gWewATxNlp-isXIF4jvK/s2000/42.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRy75seRdxohfyUjtabh_1g3H4XzXHtw7ctF0BcqohG0_Y8LlIKD1iUmLZXE0b-xvL8KW5T55Pfk25pkYEkKAEEqYK24r7Io4pUIW7TzDsV3WYbCqEDQOCmZOOv8mErbMjJPOUGuSk9LEjE8NccDxrn29v85aMEx1VG3mYze49gWewATxNlp-isXIF4jvK/w400-h266/42.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></span><span style="font-weight: normal;">The Legal cell building at Chungthang on 18Nov2023<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJE1vnHDv25H3lrJEwwqkZhyd74rffxIP8sr8ocPS2Clbvz_zW1TEKU85S82RSa99C2xPObfFI6EijfORIQCS5oaeg5Cuh19rbyrnuGj4ceCk5-2uaVdCGeCcoNHhqGqtmRY9bao4LE_uw3YYKnVh-EgNuCzszIr8NkQCEkIgguoTDA0K49qQXTtavHLfi/s2000/43.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJE1vnHDv25H3lrJEwwqkZhyd74rffxIP8sr8ocPS2Clbvz_zW1TEKU85S82RSa99C2xPObfFI6EijfORIQCS5oaeg5Cuh19rbyrnuGj4ceCk5-2uaVdCGeCcoNHhqGqtmRY9bao4LE_uw3YYKnVh-EgNuCzszIr8NkQCEkIgguoTDA0K49qQXTtavHLfi/w400-h266/43.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>The SIB office at Chungthang.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinuHvLusZtK9zz3tQ5ydm-nH3asOpKK0xcLjsyzYrLd0ChM-PR7I7qnix9u2U5H-FzbQNsURO0D7JGG9tGyUNgTfdfIrjHql07rA5FSidAhXjehG2RFFOVa4WI2uUOhmJuTMGh-DwxOfZVQYuMNpPwevhCcIty3t04BYcdI_k5VZePxbUa_mRvArpLNgxE/s2000/44.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinuHvLusZtK9zz3tQ5ydm-nH3asOpKK0xcLjsyzYrLd0ChM-PR7I7qnix9u2U5H-FzbQNsURO0D7JGG9tGyUNgTfdfIrjHql07rA5FSidAhXjehG2RFFOVa4WI2uUOhmJuTMGh-DwxOfZVQYuMNpPwevhCcIty3t04BYcdI_k5VZePxbUa_mRvArpLNgxE/w400-h266/44.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>The shredded Police Station (Thana) at Chungthang is on the right. A huge truck has been neatly shoved into an office in the thana by the GLOF as if someone had parked it inside. The Chunthang Fire department building, Sikkim Tourism Department guest house has also been extensively damaged in this area.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC7A_CNSZf26fEk0HaDLizI0giBwVnAAhQ1Mmvw53pMrncTqXPCWwHtAvG1dxzJOX9HbnPfzA0E8m_PhZnrRvVKP1lJRFRiqJzSxkBex0IaarsUSIRmNlccxKn0D9F9TGXgxivHYXkq3H_tdu4ow-dRHlkn_o2S-SlgDtnDVj0JLozNoofIENf3VKHGHbk/s2000/14.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC7A_CNSZf26fEk0HaDLizI0giBwVnAAhQ1Mmvw53pMrncTqXPCWwHtAvG1dxzJOX9HbnPfzA0E8m_PhZnrRvVKP1lJRFRiqJzSxkBex0IaarsUSIRmNlccxKn0D9F9TGXgxivHYXkq3H_tdu4ow-dRHlkn_o2S-SlgDtnDVj0JLozNoofIENf3VKHGHbk/w400-h266/14.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>ITBP shacks along the Lachung Chu which were buried by the backflow from the GLOF. This river was otherwise not affected by the event. Notice this river has turned green as it is winters now - surprisingly, the Lachen Chu is still loaded with silt and brownish. A bridge further up was destroyed by the backflow.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMuAXdQCffY5dsuR8nNY4rBVDWQrFQYV3Bcp7exYQ7RXmnomDog-i5ibPu4-jJ6KRhaRcBleaSO7Q5c9iofpBLGucZFvZRAupbQ-u4U3n11i6K4mafRNG31Bsnbu3aRfDjPTnPdOb9GbCQzxY3reIxi77fXHLOfSkKbiUuqVeyb2oSAqca0gwTpfcElSu9/s2000/47.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMuAXdQCffY5dsuR8nNY4rBVDWQrFQYV3Bcp7exYQ7RXmnomDog-i5ibPu4-jJ6KRhaRcBleaSO7Q5c9iofpBLGucZFvZRAupbQ-u4U3n11i6K4mafRNG31Bsnbu3aRfDjPTnPdOb9GbCQzxY3reIxi77fXHLOfSkKbiUuqVeyb2oSAqca0gwTpfcElSu9/w400-h266/47.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>The Chungthang playground and stadium which were deluged by the GLOF. <br />The army lost a lot of assets in this area - fortunately no life was lost.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWSrvKJTTyC1RH_vpAkimKfVlL-UNjH_EkI4CY1-m_nI3KS1efrhVI7Dh1l-e4ybm8CNdo2vd_eD4C43qK1bdvO9w1az1nQBuRJV4CtGNVM_tam3bnKKASoIbsL1ltYdZHDqkZTgjzLPTMXna93FT1KAhihSnNZBnXqKIiLtrv0iE3FgcAvB_ZzzKAKriL/s2000/48.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWSrvKJTTyC1RH_vpAkimKfVlL-UNjH_EkI4CY1-m_nI3KS1efrhVI7Dh1l-e4ybm8CNdo2vd_eD4C43qK1bdvO9w1az1nQBuRJV4CtGNVM_tam3bnKKASoIbsL1ltYdZHDqkZTgjzLPTMXna93FT1KAhihSnNZBnXqKIiLtrv0iE3FgcAvB_ZzzKAKriL/w400-h266/48.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>A rifle rack from the Sikkim Police Station (Thana) with the weapons swept away by the swirling waters, at the dam site.<br />This, along with the loss of army assets adds another dimension to the safety of our riverine areas and even dams.</span></h4><h4 style="text-align: left;">Chungthang town</h4><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">The GLOF of 04Oct2023, left the tiny town of Chungthang on its death throes. The midnight floods affected almost every part of the town and the only sounds audible, when we visited Chungthang on 18Nov2023, were the grinding and clanking of heavy machinery as the residents tried to excavate their homes and get their lives back together. <br />More than 54 RCC buildings and homes were damaged by the floods, many smaller wooden homes and shacks were simply swept away. Also what was lost were countless Buddhist artifacts, monuments and antiques which every affected home had and which the floods snatched away.<br />A school was destroyed in the centre of town.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr4evz9_hkmX7e7PTsOoiweeNOIyAboqKD3lXlH1wzw4T2gU5Rpzm7eIzw8oWAq3COKZdEZzFaQuJ1nDkUIwX_JJVqznYz0K6gzgz5K9A6bxAfe5hwDhQmBdPka82FSFgFeDD7OpgkKfpuj-Ljz45Hu0Peu5DwSe5pTsQsKODLDlOrp2Ezp68TbxgA5nq-/s2000/Chungthang-1aa.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1498" data-original-width="2000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr4evz9_hkmX7e7PTsOoiweeNOIyAboqKD3lXlH1wzw4T2gU5Rpzm7eIzw8oWAq3COKZdEZzFaQuJ1nDkUIwX_JJVqznYz0K6gzgz5K9A6bxAfe5hwDhQmBdPka82FSFgFeDD7OpgkKfpuj-Ljz45Hu0Peu5DwSe5pTsQsKODLDlOrp2Ezp68TbxgA5nq-/w400-h300/Chungthang-1aa.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Drone image of Chungthang town on 18Nov2023, showing the extent of damage by the GLOF.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB8OVpr5SO913Dp54tHJIlU7LBPnRvT93GGFfL-aHZMXEWSUIe06EaQlucCDxekQa0huBCS1uIT7oFV4lVmd6ki8lswb7W5yV-aILs3S8wMmmKwZ89dlV-uJasFAk2AyusoVXdp-0DssutJRnvWUjouVa2F31wiB96RmxiNfgtT9y9Id7V5vPSf3Ana3Xg/s1365/6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="959" data-original-width="1365" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB8OVpr5SO913Dp54tHJIlU7LBPnRvT93GGFfL-aHZMXEWSUIe06EaQlucCDxekQa0huBCS1uIT7oFV4lVmd6ki8lswb7W5yV-aILs3S8wMmmKwZ89dlV-uJasFAk2AyusoVXdp-0DssutJRnvWUjouVa2F31wiB96RmxiNfgtT9y9Id7V5vPSf3Ana3Xg/w400-h281/6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> Satellite image of the above area.<br />On the left, Lachen Chu or the Teesta river flows downstream and a Bailey bridge has been constructed by the army engineers on 16Nov2023 at '<b>A</b>' above which allows some sort normalcy of movement and supplies coming into the town.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5meRjJWCw8Lw8K9s_UAa6BGImiiVRiQD1jdjJL4JY5TgADWIK9V0RJ38tvT6C3nVVadsL_v9YnmQ7C28wCempy9JWeJ47_gzNLZIsTxXugJAPfgQTQ6RL1ZvPDqOjTvQFEfO5ZRW0e8yo3irac8GCRNsSjUUvsXEU0X-NpMAIlQdfYOI3sRzHus7dGySD/s2000/Chungthang.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1498" data-original-width="2000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5meRjJWCw8Lw8K9s_UAa6BGImiiVRiQD1jdjJL4JY5TgADWIK9V0RJ38tvT6C3nVVadsL_v9YnmQ7C28wCempy9JWeJ47_gzNLZIsTxXugJAPfgQTQ6RL1ZvPDqOjTvQFEfO5ZRW0e8yo3irac8GCRNsSjUUvsXEU0X-NpMAIlQdfYOI3sRzHus7dGySD/w400-h300/Chungthang.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Drone image showing the devastation wrought by the GLOF in areas adjacent to the river bank.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigjEO9a0nho6vYCObc5_qSWfBjxM5xas4iCQ9rncXeCa4lprns8AcilRCmcj-Ro4UjYXImyk2kRegPRqpuhy73-6D12BVuLhf8cXouXMcaNf1Y5ptAmx1thlrSbNttW5weG59VNma41CJRtPmhnWtPqxbKA5eY7t9VSYlIL9GwJ-B6ifuYb9OJPKD5tWDH/s2000/Chungthang-town.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1498" data-original-width="2000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigjEO9a0nho6vYCObc5_qSWfBjxM5xas4iCQ9rncXeCa4lprns8AcilRCmcj-Ro4UjYXImyk2kRegPRqpuhy73-6D12BVuLhf8cXouXMcaNf1Y5ptAmx1thlrSbNttW5weG59VNma41CJRtPmhnWtPqxbKA5eY7t9VSYlIL9GwJ-B6ifuYb9OJPKD5tWDH/w400-h300/Chungthang-town.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Drone image from the road to Lachen showing erosion of the river bank adjacent to Chungthang town. In the foreground are areas where there were several army installations.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji2yKQHLzWYQykjriNLxOfKMI0pwVbVOzvj6nu9A1I-hjFqlahZjF8ZZ42FyIdrEZprqaXZ94iGBQlV3DM5kt2S9S_aPTezIcAA9ErLYPkOMtXrtojW5peESt97d27SpNb2DqpolesClnHvqWjb2KZQcqBTmCE177XEYPi-SKx0CM7g9G1UxnXYJ1pxw1D/s1360/3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="962" data-original-width="1360" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji2yKQHLzWYQykjriNLxOfKMI0pwVbVOzvj6nu9A1I-hjFqlahZjF8ZZ42FyIdrEZprqaXZ94iGBQlV3DM5kt2S9S_aPTezIcAA9ErLYPkOMtXrtojW5peESt97d27SpNb2DqpolesClnHvqWjb2KZQcqBTmCE177XEYPi-SKx0CM7g9G1UxnXYJ1pxw1D/w400-h283/3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Satellite image of the playground area of Chungthang town.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivQuTDNXFpnRPV_8vRo-ILgf815Edd2sKpiqRC7Fwdedh7QpRRIdFqUNZAoCbKln9JnUgxu0V1xwFg7Fn-GlkuLfSrwaJIF3crB6WFHRu8eP2YdNRS3teIC3H3fylFj_M1ZEfoPyuhxJAcDZY61bQLQkLR1Fe3Ieif6k_OY2XiJljzPORRgfWmJUaqAi7S/s2000/50.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivQuTDNXFpnRPV_8vRo-ILgf815Edd2sKpiqRC7Fwdedh7QpRRIdFqUNZAoCbKln9JnUgxu0V1xwFg7Fn-GlkuLfSrwaJIF3crB6WFHRu8eP2YdNRS3teIC3H3fylFj_M1ZEfoPyuhxJAcDZY61bQLQkLR1Fe3Ieif6k_OY2XiJljzPORRgfWmJUaqAi7S/w400-h266/50.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>The town on 18Nov2023. Massive rocks are strewn all over and 10-15 feet of sludge plasters much of the town area.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIoy7DJLO0wNa-auUTPWVHzS2cTn0uSjQc0gQuPPXWoxuGX-VEHPWlAypJDufUvMCrX9fxWozFIIvmUAxyMJhAIr2sa-mUw1ekaxS-Y96HSA9taxAKtGKFDEyd_iReGMqc20KZoC_oEEGIM5ZFoC1lp74wq_6HIng0pPMS_keIf5opEnLj26uWDpAsPq7F/s2000/38.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIoy7DJLO0wNa-auUTPWVHzS2cTn0uSjQc0gQuPPXWoxuGX-VEHPWlAypJDufUvMCrX9fxWozFIIvmUAxyMJhAIr2sa-mUw1ekaxS-Y96HSA9taxAKtGKFDEyd_iReGMqc20KZoC_oEEGIM5ZFoC1lp74wq_6HIng0pPMS_keIf5opEnLj26uWDpAsPq7F/w400-h266/38.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>An army truck has been parked inside a room by the GLOF. Notice the level to which the flood waters reached.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaV_2NBEAPaxidLjW5Er7-01jJbunIuelUERKs_Vly2BU9THgL1DcEywfghlTfUGykn9t_bpcm2Im4d3Ou1gcJyAlOJpg_27Qejk585fxrt7myWrCrRhRevzUBLFY21U7GuRkM6q8iiViQK220NjtWV6mGQcYHYt3efL1rWL7Z8MLPK56rtELz648r2yj6/s2000/24.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaV_2NBEAPaxidLjW5Er7-01jJbunIuelUERKs_Vly2BU9THgL1DcEywfghlTfUGykn9t_bpcm2Im4d3Ou1gcJyAlOJpg_27Qejk585fxrt7myWrCrRhRevzUBLFY21U7GuRkM6q8iiViQK220NjtWV6mGQcYHYt3efL1rWL7Z8MLPK56rtELz648r2yj6/w400-h266/24.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Chungthang on 18Nov2023. <br />The gilded dome of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gurdwara_Nanaklama" target="_blank">Gurudwara Nanak Lama Sahib</a> is seen in the background. <br />The Gurudwara and its staff provided and continues to provide extraordinary service to the denizens of Chungthang. The ground floor of the Gurudwara was inundated by the GLOF and the staff evacuated temporarily to return quickly and provide food and shelter to thousands of people. While we were in Chungthang, 70 odd homeless people were staying in the complex and everyday 3 - 4000 meals were being provided to anyone who wanted food.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9RITMvjnNBxnHnICRKYtdNQoGvF7Os18VPZOT7nBq9C5Zin2bcSDUQ-2CIBzJAzq1e4G9qgFCCAaAy87W3JGTFJPXMW52vKHFXL5RlaCSixOCB6mmBWuesvdYsz7cz-impfzEfgkxqvcn2q7gK7g_HxWrKBiDln0CzMvnrzmMTYTNIcVB1xVqhe2H5vvP/s2000/Lhendup1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="2000" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9RITMvjnNBxnHnICRKYtdNQoGvF7Os18VPZOT7nBq9C5Zin2bcSDUQ-2CIBzJAzq1e4G9qgFCCAaAy87W3JGTFJPXMW52vKHFXL5RlaCSixOCB6mmBWuesvdYsz7cz-impfzEfgkxqvcn2q7gK7g_HxWrKBiDln0CzMvnrzmMTYTNIcVB1xVqhe2H5vvP/w400-h225/Lhendup1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Photo of 05Oct2023 showing removal of sludge and debris in front of the Gurudwara at Chunthang (Photo credit: Lhendup Lepcha)<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0WKJ9IrOARL530rU_TYqbPbk_k_WPDe_ucTRGxG_mMNM-QuaukccxPIvkzzBN-hZg8VEH6Tnfg13veNoNXouo1Q9_d62kbMVMD7Q_Me554ci6sNBSRieQ4jjfNsylTf0I_lFehMQ3y_U5Einnv77tbPMqALhJq4MxRCqEnSqHumoMIGIJtmJ-LvysYmyG/s2000/47.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0WKJ9IrOARL530rU_TYqbPbk_k_WPDe_ucTRGxG_mMNM-QuaukccxPIvkzzBN-hZg8VEH6Tnfg13veNoNXouo1Q9_d62kbMVMD7Q_Me554ci6sNBSRieQ4jjfNsylTf0I_lFehMQ3y_U5Einnv77tbPMqALhJq4MxRCqEnSqHumoMIGIJtmJ-LvysYmyG/w400-h266/47.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Officials of the Sikkim Government conducting a survey on losses to homes and property at Chungthang. They said government engineers were also testing the structural stability of damaged buildings. With much of the town in ruins, this process will take some time to complete.</span></h4><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span>The Rivers and the Environment <br /></span></h4><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaqJx19d9k2_ZnkhsWZvVTvA5qUmP45080uuYIGepGuLUxZnRpWNl-LB6_Tm6P-UhCiiXaVSuCOYFM7HINPBY6wr_UrQyI09cI0d24NxpYBYU1aZnZpWc1-bun5V5XRdX3yTy6l3LhC4DdRu75EQfToOiwYsErIGe9r6PQEQbAir2eKiXPEWRbUUYA93CX/s2000/Lhendup.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="2000" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaqJx19d9k2_ZnkhsWZvVTvA5qUmP45080uuYIGepGuLUxZnRpWNl-LB6_Tm6P-UhCiiXaVSuCOYFM7HINPBY6wr_UrQyI09cI0d24NxpYBYU1aZnZpWc1-bun5V5XRdX3yTy6l3LhC4DdRu75EQfToOiwYsErIGe9r6PQEQbAir2eKiXPEWRbUUYA93CX/w400-h225/Lhendup.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Photo of 05Oct2023 shows a gap where there was a double lane concrete bridge over the Teesta at Chungthang. It was taken down by the GLOF. (Photo credit: Lhendup Lepcha).<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0yc7UKEvItcVcKa0kN0O_ujmLyaFGSZoOR1L0e7T9VSwroA5j2d297r6AQ1a9ivJlR-y4Z1hwSyzEcZoWXnTwZcrUSg_RQ_CdweMvVa0Kzuvkob9_m7JNdv8gpqxzQ4TZ554wnFs5y9bjWohsgzTaBPBbzZ7g3WEn4M07dtNrG0pkEioFz7IrtOBBhrU6/s2000/48.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0yc7UKEvItcVcKa0kN0O_ujmLyaFGSZoOR1L0e7T9VSwroA5j2d297r6AQ1a9ivJlR-y4Z1hwSyzEcZoWXnTwZcrUSg_RQ_CdweMvVa0Kzuvkob9_m7JNdv8gpqxzQ4TZ554wnFs5y9bjWohsgzTaBPBbzZ7g3WEn4M07dtNrG0pkEioFz7IrtOBBhrU6/w400-h266/48.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>A tiny bamboo bridge over the Teesta for ferrying men and material before the current Bailey bridge (below) was completed by army engineers.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf_h_a5uSn1tDN1IRqlui6TBef_hyM_R9oVEJf0SvjkwFhhfMoxrmdK57Dq3k4aDdbBENSW_yFn0TLyYOllPwHu7aoOIpxhnSAKip3dbUFUqjjE5-0bl7oDUTDmMeQ1TPEVA9PS2AgN8qS0YokQbBKlZbtFo1lnlHnr__CQrlOgYgpnHXAomWtSLQ7UU23/s2000/45.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf_h_a5uSn1tDN1IRqlui6TBef_hyM_R9oVEJf0SvjkwFhhfMoxrmdK57Dq3k4aDdbBENSW_yFn0TLyYOllPwHu7aoOIpxhnSAKip3dbUFUqjjE5-0bl7oDUTDmMeQ1TPEVA9PS2AgN8qS0YokQbBKlZbtFo1lnlHnr__CQrlOgYgpnHXAomWtSLQ7UU23/w400-h266/45.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Photo of 18Nov2023 shows a bridge across the same spot, which army engineers put across the Teesta on 16Nov2023..<br />The armed forces have always taken a lead role in helping out in all disasters and so it was in Chungthang in Oct2023 where they were instrumental in providing warning, evacuating tourists and saving lives and the civilians in Chungthang I talked to gratefully acknowledged this.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSUxsJiE7BMvz2clGaH-zDN_vjI5e_gEGpfDc2lCfsOgAbnaA363xJYfHu2t4vG-DpNjx7gd889Y4PnxOXfceXhEJY4mC_NGY__9Yxcrndihuk8lWcc5U3dTXkWlV2HwruX4T0Y1u2WH7f1djRn_-VdFe7qjn2kBfsKoko2SzaI53F8bUzPkqi0ae3Mssd/s2000/Lhendup3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1126" data-original-width="2000" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSUxsJiE7BMvz2clGaH-zDN_vjI5e_gEGpfDc2lCfsOgAbnaA363xJYfHu2t4vG-DpNjx7gd889Y4PnxOXfceXhEJY4mC_NGY__9Yxcrndihuk8lWcc5U3dTXkWlV2HwruX4T0Y1u2WH7f1djRn_-VdFe7qjn2kBfsKoko2SzaI53F8bUzPkqi0ae3Mssd/w400-h225/Lhendup3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Photo of 07Oct2023 showing army/BRO/ITBP/ and other people trying to put a ropeway across the Teesta at Chungthang.The river was again in spate and there was light rain as such the effort was abandoned.(Photo credit: Lhendup Lepcha)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvAdPpROtvFuzVBFYXOeu3QTbB8FcRa43rcMe4sDh7jB5rqDdWf22SmAR3fnJKduYqWZNWAv6oZNlK2sCpX0LzXZ9e8QHvD4jI_q8Al6olX3cyEdIQSDI__TsvvFmxEln9jHqPig3k5G_72tnLW7obmyzuDZjAXB22aETdBYlSlDyUfE0ENQHk_wSVmnOO/s2000/Lhendup5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="2000" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvAdPpROtvFuzVBFYXOeu3QTbB8FcRa43rcMe4sDh7jB5rqDdWf22SmAR3fnJKduYqWZNWAv6oZNlK2sCpX0LzXZ9e8QHvD4jI_q8Al6olX3cyEdIQSDI__TsvvFmxEln9jHqPig3k5G_72tnLW7obmyzuDZjAXB22aETdBYlSlDyUfE0ENQHk_wSVmnOO/w400-h225/Lhendup5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Heavy road construction machines and men of the BRO working on the road towards Lachen. <br />(Photo credit: Lhendup Lepcha)<br /><br />The completion of repair of the Chungthang - Lachen road may take anywhere from 3 - 6 months and right now Lachen is connected to Zema and Thangu only by a temporary bridge. The people of these areas will require extensive help to face the harsh winters ahead.<br /><br />All in all, I am amazed at the scale and ferocity of nature's revenge.<br /><br />My humble thanks to all who helped.<br /><br />Praful Rao<br />Kalimpong district<br />Darjeeling-Sikkim Himalaya<br />savethehills@gmail.com<br />9475033744<br /><br />with<br /><br />Praveen Chhetri<br />Junkeri Studios, <br />Kalimpong<br />junkeristudio@gmail.com<br />9733185815</span><br /></h4><p></p>SaveTheHillshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02683050982473682760noreply@blogger.com0Chungthang, Sikkim 737120, India27.6039119 88.646444899999992-0.70632193617884553 53.490194899999992 55.914145736178845 123.80269489999999tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3323953779460457291.post-33756537132526371982023-11-24T18:40:00.001+05:302023-11-27T12:09:14.433+05:30Photographic record of the impact of 04Oct2023 GLOF between Sangkalang and Toong ( North Sikkim) -18Nov2023. <p>The main road (NH310A) from Mangan to Chungthang (29kms) is blocked near
Naga and the bridge at Toong has been swept away, as such now the only
road to Chungthang is as shown in <span style="color: red;">RED </span>below which is 40kms long and takes double the time (ie 2hrs).<br />We made this trip in the early hours of 18Nov2023, leaving Dzongu at 4.30am so that we could spend the whole day covering Chungthang and its vicinity (that will be covered in the subsequent blog).<br />This blog only records the GLOF disaster at Naga, Ritchu and Toong villages in the Teesta valley, in Mangan, North Sikkim and on NH310A. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtxC-vHFJ2wATAQMh9obR2pDc0_cDKl9f1UvFm3neN1_qmtPVRSnP4fa2LPyUYUMcoQVrkREMYHjDBXq2u3QPPVuL8Qz9Viir5-M-Nb8dVTy6Vh4cvXxMzvZOpFdlaFBFug7BMOZ7sGaU9NS_1N0u52Aq-cBbD8CxzoJeGjoDP0_xxgC9DEIppVEsGPaVr/s2048/map2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtxC-vHFJ2wATAQMh9obR2pDc0_cDKl9f1UvFm3neN1_qmtPVRSnP4fa2LPyUYUMcoQVrkREMYHjDBXq2u3QPPVuL8Qz9Viir5-M-Nb8dVTy6Vh4cvXxMzvZOpFdlaFBFug7BMOZ7sGaU9NS_1N0u52Aq-cBbD8CxzoJeGjoDP0_xxgC9DEIppVEsGPaVr/w391-h400/map2.jpg" width="391" /></a></div><p></p><h4 style="text-align: left;">The alternate route to Chungthang<br /><span style="font-weight: normal;">Prior to starting a steep climb, one encounters this bridge (27 31 33.5 N 88 31 40.6) Elev 483m/1564', over the pristine and beautiful Kanaka river. See Praveen's drone image below.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXfTHl_sF88yJFQ2qDZwTqngjZxI6lE1BG4HZOcUV6FJ6Onf8yhZRADnyz8D0Q1foLanmYQIZhF-eX9XtkDjqmt9R2hmOYX0s6GKabZ9ZYGCvQotUcPrZ1NBjc1Ki_Lwrylle16ig_uM017-lnu8QNEIWn2hhQiV60VI-BvLS61h0r2OhwiKQOeXDtBN71/s2000/1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1498" data-original-width="2000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXfTHl_sF88yJFQ2qDZwTqngjZxI6lE1BG4HZOcUV6FJ6Onf8yhZRADnyz8D0Q1foLanmYQIZhF-eX9XtkDjqmt9R2hmOYX0s6GKabZ9ZYGCvQotUcPrZ1NBjc1Ki_Lwrylle16ig_uM017-lnu8QNEIWn2hhQiV60VI-BvLS61h0r2OhwiKQOeXDtBN71/w400-h300/1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Thereafter, the road snakes up in a series of 45 bends at the bottom of the hill and climbs to an altitude of almost 7000'. At places the road is very narrow, hewn out of bare rock with the road edge perilously close..an accident here would mean a fall into a gorge several thousand feet deep and sure death.<br />This is definitely not a road suitable for heavy vehicles and traffic, being steep, narrow at places and even dangerous.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1nWtOzi9XJSP-W1rT3tQxnFd4NBGdYUAHcjDoduyBW4eaf_bSinAkOCP6ZWzYDmjfWxBPIF1QI_NpV94EWPh9-eq42jzZNRAup0QoFnzmXrkAMAoVxmuPZbx_2tkWy3xic3iyyzUBD1TJmlW5Y5E1yd5eiZItybnllybGuxx2XROE_ESVjz6v59hz1bkP/s2000/2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1nWtOzi9XJSP-W1rT3tQxnFd4NBGdYUAHcjDoduyBW4eaf_bSinAkOCP6ZWzYDmjfWxBPIF1QI_NpV94EWPh9-eq42jzZNRAup0QoFnzmXrkAMAoVxmuPZbx_2tkWy3xic3iyyzUBD1TJmlW5Y5E1yd5eiZItybnllybGuxx2XROE_ESVjz6v59hz1bkP/w400-h266/2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>The army does not allow their vehicles to ply on this route.<br />After driving on this route for an hour plus we came across areas in the Teesta valley and opposite hill which showed the scars of the GLOF and dam burst on 04Oct2023. <br /><b><br />Destruction in Ritchu and Naga village </b>(27.548536N 88.643017E)</span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><b>, Mangan district.</b></span></h4><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Drone images by Praveen of affected areas around Naga village (Mangan district), North Sikkim </span><span style="font-weight: normal;">are given below:<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSOJxZtLdGbM6aCFo44Det1-0T6zv5U6h7DjnS_iT2KVwBseOSosMbni6aD15GtlV24p1hjn2KikZ-h67aIOF9rWsiPx5wpDzR8CtYEP_FuIMfRPs_98gkgZ_BQshoG49NQryADTrc0Nvaa_InMtooIpPrASv4zlDFUTqdFhom9WivfapXHYOAh1hP-2L3/s2000/3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1498" data-original-width="2000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSOJxZtLdGbM6aCFo44Det1-0T6zv5U6h7DjnS_iT2KVwBseOSosMbni6aD15GtlV24p1hjn2KikZ-h67aIOF9rWsiPx5wpDzR8CtYEP_FuIMfRPs_98gkgZ_BQshoG49NQryADTrc0Nvaa_InMtooIpPrASv4zlDFUTqdFhom9WivfapXHYOAh1hP-2L3/w400-h300/3.jpg" width="400" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG7hB9nRZMtA1ZpPCzRW2FiAHCOcuNqDA9_0lkBv7F890XNXf0HBklrT0-ouLd2YsychdcFJR9heFdM3EVtcMvgzi2rGV4gtuKCw69oIZFLriEwcTGDGjcw1v7b31QEzzm0GnI7kgVFuM1tJiSdBY5yEirEXcDfBDTvFEQDYqA6gT60qW2VIEK5vnw8iSl/s2000/4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1498" data-original-width="2000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG7hB9nRZMtA1ZpPCzRW2FiAHCOcuNqDA9_0lkBv7F890XNXf0HBklrT0-ouLd2YsychdcFJR9heFdM3EVtcMvgzi2rGV4gtuKCw69oIZFLriEwcTGDGjcw1v7b31QEzzm0GnI7kgVFuM1tJiSdBY5yEirEXcDfBDTvFEQDYqA6gT60qW2VIEK5vnw8iSl/w400-h300/4.jpg" width="400" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp4ILd7WHPU_akwJVr14AzK5UEJU0_W0NXeJEKPfzKM9lOSEu2g1KcQBnF-7imRV6OS1UbAX6KVGjoLht9ITuqSggk0cAuc2N0le2tmiQbqh7jBOusSIpo7semaVS-lttBB0cA_hTa3fWa6L6U0_iOLZLXG0jwXOBkunqaVOHuaJaYY0dvR8u0olhQHhyx/s2000/5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1498" data-original-width="2000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp4ILd7WHPU_akwJVr14AzK5UEJU0_W0NXeJEKPfzKM9lOSEu2g1KcQBnF-7imRV6OS1UbAX6KVGjoLht9ITuqSggk0cAuc2N0le2tmiQbqh7jBOusSIpo7semaVS-lttBB0cA_hTa3fWa6L6U0_iOLZLXG0jwXOBkunqaVOHuaJaYY0dvR8u0olhQHhyx/w400-h300/5.jpg" width="400" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBZqANYZ_HAtzPBrH5FwWtjMbrw7mMKsulj0Wjg8Hv1ZC5nlGa1dAxiEB8FoET93Qa_hbDW5Uf9EIpPWcgODBG6DbrxU0j3H74oS7NfADaZz668CYtBNSselRNGsd0gLl0QjDKWDS3rfAMtbFcefIq02kns9AZ5-3jYClbkvV7eeclsBcDh4VCX9cwZOme/s2000/6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1498" data-original-width="2000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBZqANYZ_HAtzPBrH5FwWtjMbrw7mMKsulj0Wjg8Hv1ZC5nlGa1dAxiEB8FoET93Qa_hbDW5Uf9EIpPWcgODBG6DbrxU0j3H74oS7NfADaZz668CYtBNSselRNGsd0gLl0QjDKWDS3rfAMtbFcefIq02kns9AZ5-3jYClbkvV7eeclsBcDh4VCX9cwZOme/w400-h300/6.jpg" width="400" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZek9CqfdAYbs6Sys6SFfeBOUwiWQrvrs3sjEvPQTSwLlpDziTpyXTVzQ5t_PT1pTVHmoPVgYzvxfsJDhNUAd_1QYOmGkMt5Y6WFk7y4mf4T9ADM5g_0VDQcGZ_Kv2mQdqosdUVSSWnNo8chxjBMyA7KpVLa2Gfe0Kze3nUOd2zHIJMdYhrPksJ40NoM96/s2000/7.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1498" data-original-width="2000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZek9CqfdAYbs6Sys6SFfeBOUwiWQrvrs3sjEvPQTSwLlpDziTpyXTVzQ5t_PT1pTVHmoPVgYzvxfsJDhNUAd_1QYOmGkMt5Y6WFk7y4mf4T9ADM5g_0VDQcGZ_Kv2mQdqosdUVSSWnNo8chxjBMyA7KpVLa2Gfe0Kze3nUOd2zHIJMdYhrPksJ40NoM96/w400-h300/7.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Telephoto images of the same area are below<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzzCp4foYp2YN41_4gdhZ5KvihP50eEr_lhck2GF_buQByjP6gOXVJ3eeHpDS6RIoV23QmQMpXAquDCHKskVgu_MfPm0a7CmEj-KI4-GJBb72qxloRNY4lloas-YbwY6xU3FYe1SKHcd_8ovjn3bBE2BW-h2n-zMpGUW-o8apP7E-Ri1wclN76WkP97a2U/s2000/8me.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1334" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzzCp4foYp2YN41_4gdhZ5KvihP50eEr_lhck2GF_buQByjP6gOXVJ3eeHpDS6RIoV23QmQMpXAquDCHKskVgu_MfPm0a7CmEj-KI4-GJBb72qxloRNY4lloas-YbwY6xU3FYe1SKHcd_8ovjn3bBE2BW-h2n-zMpGUW-o8apP7E-Ri1wclN76WkP97a2U/w400-h266/8me.jpg" width="400" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw58HqVWb5nGtXRAU3K0Pj6X5TtyUA3UbSeUYPlPvoUd34WHfw3KWsGBBdShn_gMgydR3c9xTrVgOpdvldeNbxCCEDfe_STYNu4PLmgsLxPZh0ye3RKxqr4xoCHb4BSbrMH6p1SVNC6_SgZBhcbaprMIFjF1klU_fnyVZuOWmQTsIo6TJEPhqtIpdbpsIj/s2000/a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1334" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw58HqVWb5nGtXRAU3K0Pj6X5TtyUA3UbSeUYPlPvoUd34WHfw3KWsGBBdShn_gMgydR3c9xTrVgOpdvldeNbxCCEDfe_STYNu4PLmgsLxPZh0ye3RKxqr4xoCHb4BSbrMH6p1SVNC6_SgZBhcbaprMIFjF1klU_fnyVZuOWmQTsIo6TJEPhqtIpdbpsIj/w400-h266/a.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">These photos were taken from (27 32 58.9 N 88 37 48.3 E). There was a lot of haze in the atmosphere hence the discoloration in the photos.<br />As per Phurkit Lepcha of Shipgyer (village enroute to Chungthang), whom we interviewed - these landslides in the village of Ritchu or Bong (in Toong-Naga GP, Mangan district) did not take place during the GLOF (04Oct) but took place gradually on the 05Oct2023 and thereafter. She expressed apprehension about the survival of these areas in the next year.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I spoke to Dusung Lepcha (31yrs), at Toong village a little later who said that almost the whole village of Ritchu was severely damaged and the destruction at Naga was also immense.<br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>GLOF impact at Toong village </b>(27 33 3.3 N 88 38 38.8 E), 1351m.<br />We decided to cover the damage at Toong village while on our way upto to Chungthang since it was still early in the morning. <br />The road to Toong, itself is badly damaged with a major landslide and several large cracks on the road.<br />We arrived at Toong after crossing the large Theeng tunnel on NH310A.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg42uYl4NEHSE99RDXOn2Rg0Sw1vByvCfetdTWOyVMWHJlJgQ0cv0bzmxjYNLlzcfwzHtWPecGm56nAFR7onaEq6AUlA19rnJEmknu0GMrNaJMpaaYFT1vN4JiicnITV6WQR9OjATs6zkjjxNAqMDTZnbXW2kZKs_nGCJgeDYX3Q3oSvZiWDtpMmtEdKeTS/s2000/Theeng.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg42uYl4NEHSE99RDXOn2Rg0Sw1vByvCfetdTWOyVMWHJlJgQ0cv0bzmxjYNLlzcfwzHtWPecGm56nAFR7onaEq6AUlA19rnJEmknu0GMrNaJMpaaYFT1vN4JiicnITV6WQR9OjATs6zkjjxNAqMDTZnbXW2kZKs_nGCJgeDYX3Q3oSvZiWDtpMmtEdKeTS/w400-h266/Theeng.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Toong lies in the Teesta valley on NH310A or the highway connecting Mangan to Chungthang. <br />As per locals, the GLOF hit Toong at around 12.30am on 04Oct2023 and took down the bridge at that time. They said villages further downstream ie Ritchu and Naga had also been badly damaged but the only way to get there was crossing the river on a small bamboo bridge on foot.<br /><span style="font-weight: normal;">Sikkim
Police had a check post here which was abandoned and lay hanging near the river's edge.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSj2-Z7xsD2XrcqeBu5lDW-5Kn6xAoUDkhOPTL9X-5fsb7qW-wmagHHewDOLF6uUtew1a0tH0IexEt6yo4m_TxCXcMCOw88fNdCibHUvbOhHQN3B7FQb7oM7iQz1uOT4LhYZFbPtcIWZJsoDSCJFwziwJMCGPNERu4dUgM01w8WYmdaqoHIxiurwp0Z4z4/s2000/T3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSj2-Z7xsD2XrcqeBu5lDW-5Kn6xAoUDkhOPTL9X-5fsb7qW-wmagHHewDOLF6uUtew1a0tH0IexEt6yo4m_TxCXcMCOw88fNdCibHUvbOhHQN3B7FQb7oM7iQz1uOT4LhYZFbPtcIWZJsoDSCJFwziwJMCGPNERu4dUgM01w8WYmdaqoHIxiurwp0Z4z4/w400-h266/T3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbK4Mtw7EZ4vg06o36jUI-pNPGMaqRx51XN11i_qRRVIQoGXOKpC0QaXEWrbsj4exg6fovbFZtxJgzac1MwkS8vuXU98TDpdaqEdz9HSCwQ0Vv8ZDZ8nyGR-aZZYNqJ6q069v8BXiEH-3nWodJUXnY_74IRurvW2nZb0jA-CpK_cYUwtkTZumVtsmNNuff/s2000/T2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbK4Mtw7EZ4vg06o36jUI-pNPGMaqRx51XN11i_qRRVIQoGXOKpC0QaXEWrbsj4exg6fovbFZtxJgzac1MwkS8vuXU98TDpdaqEdz9HSCwQ0Vv8ZDZ8nyGR-aZZYNqJ6q069v8BXiEH-3nWodJUXnY_74IRurvW2nZb0jA-CpK_cYUwtkTZumVtsmNNuff/w400-h266/T2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Sikkim Police check post, destroyed by the GLOF on 04Oct2023 lies deserted at Toong.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMF4ozlJj7Iavq-597wwz7iUNFbJy6wE_OCc71TwIIJutyb6TRg9jDnD5fX5vywdgF9W0NWv1sZudg9ICDykYnZRjQqoedZqyQG77zJfsucbnU7eA-I5-M9gtXgc-f5GlYx8yi3ZtPsl7fbUyDbcjF1V0ySrT-_e7_70Q69SsLWMQ7InTz1GUGiRa3hT2X/s2000/Naga-bridge.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1498" data-original-width="2000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMF4ozlJj7Iavq-597wwz7iUNFbJy6wE_OCc71TwIIJutyb6TRg9jDnD5fX5vywdgF9W0NWv1sZudg9ICDykYnZRjQqoedZqyQG77zJfsucbnU7eA-I5-M9gtXgc-f5GlYx8yi3ZtPsl7fbUyDbcjF1V0ySrT-_e7_70Q69SsLWMQ7InTz1GUGiRa3hT2X/w400-h300/Naga-bridge.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> Drone image (by Praveen) of the destroyed bridge across the Teesta at Toong. This bridge on NH310A which is more suitable for heavy traffic, connected Mangan (North Sikkim district HQ.) to Chungthang and other areas in North Sikkim. <br />A local person I spoke to here said that they had lost a lot here and was also not sure of the plight of hundreds of workers who were working on a defense road across the bridge.<br />Again, there is a frantic effort to rebuild this bridge and to repair the damaged areas of NH310A before the monsoons since the other roadway is definitely not suitable.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7V2P-XSpqV4DdCsZ-i_gqoRYCwD8uKzePdHEWFedgs-vOJHTigGh-P5bp1X_XYj2plWlHmlXJvIiP-SWnsnng2y1L5rdxAUTm5_3XbhRAx2OTZ4qehz82hnl9kOz7kMfrfMwzqsuN9yj-9g3l6_ZP6ISX9ASRJhkvBNvy3O8SFNXFiWrotBrHjpsyKxah/s2000/Toong.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7V2P-XSpqV4DdCsZ-i_gqoRYCwD8uKzePdHEWFedgs-vOJHTigGh-P5bp1X_XYj2plWlHmlXJvIiP-SWnsnng2y1L5rdxAUTm5_3XbhRAx2OTZ4qehz82hnl9kOz7kMfrfMwzqsuN9yj-9g3l6_ZP6ISX9ASRJhkvBNvy3O8SFNXFiWrotBrHjpsyKxah/w400-h266/Toong.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Close - up of the destroyed bridge across the Teesta at Toong. The bridge was taken down by the GLOF and dam burst on 04Oct2023. Now one has to cross the Teesta on the tiny bamboo bridge to reach villages across the river.<br /><br />My thanks to all those we spoke to and all those who helped.<br /><br />Praful Rao<br />Kalimpong district<br />Darjeeling -Sikkim Himalaya<br />savethehills@gmail.com<br />9475033744<br />with<br />Praveen Chhetri<br />Junkeri Studio<br />Kalimpong<br />junkeristudio@gmail.com<br />9733185815</span></div></div></div></div></div></span></h4>SaveTheHillshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02683050982473682760noreply@blogger.com0Mangan, Sikkim 737116, India27.4978787 88.5347783-0.81235513617884436 53.3785283 55.808112536178847 123.6910283tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3323953779460457291.post-51895136091161460182023-11-22T21:48:00.001+05:302023-11-22T21:48:46.206+05:30 Photographic record of the impact of 04Oct2023 GLOF at Fidang and Sangkalang (Dzongu region of North Sikkim) -17Nov2023.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Our visit to survey disaster affected areas in North Sikkim on 17Nov2023, involved driving thru Dikchu then Fidang and Sankalang. <br />We have already reported on the impact of the GLOF and dam burst at Dikchu <a href="http://savethehills.blogspot.com/2023/11/photographic-record-part-ii-of-impact.html" target="_blank">here</a>. The impact of the disaster at Fidang and Sankalang is documented below:<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV-Ixwbe7ydr4Z3j1roPDCIjfwOQ7z9f5HA1EGTgHfmlH8wNkPBHMPU5ti6_Spe430YvAHKlp53-IQ3XPqI_MESX8xdWi03CHh22Pov3zYNiq7Z1cnvNf8DCVTATDAvu1blX_yUveZ1e7sOwhCNd-0XBViWxbh-Z3-3qCRnhP29ac_JVXDVYFZ1oYXpM9w/s1271/Map4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="847" data-original-width="1271" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV-Ixwbe7ydr4Z3j1roPDCIjfwOQ7z9f5HA1EGTgHfmlH8wNkPBHMPU5ti6_Spe430YvAHKlp53-IQ3XPqI_MESX8xdWi03CHh22Pov3zYNiq7Z1cnvNf8DCVTATDAvu1blX_yUveZ1e7sOwhCNd-0XBViWxbh-Z3-3qCRnhP29ac_JVXDVYFZ1oYXpM9w/w400-h266/Map4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p><b>FIDANG </b><span style="font-weight: normal;">(27 24 36.7 N 88 30 58.8 E) in Lower Dzongu.<br /></span><span style="font-weight: normal;">Fidang
is</span><span style="font-weight: normal;"> a short distance from Dikchu and</span><span style="font-weight: normal;"> enroute to Sankalang (and Chungthang). Here two bridges to Lower Dzongu were swept away along with 5 homes (as per locals). Images of Fidang on 17Nov2023, when we were on our way to Sankalang are shown below.<br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggneAmXD12T3Qgp9jNAHu3cqjm4Koad9ro__VaR2-NWyIH1Oz4Ud6sUeQS9iJOslD0aZ-NR6I0N7rnVN8E-JikrlIpp7DmtF9pGQRytw7YQBOe5guJ1YeEeQW6YARzoRM0UOQ3FGCMyYHtU7OYQKad6o1AOhvCoUYONXrw0Krmgxw68Sf65V5zwekjNf4i/s2000/Fidang1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggneAmXD12T3Qgp9jNAHu3cqjm4Koad9ro__VaR2-NWyIH1Oz4Ud6sUeQS9iJOslD0aZ-NR6I0N7rnVN8E-JikrlIpp7DmtF9pGQRytw7YQBOe5guJ1YeEeQW6YARzoRM0UOQ3FGCMyYHtU7OYQKad6o1AOhvCoUYONXrw0Krmgxw68Sf65V5zwekjNf4i/w400-h266/Fidang1.jpg" width="400" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKedZ19IDvlS2paxzyDRpXMv5YARlqH2zK_XQxGhkO76-rYVsWUmoQvVm5vm5mNBJGv277_ugaeDgA7StPGCdsBBBu5zLxZ967V2tiu3QYngVhPL8zQ8Ogb-vEAcuZPtYajKSTkvO_jm_UOcZWUsV20jaXWK2uX4ChUMoDHRz05h_Y5jxpIeJAatxkdBJD/s2000/Fidang.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKedZ19IDvlS2paxzyDRpXMv5YARlqH2zK_XQxGhkO76-rYVsWUmoQvVm5vm5mNBJGv277_ugaeDgA7StPGCdsBBBu5zLxZ967V2tiu3QYngVhPL8zQ8Ogb-vEAcuZPtYajKSTkvO_jm_UOcZWUsV20jaXWK2uX4ChUMoDHRz05h_Y5jxpIeJAatxkdBJD/w400-h266/Fidang.jpg" width="400" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6S31CnDqGyI9ouy2BQptG696u9jsA4gIwMR8Vr7O4rXucBIm-jZRw7FsMUYkbfNJdMKo5K2z5_kKjIq3Z0lPdM_1LajU-cFjdiUKEWNSxh7Dh_oEs_nPe60vrzVhUUPEfQ37YBjwkh3CqRuCyOVp3_r_BtJ97l77QNKsRUkUt4WXTLR4Bhk388G2B2REY/s2000/Mandarin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1051" data-original-width="2000" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6S31CnDqGyI9ouy2BQptG696u9jsA4gIwMR8Vr7O4rXucBIm-jZRw7FsMUYkbfNJdMKo5K2z5_kKjIq3Z0lPdM_1LajU-cFjdiUKEWNSxh7Dh_oEs_nPe60vrzVhUUPEfQ37YBjwkh3CqRuCyOVp3_r_BtJ97l77QNKsRUkUt4WXTLR4Bhk388G2B2REY/w400-h210/Mandarin.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>The Mandarine Retreat, Fidang (Lower Dzongu) in better times<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwTLAM6nnv0a9StvWhnOU_BjWMWWv2HcVmrG7ezOPtIpjz0ziE3FBEPZ9Lxj3aoRq9LMs-AxWUSYeZomJPdm9zvOg3KVvwtSuPtYwMbUE1IrJfpSKIoZ_s1R6Jz7a_pCdYUOlvtlfQTvjCCcGWrh6NRbOWapR5CHgKjSS0EKFdgSKHxrbgHudRRog_VR2x/s2000/Mandarin1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwTLAM6nnv0a9StvWhnOU_BjWMWWv2HcVmrG7ezOPtIpjz0ziE3FBEPZ9Lxj3aoRq9LMs-AxWUSYeZomJPdm9zvOg3KVvwtSuPtYwMbUE1IrJfpSKIoZ_s1R6Jz7a_pCdYUOlvtlfQTvjCCcGWrh6NRbOWapR5CHgKjSS0EKFdgSKHxrbgHudRRog_VR2x/w400-h266/Mandarin1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>The Mandarine Retreat on 17Nov2023</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><b>Sangkalang </b>(27 30 34.4 N 88 31 34.8 E) Elev 768.8m<br />Sangkalang
village lies in the Teesta valley, </span><span style="font-weight: normal;">almost directly below Mangan (HQ of North SIkkim district) and is a vital place for road communications. Here the bridge got
washed away and now one has to drive on the Teesta river bed and
cross the river on two Bailey bridges constructed by the army engineers
in order to reach Dzongu, and North Sikkim.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2UNaob5OTnW56URC1RB2_yx_CrJUw_KN-HTQAGfZtaYK-m8LmoGVZyBMRoTVJoYRSZCDMRQOPQylHANXqUNaJ3O0EbtJYFHaAnQMsTJT6WQx11WrnmzVfE9N1lap0muC16vEHhDBjhu8teuUrD0J3qMqu2P0UNIWWW2dubAlrpvZWPpNAreEZGEYF4Syg/s2000/Sangkalang1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2UNaob5OTnW56URC1RB2_yx_CrJUw_KN-HTQAGfZtaYK-m8LmoGVZyBMRoTVJoYRSZCDMRQOPQylHANXqUNaJ3O0EbtJYFHaAnQMsTJT6WQx11WrnmzVfE9N1lap0muC16vEHhDBjhu8teuUrD0J3qMqu2P0UNIWWW2dubAlrpvZWPpNAreEZGEYF4Syg/w400-h266/Sangkalang1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>The bridge across the Teesta here was torn down by the river on 04Oct2023 at around 1.15pm even though the GLOF hit Sangkalang at around midnight. <br />Locals recall that the Teesta river filled the entire valley from bank to bank for around 9 hours and they felt the ground vibrate like in an earthquake. At least two labourers (of the BRTF) lost their lives and many homes and much construction material and equipment was also lost.<br />The green bamboo bridge was made and used by locals for ferrying materials and people across a swollen river.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEith_bnWGvSncAVVYWLqQZGJkGn6UFFKEOc0GcWQfkg0__CTDWrBHQUPGHupm7vF1Q-oJH0TCF3xVr0VwvHQ4OvZBbXFR-Dm656eKh_bzeU3W_hAzOEDyuV-7kLWc-DwE7j8vqV7ZUX_iNLxIdEHj_Trgg-1cvJ7umN1v5Zq3cj_OU2t9c6fJrPsRqGUewD/s2000/Sangkalang2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEith_bnWGvSncAVVYWLqQZGJkGn6UFFKEOc0GcWQfkg0__CTDWrBHQUPGHupm7vF1Q-oJH0TCF3xVr0VwvHQ4OvZBbXFR-Dm656eKh_bzeU3W_hAzOEDyuV-7kLWc-DwE7j8vqV7ZUX_iNLxIdEHj_Trgg-1cvJ7umN1v5Zq3cj_OU2t9c6fJrPsRqGUewD/w400-h266/Sangkalang2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>A BRO (Border Roads Organization) worker crosses the Teesta on a makeshift bamboo bridge at Sangkalang.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFNw9Bn8Ifval3AUWU04Na4H2ulkgD9w8n664pY8j9ZxioSk66lP3bD3Pz6wSA8kPB3jo0P9C0g6CFTRuNF1YXTH1fS8H6nKLxSadGBXwQ5ErjbCnqhA0t8zsNT7wteHefIX-3Ppu6HkMWKeQOqWVYpJJNjQo5av_E67ht-aIP7MUAJDY9StLuFT-nZPB3/s2000/Sangkalang8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFNw9Bn8Ifval3AUWU04Na4H2ulkgD9w8n664pY8j9ZxioSk66lP3bD3Pz6wSA8kPB3jo0P9C0g6CFTRuNF1YXTH1fS8H6nKLxSadGBXwQ5ErjbCnqhA0t8zsNT7wteHefIX-3Ppu6HkMWKeQOqWVYpJJNjQo5av_E67ht-aIP7MUAJDY9StLuFT-nZPB3/w400-h266/Sangkalang8.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>These Bailey bridges constructed by army engineers, across two branches of the Teesta river at Sangkalang are the lifeline for those living in Dzongu, Chungthang and North Sikkim today but these bridges will be washed away in the first heavy rains in 2024.(Drone photo by Praveen) <br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfbp7F6IEKvDuLomolTJPjHUNBmnBx_neN4C1iZnnQrkDBp6GWpXUinWbTiBjwfjYJU8kobAzI9O28WiRR2x62_u4pHOTlp5jveJuvAgy7_NmgOxw-x0z7Ky3fC4iYW4vILyCvh3E-KDTQWZXE__Ho3kftMkICWa1QMgNWWGmxvr8GD2VwcQXc6R326hKl/s2000/Sangkalang7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfbp7F6IEKvDuLomolTJPjHUNBmnBx_neN4C1iZnnQrkDBp6GWpXUinWbTiBjwfjYJU8kobAzI9O28WiRR2x62_u4pHOTlp5jveJuvAgy7_NmgOxw-x0z7Ky3fC4iYW4vILyCvh3E-KDTQWZXE__Ho3kftMkICWa1QMgNWWGmxvr8GD2VwcQXc6R326hKl/w400-h266/Sangkalang7.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-weight: normal;">As such the BRO is frantically reconstructing a new bridge at the same spot where</span><span style="font-weight: normal;"> the old bridge was swept away on 04Oct2023. It is a race against time.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK8IC2MnBaE_7j5c_xRjvFJ-UlqnrilmrvInFQ4BiR6wTik3H64ZP2jcKHLTimCHB97rYkLGkvDMdqM2AKFqBEjw_oFUHTyY7gsWBkvSoJCwMcN4XHmAYja-1v9rbjIhCFemYO1mjC3_QYR0C9a9gXVUtbfRALQfg2K6WuguOGc0GglxMHXGRLBtazNzeN/s2000/Sangkalang3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK8IC2MnBaE_7j5c_xRjvFJ-UlqnrilmrvInFQ4BiR6wTik3H64ZP2jcKHLTimCHB97rYkLGkvDMdqM2AKFqBEjw_oFUHTyY7gsWBkvSoJCwMcN4XHmAYja-1v9rbjIhCFemYO1mjC3_QYR0C9a9gXVUtbfRALQfg2K6WuguOGc0GglxMHXGRLBtazNzeN/w400-h266/Sangkalang3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>The terrifying force of nature is evident from the above photo. Steel rods from a construction structure have been bent and contorted as if they were limp noodles.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivivlk9Mba0oIk2q93GNPA_zezj32dPVispCqi27bgRSGKzWAmkOjj9sMDjbC_QQ0delg0qmXcHJivji3gCMUVkmPKqqPJnoSJsQPWD4OmFw-RBGc25Xz0YN18kuMP4HvThXHt06ZqAoV33-K_VlF-Fl4tEd2fZsYbOhzAu1c1M8lLkvykzUDBcpNQUK6m/s2000/Sangkalang6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivivlk9Mba0oIk2q93GNPA_zezj32dPVispCqi27bgRSGKzWAmkOjj9sMDjbC_QQ0delg0qmXcHJivji3gCMUVkmPKqqPJnoSJsQPWD4OmFw-RBGc25Xz0YN18kuMP4HvThXHt06ZqAoV33-K_VlF-Fl4tEd2fZsYbOhzAu1c1M8lLkvykzUDBcpNQUK6m/w400-h266/Sangkalang6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>A signboard at the spot where the Sangkalang bridge was swept away - it seems a little bizarre now that Sikkim Urja dam itself is non-existent.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqce5epYPuZ4rWExTg0BawyOAjAuGQ6lCtbHrtfyBaalKD-fzaqtFhNP0es9wzVQ_3GFeV-eX_6FkbJgm7cLrRhsTlzHAWIvOhCAbKm3POe1T3P8Qobp_EixCjY2a6LjYl9IEvA-Nwsf7BafrXeqiDz0VYijs9KiIdg1hwQUnfs2Aieud9xZO6cd255_FL/s2000/Sangkalang5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqce5epYPuZ4rWExTg0BawyOAjAuGQ6lCtbHrtfyBaalKD-fzaqtFhNP0es9wzVQ_3GFeV-eX_6FkbJgm7cLrRhsTlzHAWIvOhCAbKm3POe1T3P8Qobp_EixCjY2a6LjYl9IEvA-Nwsf7BafrXeqiDz0VYijs9KiIdg1hwQUnfs2Aieud9xZO6cd255_FL/w400-h266/Sangkalang5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>We met Basant Pradhan, a business man who lives close to where the old bridge was in Sangkalang. Basant vacated his home when it started shaking during the floods and there was a massive noise. He lost the ground floor of his home and was repairing what he could. He said Sikkim Urja Limited, the dam owners should compensate his losses.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOgwYE8yaDlIMjCTABVjKDjwszLWzLsk2O5nsPrCklKkE60FaRGTwbjQhbWkVTQM9KXLXhlCxe87nj0fNonBL05ucnZnQWhWs2x8XNq0m3ng7iIb0mAkUeaxS18T97d5CyE4OH47MqH9RwFtHLKD4Pdmy0gmfODH8zKdLNXVKSgjQ8BX-2xnDgYbQds25B/s4000/29Dec2217Nov23A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1494" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOgwYE8yaDlIMjCTABVjKDjwszLWzLsk2O5nsPrCklKkE60FaRGTwbjQhbWkVTQM9KXLXhlCxe87nj0fNonBL05ucnZnQWhWs2x8XNq0m3ng7iIb0mAkUeaxS18T97d5CyE4OH47MqH9RwFtHLKD4Pdmy0gmfODH8zKdLNXVKSgjQ8BX-2xnDgYbQds25B/w640-h240/29Dec2217Nov23A.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Drone images (by Praveen) of Sangkalang on 29Dec2022 (Left) and of almost the same area when we transited through Sangkalang on our way to Chungthang 17Nov2023 (Right). Please note how broad the river bed has become after the GLOF event.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRxGrzX_cgyjluNcOjHUUL8DDjNp_-x-ewNIyjhyyC9JJ_7TIC_eoIBKjKwmrXP7tjkdRNVRi3b-LRHTRpzbVmN7zMHboKHQiZQEk7-uPDhSjHjvqwgnINoj7B1eqyk7YMad5OBujUVSZyzvSCv5aA1TfQXZtKC_6uPcc1giY2Im8Mug-u6l_yz1HGe4YU/s4000/29Dec2217Nov23BB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1503" data-original-width="4000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRxGrzX_cgyjluNcOjHUUL8DDjNp_-x-ewNIyjhyyC9JJ_7TIC_eoIBKjKwmrXP7tjkdRNVRi3b-LRHTRpzbVmN7zMHboKHQiZQEk7-uPDhSjHjvqwgnINoj7B1eqyk7YMad5OBujUVSZyzvSCv5aA1TfQXZtKC_6uPcc1giY2Im8Mug-u6l_yz1HGe4YU/w640-h240/29Dec2217Nov23BB.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Drone images (by Praveen) of the Annual Lepcha Fair at Sangkalan on 29Dec2022 (Left) and of the same area when we transited through on our way to Chungthang on 17Nov2023 (Right). Please note the huge sand and sludge on the river bed after the GLOF event.<br />The Lepcha people of this area lost a heritage museum here, their fair grounds and several forest guest houses were also lost in the floods.<br />In addition, many locals lost orange orchards which were destroyed by the GLOF.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZbKEMPt4BcQakaQGN1LBm4mpcGq-JfR89oKVHg5EAVhh7RwifgclM3Heh8kF9xoRsG4MfpuQkSPlJ6pieKr9G8iOXO3_-ifpm2P92IY_IF6nfeudndApWPrqAokgB3BNk4xiYpVQcgqX5rvLyHzCpqRg1R1Saym3sjUlAGshdTGrhyphenhyphentX_jvb_V-eiFMmN/s2000/SkmUrja1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZbKEMPt4BcQakaQGN1LBm4mpcGq-JfR89oKVHg5EAVhh7RwifgclM3Heh8kF9xoRsG4MfpuQkSPlJ6pieKr9G8iOXO3_-ifpm2P92IY_IF6nfeudndApWPrqAokgB3BNk4xiYpVQcgqX5rvLyHzCpqRg1R1Saym3sjUlAGshdTGrhyphenhyphentX_jvb_V-eiFMmN/w400-h266/SkmUrja1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>The Power Station for 1200MW Sikkim-Urja Stage III dam which burst at Chungthang on 04Oct2023 is located close to Sangkalang.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsOAnYGAT3JM2G95CPYCsSdOHJ4GDzJbYcJpuYJNzbWlLKznLdRc1_TTV_gXxmKvMhmqqCRAHIzo7wT1djM-FdGTfNxYm674C_O7ogW5HaeGUeJy2-fSZsSxE_vdo6QnsBEIRS9O5Y758Gu3-3AxK4ET6i0lE71NHGXP-xgEiQfF9LzpIcTNzarP53191a/s2000/SkmUrja2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsOAnYGAT3JM2G95CPYCsSdOHJ4GDzJbYcJpuYJNzbWlLKznLdRc1_TTV_gXxmKvMhmqqCRAHIzo7wT1djM-FdGTfNxYm674C_O7ogW5HaeGUeJy2-fSZsSxE_vdo6QnsBEIRS9O5Y758Gu3-3AxK4ET6i0lE71NHGXP-xgEiQfF9LzpIcTNzarP53191a/w400-h266/SkmUrja2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>The Power Station (27 31 35.3 N 88 32 31.2 E) Elev 831.9m for the Sikkim Urja dam was also non functional and the bridge to the power station had been swept away by the GLOF. We saw a small band of workers on the opposite bank who had crossed over on a ropeway. <br /><br />We stayed over night at Dzongu and started for Chungthang at 4.30am next morning. We will cover that in our next blogpost.<br /><br />My thanks for all who helped. <br /><br /></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Praful Rao<br />Kalimpong district<br />Darjeeling-Sikkim Himalaya<br />savethehills@gmail.com<br />9475033744<br />with<br />Praveen Chhetri<br />Junkeri Studios,<br />Kalimpong.<br />9733185815</span></h4></span></h4></div></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></span></div><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /> </span><p></p>SaveTheHillshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02683050982473682760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3323953779460457291.post-30273318459143599942023-11-22T07:05:00.008+05:302023-11-22T07:18:07.118+05:30Report and recommendations on the GLOF disaster which affected Teesta valley in Oct2023.<p><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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Name="macro"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="toa heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Closing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Message Header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Salutation"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Date"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Block Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="FollowedHyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Plain Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="E-mail Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Top of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Bottom of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal (Web)"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Acronym"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Cite"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Code"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Definition"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Keyboard"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Typewriter"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Contemporary"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Elegant"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Professional"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="List Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark"/>
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</p><p><span class="s-0">We, in the Darjeeling Himalaya Initiative (DHI) submitted a
report (with recommendations)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>to the
NDMA and the SDMA’s of W Bengal and Sikkim based on our observations and interactions with affected people in the
numerous visits to GLOF affected areas between </span><span class="s-1">27th
mile, Kalimpong District, W Bengal and
Dikchu in Gangtok district, Sikkim more than a week ago. </span><span class="s-2">The reports were
substantiated by the many posts and photographic records on the disaster
made in the SaveTheHills blog.</span></p>
<p><span class="s-3">Having visited some of the worst
affected areas in North Sikkim between 17-19Nov2023, we can only reaffirm what has been reported:</span></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>
<span class="s-4">We need an expert team to visit these areas and advise us
the course of action to be taken in the limited time we have before the next monsoons.</span></li><li><span class="s-5">That we should focus on building the resilience of
communities in the flood affected areas while continuing with the recovery and reconstruction process, since many of our populated areas in
the Teesta Valley in Sikkim and W Bengal will again be affected during the </span><span class="s-6">Monsoons 2024.</span></li><li><span class="s-6">That time is of essence.</span></li></ul><span class="s-6">The full report is reproduced below:</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-language: NE; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><div style="text-align: left;"><h3 style="text-align: left;">Report and recommendations on Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) affected areas between Dikchu (Sikkim) and Teesta Low Dam Project III (TLDP III, 27th mile), Kalimpong (West Bengal) </h3><h4 style="text-align: left;">Report Drafted by <a href="http://savethehills.blogspot.com/">SaveTheHills</a> </h4><h4 style="text-align: left;">Submitted by SaveTheHills and Darjeeling Himalaya Initiative<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvxwn1kQxE2lTGQkvPWarR0fJy7cCTfnZXlPEKhd5T2aFxzBWaqwz3ecPJWrKMCQTM6CipCJRqmVzxQgrU5SN2oz6X6N4f60xVxyWvhAU1pf8d6Nl4604Q_M8UelzYHW3wZ-PW4_H4SzZZwxlczLKyl_AuxWj5EkfXtRr0zWazeBpFWFQ1Jri0IQPLy1q_/s720/report.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="663" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvxwn1kQxE2lTGQkvPWarR0fJy7cCTfnZXlPEKhd5T2aFxzBWaqwz3ecPJWrKMCQTM6CipCJRqmVzxQgrU5SN2oz6X6N4f60xVxyWvhAU1pf8d6Nl4604Q_M8UelzYHW3wZ-PW4_H4SzZZwxlczLKyl_AuxWj5EkfXtRr0zWazeBpFWFQ1Jri0IQPLy1q_/w369-h400/report.jpg" width="369" /></a></div><span style="font-weight: normal;">Reported areas are in RED circles </span></h4><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">What we people living along the Teesta valley in parts of Sikkim and Kalimpong District of West Bengal, witnessed in the early hours of 04Oct2023 was a rare, dangerous and a huge catastrophe with the Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) from South Lhonak Glacier, massive dam breach at Chungthang and subsequent floods causing loss of life and livelihoods and devastating large areas of the valley. The size and scale of the event has far escaped the appropriate attention of both the national and concerned state governments. It has been totally under reported by the mainstream media. Many of us, even from Darjeeling and Sikkim Himalaya have pushed it to distant memories and forgotten that there is massive work ahead with rehabilitation and mitigation. <br /></span></h4></li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>When the very turbulent waters of the GLOF from South Lhonak glacier located at 17,300 feet above mean sea level crashed into the already brimming reservoir of the 1200MW Sikkim Urja Dam at Chungthang, the dam was quickly overwhelmed and burst, releasing a wall of water which was 10-15 feet high. This deluge swept through the Teesta valley, destroying everything in its 162 km rampage from the glacier to NHPC Teesta Low Dam Project (TLDP) III at 27th Mile in Kalimpong district.</li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>This report is an attempt to preserve facts of this humongous event and to urge both government and civil society to recognize and respect the vulnerable fragility of the Himalaya. It is extremely apparent that there is the need to be prepared for more such disasters as the Himalaya gets warmer.</li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>The fundamental recommendations stem from extensive field visits to GLOF affected regions and in-depth conversations with the affected residents. Having witnessed the profound impact of this catastrophic event on infrastructure and communities, it is crucial to recognize that we have a mere five-month window to initiate remedial actions. Our primary objective is to empower and ready the traumatized community to confront the challenges of the upcoming monsoon season in 2024, ensuring improved safety and resilience, and safer road networks for the thousands who transit each day.</li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>We have not visited Chungthang and other affected areas in North Sikkim as yet, but have made several visits to GLOF affected areas between Dikchu and 27th Mile (Kalimpong district) and photo essays from our visits are placed in the STH blog http://savethehills.blogspot.com.</li></ul><ul style="margin-top: 0in; text-align: left;" type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt; mso-list: l15 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">It is requested that this report be read in conjunction with more specific inputs from our photo essays in the STH blog which will amplify the observations that are made below.</span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEdCwmp92brjuhz7_rL6om9HNcM6avb5263DyvchEoQ-TQJdDM7zw7EOqGrpPDuamVOSrJoSDxAu-NJ0o5LaLWi8DC2xunOg5KiJ8ba9NJ9615ZHoPl81l9KZZ50SnZvgEm-n1NUwy8PKQbVb2hn_f3QrFE0Df5yqRcir5ilGPLCw4CJrj7O9XGs0dgPYq/s2000/13small.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEdCwmp92brjuhz7_rL6om9HNcM6avb5263DyvchEoQ-TQJdDM7zw7EOqGrpPDuamVOSrJoSDxAu-NJ0o5LaLWi8DC2xunOg5KiJ8ba9NJ9615ZHoPl81l9KZZ50SnZvgEm-n1NUwy8PKQbVb2hn_f3QrFE0Df5yqRcir5ilGPLCw4CJrj7O9XGs0dgPYq/w400-h300/13small.jpg" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">Teesta river in spate at the Teesta bridge, on 04Oct2023 (drone image)</span></div></li></ul><h3 style="text-align: left;"> Observations<br /></h3><h4 style="text-align: left;">The Teesta river </h4><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>The Teesta is still unusually large and fast for this time of year. As such it is continuously eroding sections of NH10 as well as low lying populated areas like the Teesta bazar. </li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li> The river level, post GLOF is much higher; undoubtedly due to the silt deposits as the river slows down in areas of less gradient. In this regard, Mr Lalitendu Tripathi, Executive Director, NHPC, (North Bengal and Sikkim) stated in an interview with a local TV channel ‘Himal World’ that the level of the whole Teesta Basin had increased by 3-4m due to the debris deposits. </li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Locals blame the huge silt deposits by the Teesta on the IRCON project and the tunnel excavations which were dumped on the river banks and which were swept away by the GLOF. To make matters worse, the sludge and sand that is being excavated from all areas as communities try to rehabilitate is being dumped back into the river or onto the river bank. This will undoubtedly increase the silting of the river and increase the river levels even further. </li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Many of the affected people interviewed stated the river was ‘far away and far lower’ before the GLOF event. As such, Teesta at many places is now flowing in the vicinity of populated areas, some of which are subsiding. </li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>The amount of debris which has been brought down by the GLOF is phenomenal and besides tree trunks and branches which are visible and strewn all over the river banks, the invisible heavier debris would also include metal from the many bridges swept away, vehicles, boulders and parts of homes which must be buried deeper in the sand and also ammunition and explosives which make the task of clearing the debris risky. </li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>The thickness of the silt/sludge deposits on the river bank, roads or burying homes is 10 feet or more.</li></ul><h4 class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> <b>Early warning mechanism</b></span></h4><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><h4 class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-language: NE; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><span style="font-weight: normal;">The media is fuzzy whether an AWS (Automatic Weather System) or a GLOF EWS (Early Warning System) was available in North Sikkim but whatever was installed, failed to work.</span><br /></h4> What worked was a much more primitive system where alerts were sounded on bull horns, doors were banged, whistles blown and people informed on cell phones that ‘the river had become big’ and they should move to higher ground. At places the police force was very effective but in the end it was just people reaching out to each other, to their friends and relatives downstream which resulted in less casualties.<br /> All this took place when our entire region was being pelted by heavy rain, in pitch dark in the early morning hours on 04Oct2023. It was fortunate that the cell phone system worked otherwise there would have been far more fatalities. </li></ul><h4 class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;"> Impact on communities and settlements</h4>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 49.6pt; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-language: NE; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><br /></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>We talked to numerous GLOF affected people in Sikkim, as well as in Kalimpong district. Everyone unanimously said they were scared of living in their present homes and requested the government or political party to relocate them to a ‘safer place’. </li></ul><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 49.6pt; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li> Many homes in the shanty /slum areas were swept away by the GLOF (IBM colony – Rangpo, below the Melli bridge, at Teesta Bazar, Geil Khola and Bangay bazar.) Displaced residents from here are living in relief camps or with relatives in Kalimpong district (W. Bengal). Affected people from Sikkim were given compensation by the government on 26Oct2023and have returned home – relief camps in Sikkim have been closed. </li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Many of the RCC homes survived the floods but were buried under a 10-15 feet blanket of sand and sludge. The owners of these homes are excavating their homes and returning. </li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li> Some parts of Teesta bazar which are on the river bank are subsiding due to the erosion of the river which is now flowing very close to these areas. </li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Many buildings and homes adjoining the river banks have now been weakened with large cracks and their foundations eroded. </li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li> Many concrete homes (which were not washed away) are still submerged in water at places. </li></ul><h4 class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 19.84pt; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;">Impact on the roads, NH10 (Singtam to TLDP III section) and bridges</h4><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Parts of the Teesta to Darjeeling road was under water until 20Oct2023. This road and<br /> NH10 were opened for light vehicle traffic only and between 6am-6pm, on 21Oct2023. </li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li> Due to the restriction in heavy vehicles using NH10, all the heavy vehicle traffic from Sikkim and Kalimpong is now being routed thru the Lava - Gorubathan route. This is causing severe traffic jams in certain areas as well as disturbance to residents of Kalimpong, Pedong and Lava since the traffic is only allowed to operate at night. This route from Kalimpong to Siliguri is also much longer and takes 7 hours whereas the NH10 route only takes 3 hours Consequently, this detour directly affects the availability and cost of goods in Kalimpong and Sikkim. </li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li> With the river level much higher now, it flows almost at the same level as the Teesta – Darjeeling road. </li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li> When checked on 02Nov2023, parts of Teesta bazar – Tribeni road were still submerged under the Teesta river. </li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li> NH10 has been damaged severely at many low lying areas where the Teesta flows close to the road. In such areas, the edges of the road are cracked and the river continues to pull down chunks of the road making driving on this road a risky proposal (hence the timings for use of the road and restrictions on heavy vehicles). Examples of such areas on NH10 are</li></ul><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.75in; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"> - Directly opposite Melli bazar<br />- From Teesta bazar to Baluakhani (TLDP III) towards Siliguri. <br /></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li> While the 29th Mile landslide near Teesta bazar remained stable during the GLOF, a very old landslide which had been dormant for decades was activated at Likhu Bhir. </li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Many sections of NH10 are subsiding into the river.<br /><br /></li><li>Major bridges (in the area surveyed) which were destroyed by the GLOF were Indreni bridge linking Singtam with Adarsh gaon and NHPC bridge from Tar Khola to the Patel Engineering Complex in Sikkim.</li></ul><h4 class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-language: NE; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span>Condition of the dams and economic impact.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-language: NE; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></h4>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 45pt; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;"></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li> Sikkim – Urja dam Stage III has been destroyed. </li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>The NHPC dam at Dikchu (Stage V) has also been severely damaged by the GLOF and as per the Executive Director (NHPC), Mr Lalitendu Tripathi it would take a year to restore operations. </li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>NHPC Stage VI dam at Sirwani (Sikkim) had a huge amount of debris dumped into it and the under construction power station for this dam at Tar Khola (with Patel Eng.) was almost wiped out. </li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>We do not know the condition of TLDP III fully. However, the 3-4m siltation deposit on the riverbed and repair of some damaged mechanical parts will prove a challenge here. Moreover, filling the reservoir will probably flood parts of Teesta bazar, the Teesta - Darjeeling road and the Teesta -Tribeni road. </li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li> As on date no major dam has been functioning in the Teesta valley from 04Oct2023, upto and including TLDP III. </li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>The economic impact though not exactly known is huge and much of it is being claimed from insurance. The complete socio-ecological loss of the disaster is incomprehensible and not easily monetized. </li></ul><h4 class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;"> Impact on areas not surveyed<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-language: NE; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></h4><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Our surveys thus far have been confined to urban areas and accessible roads, limiting our assessment of the situation. The catastrophic impact of the GLOF plus dam burst is starkly evident in the extensive damage inflicted on forests, as millions of uprooted trees now litter the riverbanks.</li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>The vulnerability of these remote, less-accessible areas needs to be assessed as we anticipate the upcoming monsoon season </li></ul><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 9pt; text-align: left; text-indent: -31.5pt;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-language: NE; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-language: NE; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">Recommendations<b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 18pt; mso-bidi-language: NE; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></b></h3><h3 style="text-align: left;"><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 18pt; mso-bidi-language: NE; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></b></h3><h4 style="text-align: left;"></h4><h4 style="text-align: left;">1. Detailed Assessment of the GLOF impact and its future repercussion</h4><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">An expert committee needs to be set up urgently to look into: </p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>High river levels, likely flow pattern of the river and vulnerability of populated areas in the proximity of the river in the next monsoons. </li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Assessment of condition of NH10 and other roads in areas impacted by GLOF. As on date, many places between Likhu Bhir and 27th Mile and around Melli show signs of subsidence. </li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Alternate routes for heavy and light vehicles, timings for use of roads and traffic control in such areas need to be planned and informed to the public. </li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Vulnerability of sinking populated areas such as those in Teesta bazar and other places needs to be studied and mitigation methods such as protective embankments implemented.</li></ul> <h4 style="text-align: left;">2. Rehabilitation of affected homeless people</h4><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Rehabilitation is an extremely traumatic and distressing experience for people affected by disaster where they have to uproot themselves from their homes and relocate to a strange, different place and adapt to an entirely different environment.</li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li> The GLOF event has resulted in many people whose homes have been swept away and their place of residence has become too dangerous to live in and as such today temporarily live in relief camps or with relatives or in rented places. The number of such people will increase in the future as more areas get affected by the Teesta river.</li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Relocation of such people needs to be planned and looked into and safety, opportunities and well being factored into the rehabilitation process.</li></ul><h4 style="text-align: left;">3. Strengthen preparedness </h4><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>A fail safe Early Warning and Dissemination System needs to be provided in the vulnerable areas of Teesta Valley.This should be a system which will continue to function in a disaster scenario with severe power outages and damage to cell phone towers - which is likely to happen in a major disaster. </li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Manual hooters and other disaster alerting systems should have a distinct sound which cannot be confused with ambulance or other siren sounds. </li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>The status of NH10 and other prominent roads must be informed to the public through social media or electronic sign boards at key places. </li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Relief centres in vulnerable areas should be planned in advance so that they could be set up rapidly in the event of a disaster. Solar lighting/ generators must be provided in such places.</li></ul> <ul style="text-align: left;"><li>The cell phone system in the Teesta valley played a crucial role in saving numerous lives and ensuring continuous communication with affected individuals during the recent disaster. However, given the susceptibility of this communication system to landslides and power outages, it is imperative to establish a resilient backup solution. Implementing ham radios as a back-up communication may be considered. These ham radios can be operated by ex-servicemen, who are already trained to operate such equipment. </li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Investment in power rescue tools, solar lighting, first aid training, home insurance, AWS (automatic weather stations), etc. all would be immensely helpful in building a more resilient community.</li></ul>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">4. Capacity building and raising awareness.<b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-language: NE; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></b></h4><h4><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-language: NE; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></b></h4><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Massive awareness campaign along with CBDRM needs to be implemented. Many lives were lost when people chose to ignore the warning issued either on the cell phone or in person.</li></ul> <ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Periodic evacuation drills need to be conducted in all vulnerable areas. </li></ul> <ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Capacity building for communities in the valley has to be a priority action. Their experiences of what worked during the disaster therefore needs to be strengthened. What were the gaps needs to be studied, improved and documented. Serious efforts must be made for working on the gaps in a time bound manner, with constant monitoring mechanisms put in place. </li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>A ‘Lest we forget’ memorial can be made by preserving any of the structures that have been impacted by the floods. This can be developed into a good awareness and educational space for people to visit with interpretation material that consist of write ups / photographs / human stories on the event of October 4th 2023. </li></ul>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">Conclusion</h3><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"> As has been stated already, the Oct2023 disaster is the most serious disaster to have affected the Darjeeling -Sikkim Himalaya after the October 1968 deluge. It has not received due attention because its greatest impact was confined to the Teesta valley that does not always take center stage. Also the number of fatalities was comparatively limited and disaster discourse does not fully acknowledge the socio-ecological importance of the mountains and the cumulative loss due to disasters. The impacts of the GLOF, dam breach and subsequent impacts on infrastructure and urban settlements cannot be understated and needs to be looked into with urgency and importance. Time is of essence, with the monsoons of 2024 just months away. We urge experts to visit and assess the situation and remedial action to be initiated without delay so that the impacts of this disaster do not continue into the coming monsoon.<span></span></p><a name='more'></a> <br />The above report was emailed by <span class="s-0">Darjeeling Himalaya Initiative (DHI)</span> to the NDMA and SDMAs of W Bengal and Sikkim on 10Nov2023. Subsequently, it was also emailed to many other government functionaries and political parties.<br />SaveTheHills is a member of DHI.<br /><br />Praful Rao<br />Kalimpong district<br />Darjeeling - Sikkim Himalaya<br />savethehills@gmail.com<br />9475033744<br /><br /><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-language: NE; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-language: NE; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></p><br /></div>SaveTheHillshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02683050982473682760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3323953779460457291.post-20668324713565328432023-11-15T10:12:00.002+05:302023-11-15T10:17:36.848+05:30Photographic record of the impact of 04Oct2023 GLOF at Melli bazar and its vicinity -13Nov2023 <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi04j82VHrishbTtHMcVE5hj3zCWrxegdJwSs3wUypvDf-etqzxm0OcEe1FpPUGY9dtoKfOgNZgzznSfnz49VyJ5mCAANGaSnhmU3nw6hGH1Zitj6yQU27eoLmsEU0eB4pNw1e8Fn6OK-xE3Ka4T0i_kcCEWSbIM6CnPWjMvKy2WGLb3nV33smWo_S4k7M0/s1229/map.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="819" data-original-width="1229" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi04j82VHrishbTtHMcVE5hj3zCWrxegdJwSs3wUypvDf-etqzxm0OcEe1FpPUGY9dtoKfOgNZgzznSfnz49VyJ5mCAANGaSnhmU3nw6hGH1Zitj6yQU27eoLmsEU0eB4pNw1e8Fn6OK-xE3Ka4T0i_kcCEWSbIM6CnPWjMvKy2WGLb3nV33smWo_S4k7M0/w400-h266/map.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Melli (27 05 24.2 N 88 27 29.6 E) Elev 232.9m, is a place which straddles the Teesta river. In South Sikkim, it is a small town, whereas in W Bengal (Kalimpong district) it is a transit place on NH10, Kalimpong district ,W Bengal. <br />We visited Melli during <a href="http://savethehills.blogspot.com/2023/10/photo-essay-on-glacial-lake-outburst.html" target="_blank">our survey of Teesta bazar</a> on 10Oct2023 but could not access Melli (Sikkim) because the road from the bridge to the Melli town was closed to traffic.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinq5V3l-d7U8sOV303DyYPPMV7_UNEaM_yPocoxcz88zPfvrZ2MrkI9EPoWOSiot_vk03uxp65qABCeicLPY43zfQakoOvR-ZITK35BBSqh9ogc3D7QkYLL5IGWS1bts-p8txtwJhFfEdO8jtrHAcX0m2PSaKo-sD7a2EpF3YVy6BZrFJh0xmL0X3vJv0T/s2000/11.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinq5V3l-d7U8sOV303DyYPPMV7_UNEaM_yPocoxcz88zPfvrZ2MrkI9EPoWOSiot_vk03uxp65qABCeicLPY43zfQakoOvR-ZITK35BBSqh9ogc3D7QkYLL5IGWS1bts-p8txtwJhFfEdO8jtrHAcX0m2PSaKo-sD7a2EpF3YVy6BZrFJh0xmL0X3vJv0T/w400-h266/11.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>On 13Nov2023, more than a month after the GLOF event I could make it to Melli town (Sikkim) with Prof Malay Mukul (Dept of Earth Sciences, IIT Bombay). Malay is from Kalimpong and was on a brief vacation here. These are some images from our visit on 10Oct2023:<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCkkaeQm_ALlQ6k-gPLQkHhPzrQaQ0usiNdEX5EfYPKj4DcNK2cAdk-0_y4l3vL3W7O_QtUqokclkRXHXakOZ3hhtip-nTGqE15TM3eOrML6L43DDNfU3rfDk9qkzBFxkJW-gLVqmVmcPGhK2lg-nqitxg4kwdK_GwviJsK1cmFLdz1sCZVzs0NgODpwf4/s2000/1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1498" data-original-width="2000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCkkaeQm_ALlQ6k-gPLQkHhPzrQaQ0usiNdEX5EfYPKj4DcNK2cAdk-0_y4l3vL3W7O_QtUqokclkRXHXakOZ3hhtip-nTGqE15TM3eOrML6L43DDNfU3rfDk9qkzBFxkJW-gLVqmVmcPGhK2lg-nqitxg4kwdK_GwviJsK1cmFLdz1sCZVzs0NgODpwf4/w400-h300/1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Drone image (by Praveen) of the Melli ground and stadium with the Teesta river nudging the edges of the complex.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK-cPhlBHTpo2ZnY5-fiOS6bCpI0vwRETdWaYAiv_seTiNaflY86tUus19fxCRWWJ6NAOsVYz1VjyfCeotUCHw9rTCKkKALZeaE9wNn0MA4hIdmGhPTD6_6rIsz-N040lqo4vrv-6LOm-GSsRFnQY43pWg_IolS5vXyYwRQllzLWud76MKF6tny5Gq3CAs/s2000/2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK-cPhlBHTpo2ZnY5-fiOS6bCpI0vwRETdWaYAiv_seTiNaflY86tUus19fxCRWWJ6NAOsVYz1VjyfCeotUCHw9rTCKkKALZeaE9wNn0MA4hIdmGhPTD6_6rIsz-N040lqo4vrv-6LOm-GSsRFnQY43pWg_IolS5vXyYwRQllzLWud76MKF6tny5Gq3CAs/w400-h266/2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Shredded parts of NH10 with a view of Melli town (Sikkim) from the opposite bank.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP7z98u-wa9Na6W7x_-bVGJ6b974FqFSaGPv8bu3yIycUYqBjuXC96XTej-DQb_H97keU4bj5fjFDNkDDkDQBhdyygSZLssNxtqtq_ULdRjGZ76MZOEwX4QfOPRU4tGfSlCwLceL71bx4dJlo2PqRjaZtVY05SC8ipzNFBgoumeqvbCFR2YCSbhQazzDaR/s2000/3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP7z98u-wa9Na6W7x_-bVGJ6b974FqFSaGPv8bu3yIycUYqBjuXC96XTej-DQb_H97keU4bj5fjFDNkDDkDQBhdyygSZLssNxtqtq_ULdRjGZ76MZOEwX4QfOPRU4tGfSlCwLceL71bx4dJlo2PqRjaZtVY05SC8ipzNFBgoumeqvbCFR2YCSbhQazzDaR/w400-h266/3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>An excavator had started removing sand and sludge from the stadium on 10Oct2023.<br /><br /><b>Images from our visit on 13Nov2023 to Melli.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9yIrouZkPvfTAhnqIFURgzJOvpQbcMm0N9tlIf7lKNX0vaA_gRoR_aNpEIkY9Hu626z8uVE7BUa50iXCNRlOS5PWB1wwydMym2GvBqN0ysEObcc1c0i89ESve1rX6z7ZZdUMxKuRXP3oMJgxpEMZ8qkUvlTiKXlJB_p4T_Ek_xn3cKnS-H0W6RZjwgeZ0/s2000/5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9yIrouZkPvfTAhnqIFURgzJOvpQbcMm0N9tlIf7lKNX0vaA_gRoR_aNpEIkY9Hu626z8uVE7BUa50iXCNRlOS5PWB1wwydMym2GvBqN0ysEObcc1c0i89ESve1rX6z7ZZdUMxKuRXP3oMJgxpEMZ8qkUvlTiKXlJB_p4T_Ek_xn3cKnS-H0W6RZjwgeZ0/w400-h266/5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></b>A dumper at the Melli ground belonging to SML company had been excavated along with the first floor of the several buildings at the rear.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikS-mmkUQPY9eZfFqxzF6sGB4FQLfhirmBiwCI-25EzohfmhOWxpIGHHjc8HSp9jcPMOiYjVmF90TjSZ8rv_U3koETEtgY2siCM965oBp1oqIN5UTfweBkzB1-m2P6D5SXEi5XOCi92R7i_LqkKOkw63IKqtxxbKJPrqDYl9-PcZRoaVZO1JTJ-9OsGWgc/s2000/4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikS-mmkUQPY9eZfFqxzF6sGB4FQLfhirmBiwCI-25EzohfmhOWxpIGHHjc8HSp9jcPMOiYjVmF90TjSZ8rv_U3koETEtgY2siCM965oBp1oqIN5UTfweBkzB1-m2P6D5SXEi5XOCi92R7i_LqkKOkw63IKqtxxbKJPrqDYl9-PcZRoaVZO1JTJ-9OsGWgc/w400-h266/4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>The wreckage of another vehicle lay at the edge of the Melli stadium. Excavation of the sand, debris and sludge was continuing but seemed a humongous task considering the almost 10-15feet of sand that was dumped everywhere. Prof Malay Mukul can be seen in the background taking some readings.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCrr0DpOuQbn044vHISHj5ADYPSgdd2nthzjHPkGq2pSmXhMquPmvpo9X1VgdGdMp5eCgk914LW-1t1rFFQj0ILE0cDeXzt3ZL3lx8bdDF9Gk3TyA75-_uXUP-wD4YoZgzkGQDm_DOOFLrZqRrDCk19v3vOLv8cin_eg9CE1mlk2fToVbUBVMgtuYrpKQc/s2000/6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCrr0DpOuQbn044vHISHj5ADYPSgdd2nthzjHPkGq2pSmXhMquPmvpo9X1VgdGdMp5eCgk914LW-1t1rFFQj0ILE0cDeXzt3ZL3lx8bdDF9Gk3TyA75-_uXUP-wD4YoZgzkGQDm_DOOFLrZqRrDCk19v3vOLv8cin_eg9CE1mlk2fToVbUBVMgtuYrpKQc/w400-h266/6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Another view of the Melli stadium with buried vehicles strewn all over. Notice how close the river had come to the main town during the GLOF. In the distance and across the river is the IRCON railway tunnel. <br />This was the area which was most affected in Melli town (Sikkim) by the GLOF event.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGyEcI8ucjWyiyWavnYv7X7vZC4TVf7GM1VWGUIdPdxaXSaMsbOOlrSZ-hm69loz9KTXoIMdd1-T_fZWFRbHDBtwCWewuIInFtCg-O6ntI2eiglSLNPEZ1YzFIm_S9nBx-qXdtCUP-t1f57iY6RbyixtwaO7BuOTNseQ7GuxcRZK_AERYEBbWsu7Gw75fu/s2000/10.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGyEcI8ucjWyiyWavnYv7X7vZC4TVf7GM1VWGUIdPdxaXSaMsbOOlrSZ-hm69loz9KTXoIMdd1-T_fZWFRbHDBtwCWewuIInFtCg-O6ntI2eiglSLNPEZ1YzFIm_S9nBx-qXdtCUP-t1f57iY6RbyixtwaO7BuOTNseQ7GuxcRZK_AERYEBbWsu7Gw75fu/w400-h266/10.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>A sombre Milan Gurung (48yrs) stands at his home near the Melli stadium with the Teesta river lapping up the edges of what used to be his front yard. He told us that 3 new vehicles from SML company were swept away here along with a large liquor storehouse. <br />He squarely blames the inundation of his home on the dumping of excavated tunnel material on the opposite bank by the IRCON project. He says the river first hit the huge IRCON debris on the opposite bank and rebounded from it, to flood his home and 10 houses around the stadium.<br />Milan Gurung told us the river was never so close to his home earlier and was fearful about living here now.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjowRr8eLBC0DwM0JwDi81XL_gfz-KegGrjTLGDacbAyDzFW2U1Da4enhBqEN8kzmhW4pIAwMx62A-b4hmH6Tc57naoihE8u6g2NaJLIesF9rqhSo1dQYT_i52cqoz5kFDF0p-ZFYrSrkAgn-GURzKeF1n_QOLyo4ZXaOoLp_4_WcCU1l0Um2XB2YEzEz_k/s2000/12.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjowRr8eLBC0DwM0JwDi81XL_gfz-KegGrjTLGDacbAyDzFW2U1Da4enhBqEN8kzmhW4pIAwMx62A-b4hmH6Tc57naoihE8u6g2NaJLIesF9rqhSo1dQYT_i52cqoz5kFDF0p-ZFYrSrkAgn-GURzKeF1n_QOLyo4ZXaOoLp_4_WcCU1l0Um2XB2YEzEz_k/w400-h266/12.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Debris at the opposite end of the stadium. <br />Residents of this area said the sewage treatment plant of Melli town was located here and it was either swept away or buried.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVdqKB8qE8oa5E_ssubQ_ciPzljKVHHb9jmmPwJM7TjdKtUpmVjIR51DcGXRYyo91LZGhyphenhyphenA04uCEdkHeo8D76TpH3bpjZSWzFWVrF9UmYSjqhSOw1UWAhdbDizxd74JR43wONfiKln6SoSfzZkxlr5txjkyzM6TlzC85NhdXR-KxVCfhOZw1JxCamIBuUS/s2000/13.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVdqKB8qE8oa5E_ssubQ_ciPzljKVHHb9jmmPwJM7TjdKtUpmVjIR51DcGXRYyo91LZGhyphenhyphenA04uCEdkHeo8D76TpH3bpjZSWzFWVrF9UmYSjqhSOw1UWAhdbDizxd74JR43wONfiKln6SoSfzZkxlr5txjkyzM6TlzC85NhdXR-KxVCfhOZw1JxCamIBuUS/w400-h266/13.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Dangerously poised GLOF affected buildings on the W Bengal side of Melli Bazar. <br />The problem is that there are so many weakened structures like these, everywhere with the river nibbling away at the base. <br /><br /><b>Images of Tribeni </b>(at the junction of Rangeet and Teesta rivers)<br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibonHK8K0reNwAUsucxvtN3MAQiVqjo2Ee-23ryyx572TpbPT-nxQzPrkmpvi2uW_0o5-DVpeGI6tH3a-HXXvcy3hjiWG3lio5yAiqhRuOWYwz1HPpAyr5GTV_xyMDbGsRR5Getd6I51N84kZpGRrEzmdxEpCQ4nhXQAdhZs2oJURPOCb4r8XDQq0tZOM-/s2000/7a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibonHK8K0reNwAUsucxvtN3MAQiVqjo2Ee-23ryyx572TpbPT-nxQzPrkmpvi2uW_0o5-DVpeGI6tH3a-HXXvcy3hjiWG3lio5yAiqhRuOWYwz1HPpAyr5GTV_xyMDbGsRR5Getd6I51N84kZpGRrEzmdxEpCQ4nhXQAdhZs2oJURPOCb4r8XDQq0tZOM-/w400-h266/7a.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Image of the GTA Covid Hospital at Tribeni on 10Oct2023.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqZf7y5JYoreEzj98FVWgZI9m6Dnb9hyphenhyphenPX20oQMNvb0wBywfjr4FDVeHpdKkbxoG4w8QXaBpkh1NetH9b9Z6pnlIYLBhfecqntcorYu2-DL1tKkcSKyoM753XLel8S5M67TcRuXkrpDyy0Vo-Nf6P_BYgPY2Cj-guoSgFajTikJOLECHNz59DZRut8btcL/s2000/7.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqZf7y5JYoreEzj98FVWgZI9m6Dnb9hyphenhyphenPX20oQMNvb0wBywfjr4FDVeHpdKkbxoG4w8QXaBpkh1NetH9b9Z6pnlIYLBhfecqntcorYu2-DL1tKkcSKyoM753XLel8S5M67TcRuXkrpDyy0Vo-Nf6P_BYgPY2Cj-guoSgFajTikJOLECHNz59DZRut8btcL/w400-h266/7.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Image of the GTA Covid Hospital at Tribeni on 13Nov2023.<br />Rangeet river water is distinctly green whereas that of the Teesta is still laden with silt and brown. <br /><b>Road to GTA Covid Hospital at Tribeni on 13Nov2023<br /></b>A large section of road (approx 300m) from Teesta bazar to the GTA Covid Hospital at Tribeni is still submerged - with the river having regained its lost territory.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ2PulUJzlzJipHi-uAEQXhK-CdoD4E9re_aZulI_FEmEDzvCLV5SSCnHz53pVr-5GZDLaza65mODnIt24zg5RVXZN6NYGEU9JWqDndv8LqKSAg11ihZE9JKqR1dYEFNU6pxxhnxIKrWtgaC8CwNSCZJiyJ7nVSB6SkvzQe0WH_h1EJ6YERVEdsE4tWSQL/s1366/map1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="911" data-original-width="1366" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ2PulUJzlzJipHi-uAEQXhK-CdoD4E9re_aZulI_FEmEDzvCLV5SSCnHz53pVr-5GZDLaza65mODnIt24zg5RVXZN6NYGEU9JWqDndv8LqKSAg11ihZE9JKqR1dYEFNU6pxxhnxIKrWtgaC8CwNSCZJiyJ7nVSB6SkvzQe0WH_h1EJ6YERVEdsE4tWSQL/w400-h266/map1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZDDJcwJIRTDCyq0MGIpprQTg-Oar99sGWbUUTzXiei3AcELtD3DrRw_Z_YcYVLKkEMGTIcu6cmn91t4mlijcEjHJ-TcAgZjr1Ce_kWwdrMcMeZffFj-GYubyOgAJILxx5Ej-XJrZE0Ftol8Dpfnx1uNLugI3lM6_n3H4e3aUy4Q_oYWqFSX0LWqOs0NFe/s2000/9.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZDDJcwJIRTDCyq0MGIpprQTg-Oar99sGWbUUTzXiei3AcELtD3DrRw_Z_YcYVLKkEMGTIcu6cmn91t4mlijcEjHJ-TcAgZjr1Ce_kWwdrMcMeZffFj-GYubyOgAJILxx5Ej-XJrZE0Ftol8Dpfnx1uNLugI3lM6_n3H4e3aUy4Q_oYWqFSX0LWqOs0NFe/w400-h266/9.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>The river submerges the road here (27 04 6.8 N 88 25 39.7 E) just 10 mins walk from the Teesta bazar. Sadly, this place has now become a dumping ground for solid waste.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn4AEoGRsc9uoPNlSXlVIm19fLh4w-n49P86o-lSAjp6AIMwBffWQIIj0Zk7EBliWW43wgGrVmg3C4GBgdKn3Q20XGWmnskD3Gy3lS8rg1DsZxLvHlQFm-jqBe_uehdjVeWcJpfCApokpB8KPxvsYkjpceozMgAKj6o5hBOpkIGO9qXf1UHh92IAgl1-b8/s2000/8.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn4AEoGRsc9uoPNlSXlVIm19fLh4w-n49P86o-lSAjp6AIMwBffWQIIj0Zk7EBliWW43wgGrVmg3C4GBgdKn3Q20XGWmnskD3Gy3lS8rg1DsZxLvHlQFm-jqBe_uehdjVeWcJpfCApokpB8KPxvsYkjpceozMgAKj6o5hBOpkIGO9qXf1UHh92IAgl1-b8/w400-h266/8.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>The road remains under water for a long time until it reaches here (27 04 14.4 N 88 25 49.2 E) where it climbs out of the river.</p><p>My thanks to Prof Malay Mukul for taking time off to visit these places. I will update his inputs in a separate blogpost.<br /><br />Praful Rao<br />Kalimpong district<br />Darjeeling-Sikkim Himalaya<br />savethehills@gmail.com<br />9475033744<br /><br /><br /><br /></p>SaveTheHillshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02683050982473682760noreply@blogger.com0Melli, Sikkim, India27.0908375 88.4567399-3.075540383312088 53.3004899 57.257215383312086 123.6129899tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3323953779460457291.post-42712988314372715002023-11-12T16:13:00.007+05:302023-11-12T16:15:13.736+05:30Cyclone Aila (26May2009) vs GLOF (04Oct2023) : Photos of Teesta river at Teesta Bazar<p><span class="s-0">Cyclone AILA was a huge disaster event which
impacted Darjeeling- Kalimpong districts between 24May and 26May2009
when it dumped 247mm of rain in Darjeeling in 24hrs. </span><span class="s-1">17 people lost their lives in the storm. </span><span class="s-2">STH tracked the cyclone and has blogged extensively about it in May and June2009.</span> (See <a href="http://savethehills.blogspot.com/2009/05/sth-storm-watch-tracking-cyclone-aila.html" target="_blank">1</a>, <a href="http://savethehills.blogspot.com/2009/05/media-cover-telegraph-on-aila.html" target="_blank">2</a>, <a href="http://savethehills.blogspot.com/2009/05/images-of-nhpc-dams-and-nh31a.html" target="_blank">3</a>).<br /></p><p><span class="s-4">In order to understand the magnitude of both these disaster events I have placed photos of the impact on the Teesta river,</span><span class="s-5"> taken from approximately the same location on the Teesta bridge in May2009 and in Oct2023.</span><br /></p><p><span class="s-6">Photos of the Teesta river
of 2009 were courtesy Mr Naren Tamang of Kalimpong TV and taken <b>DURING the storm</b> -
please note no major dams were operating upstream in the Teesta valley then.</span></p><p><span class="s-7">Photos of the GLOF event were taken by me on 10Oct2023,<b> 6 days after the the GLOF event</b>.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnOmaqMgPWIXilqgPle1XjnyYdsDAyJEh2G_AccvZX0whIqpR4BjflrAMduIouOUemo12Ew4pqBN8gHaRH8XHkgkJsIPQ4nJkkcmFclktIndXYac7w2vOzO6U0arCKG0Pisq56uVRbGgWFNLfwE1GVfE6c39Aj1QsR1AKNRbvYDYQsvJmydZTNRheCkdQE/s2000/1a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnOmaqMgPWIXilqgPle1XjnyYdsDAyJEh2G_AccvZX0whIqpR4BjflrAMduIouOUemo12Ew4pqBN8gHaRH8XHkgkJsIPQ4nJkkcmFclktIndXYac7w2vOzO6U0arCKG0Pisq56uVRbGgWFNLfwE1GVfE6c39Aj1QsR1AKNRbvYDYQsvJmydZTNRheCkdQE/w400-h300/1a.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><b>Cyclone AILA (26May2009):</b> Photo of homes close to the river bank almost directly below the Teesta bridge. The Teesta - Darjeeling road is intact and was not touched by the river during Cyclone AILA.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv-s2jHUkSynbYyEnkcSvK6VlDxYc9e8flgx4y1QH2nn2909Gf8WPKoMImgVRXoGdlo3noejcDKjIAUXF1SSirBXMdATSUGPolUMDa3y2POl_hGfXiLpAYIkavOymUUL92DE2E4kHqdiPbaacQmivhegBhvpNauiz5Trhd4Xg78QSffWDkM84SI-h2ZmxQ/s2000/1aa.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv-s2jHUkSynbYyEnkcSvK6VlDxYc9e8flgx4y1QH2nn2909Gf8WPKoMImgVRXoGdlo3noejcDKjIAUXF1SSirBXMdATSUGPolUMDa3y2POl_hGfXiLpAYIkavOymUUL92DE2E4kHqdiPbaacQmivhegBhvpNauiz5Trhd4Xg78QSffWDkM84SI-h2ZmxQ/w400-h266/1aa.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><b>GLOF (10Oct2023): </b>Image of almost the same area, 6 days after the GLOF event. Note the level of the river vis-a-vis the level of Teesta -Darjeeling road.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwWCgeBTfBgdQNoLRzY5FabbgplsapLrnumSK-kmrPPzoJKvJeWrzbRa_MvplcSK9rB9Fpt0IZI3DUNv2_b1D0jRagGjJmM9CLKEug79yFQH_zOzwuiAtTDMkLBOSbNI1t421H1SeDZibfuajjn2ftST-mfpmEmU_wwKQnXO0Do869z6tsD6jv1YyAXnZu/s2000/3a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwWCgeBTfBgdQNoLRzY5FabbgplsapLrnumSK-kmrPPzoJKvJeWrzbRa_MvplcSK9rB9Fpt0IZI3DUNv2_b1D0jRagGjJmM9CLKEug79yFQH_zOzwuiAtTDMkLBOSbNI1t421H1SeDZibfuajjn2ftST-mfpmEmU_wwKQnXO0Do869z6tsD6jv1YyAXnZu/w400-h300/3a.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><b>Cyclone AILA (26May2009): </b>Teesta river (looking north). No major dams were operating then and settlements of Teesta bazar near or on the bank were minimal.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx5qAc9OLn-E0Hpu7_YSORc_ajC2Jokz4vcGeP-fwN58zM22c1QJqlyFgLcopahf1217N55jArEK0Arj8erTYkHoUJ9HjCcH6mRiwte4EAkUz3GSMmCXdDn1YswTGo0iRVTmLDtmjKJVofHWa0kmabfYs9oNMA9veojejrQCloH6N4cQfyeQ0H6nF6PlKN/s2000/G3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx5qAc9OLn-E0Hpu7_YSORc_ajC2Jokz4vcGeP-fwN58zM22c1QJqlyFgLcopahf1217N55jArEK0Arj8erTYkHoUJ9HjCcH6mRiwte4EAkUz3GSMmCXdDn1YswTGo0iRVTmLDtmjKJVofHWa0kmabfYs9oNMA9veojejrQCloH6N4cQfyeQ0H6nF6PlKN/w400-h266/G3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span class="s-7"><b>GLOF (10Oct2023):</b> </span><span class="s-7">Teesta river (looking north). </span><span class="s-7">Almost the same scene but 14 years later. Note the density of the settlements on the river bank - many such homes were swept away</span><span class="s-7"><b><br /></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA8bNnKrRtTK_v4rxbRpIPjbqqCLkf1bl1mH2yvbZPvLMcKshYbTYyc0atdhXZTKsdHdp2WBQMrPuEOORukNcpIw5JNNwWg3enk_USHqhmWlRDgBtxNtxUuhSMQgn0F3NmdNHfAm9iBJVP9NVk549Cmk3KgcKIMmFac0D8duH7vCu7Nnf4V40_aDlgazAq/s2000/2a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA8bNnKrRtTK_v4rxbRpIPjbqqCLkf1bl1mH2yvbZPvLMcKshYbTYyc0atdhXZTKsdHdp2WBQMrPuEOORukNcpIw5JNNwWg3enk_USHqhmWlRDgBtxNtxUuhSMQgn0F3NmdNHfAm9iBJVP9NVk549Cmk3KgcKIMmFac0D8duH7vCu7Nnf4V40_aDlgazAq/w400-h300/2a.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><b>Cyclone AILA (26May2009):</b> Photo of Teesta from the bridge (looking south). The Teesta to Darjeeling road (extreme right) is considerably higher than the river and was not damaged by AILA.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_KS2GUUfPYQusFe8EZKyGugV51iSuGipHno1VW-DFjCKf0isRgZ6xkQb-kvfzXTrqy_rBZZPHSDMC2TiMqVPuJkfQca2Ir1CmmjVudi_x7UMrw1n2ZM-BDPzvc08vHrDGpuVhY1xz9He1vnAInQJC7n3ZhV5fVuDHj1HbQYNaENmRHmHVpuX7xPsP259z/s2000/2aa.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_KS2GUUfPYQusFe8EZKyGugV51iSuGipHno1VW-DFjCKf0isRgZ6xkQb-kvfzXTrqy_rBZZPHSDMC2TiMqVPuJkfQca2Ir1CmmjVudi_x7UMrw1n2ZM-BDPzvc08vHrDGpuVhY1xz9He1vnAInQJC7n3ZhV5fVuDHj1HbQYNaENmRHmHVpuX7xPsP259z/w400-h266/2aa.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></span><span class="s-7"><b>GLOF (10Oct2023): </b></span><span class="s-7"> Photo of Teesta from the bridge (looking south).The level of the Teesta is so much higher and parts of the Teesta to Darjeeling road are under water.</span><p></p><p><span class="s-7"></span></p><p><span class="s-7">Praful Rao<br />Kalimpong district<br />Darjeeling-Sikkim Himalaya<br />savethehills@gmail.com<br />9475033744<br /><br />Thanks to Naren bhai for the images of Cyclone AILA<br /></span><br /><span class="s-7"><br /> <br /> <br /></span></p>SaveTheHillshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02683050982473682760noreply@blogger.com0Kalimpong, West Bengal, India27.0593562 88.469453500000014-1.2508776361788456 53.313203500000014 55.369590036178849 123.62570350000001tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3323953779460457291.post-26806351872647468802023-11-04T19:47:00.009+05:302023-11-16T09:12:22.159+05:30Photographic record (Part II) of the impact of GLOF on parts of Teesta valley between Tar Khola and Dikchu - 22Oct2023 <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1aL0pb0OlOY8DQt5fjRk1R1e6mEJh_hqAv36H9glDP8c8hZEjPsSAFL4IO7GygzpOeoTuRqtxtrc1GwNzuH-kLtu_aH5VzdKYolTUSYDYu6Myf7pHsOVruZ5hKG_yYYKQ39PnJDAPWTZisZ0zyGCVSM73ZGA0_uYQWUHfbizoc-ApC7FJMqWHc_x0WOWk/s2000/route.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1aL0pb0OlOY8DQt5fjRk1R1e6mEJh_hqAv36H9glDP8c8hZEjPsSAFL4IO7GygzpOeoTuRqtxtrc1GwNzuH-kLtu_aH5VzdKYolTUSYDYu6Myf7pHsOVruZ5hKG_yYYKQ39PnJDAPWTZisZ0zyGCVSM73ZGA0_uYQWUHfbizoc-ApC7FJMqWHc_x0WOWk/w400-h300/route.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>This blog (Part II) covers our visit from Rangpo to Dikchu.<br /><br /><b>Rangpo </b>(27 10 28.7 N 88 31 23.6 E) Elev: 312.6m<b><br /></b>We first visited Rangpo, a major town in SIkkim which was severely affected by the GLOF, on 06Oct2023 and reported on it <a href="http://savethehills.blogspot.com/2023/10/photo-essay-on-glacier-lake-outburst.html" target="_blank">here</a></p><p><span class="s-0">When we visited Rangpo on 29Oct (on our way to Dikchu) after our first visit there on 06Oct2023, much had changed. </span><span class="s-1">The
town, where the GLOF had blanketed 438 buildings in the IBM market
place with a 10 feet layer of sludge (while sweeping away 128 lighter
structures) was in recovery mode. </span><span class="s-2">There was a continuous drone and clank of heavy machinery as excavators dug out sludge and huge trucks ferried the debris away.</span></p><p><span class="s-3">Placed below are several photos of approximately the same area, taken on 06Oct (Top photo) and on 29Oct2023.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguN3YKULXiSoeDY710OKP5j4IA4wwGVR3WD9hGqnQWPsavWFr2A2HrmJVWDvn1k1iHkue7fmaIstO9lYOHGesIEPYfz_Z_Rq4WSQ4uJV9mKCI7Df9WSHdBZAa41Hkf08Tyi519GnaTbpENnfqPvd3J3RsJ2BReEwM0ssc5lb3LsoCQvwIJQMylj2WPqe-0/s2671/13.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2671" data-original-width="2000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguN3YKULXiSoeDY710OKP5j4IA4wwGVR3WD9hGqnQWPsavWFr2A2HrmJVWDvn1k1iHkue7fmaIstO9lYOHGesIEPYfz_Z_Rq4WSQ4uJV9mKCI7Df9WSHdBZAa41Hkf08Tyi519GnaTbpENnfqPvd3J3RsJ2BReEwM0ssc5lb3LsoCQvwIJQMylj2WPqe-0/w480-h640/13.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCIOKjhmXhno3UIFBcbTcaMGFUoY-TDvW8BNvbKnbh8IFqI-E09JKqT2UZwG9kp-LllAuv2tk7IfQmCkYWjOiNdN4CyZkkUoOfU4UYk9NeUrgRbNqfuWpNgQIShlIV2NjSshpDEtZCIbExUAM-lRVj5ImP8bt1GvNkiPUYedkioby-_aPwvFFN8cUulp2Z/s2662/14.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2662" data-original-width="2000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCIOKjhmXhno3UIFBcbTcaMGFUoY-TDvW8BNvbKnbh8IFqI-E09JKqT2UZwG9kp-LllAuv2tk7IfQmCkYWjOiNdN4CyZkkUoOfU4UYk9NeUrgRbNqfuWpNgQIShlIV2NjSshpDEtZCIbExUAM-lRVj5ImP8bt1GvNkiPUYedkioby-_aPwvFFN8cUulp2Z/w480-h640/14.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh2p7HC1QgmGBCW2nlney2fhZLDDwaNOOznuA7deywT-DBe16BbkovxwCc0eUeNq6QhfbzgLRKjjERcFgS7fHeFw9bgpKCEJHvs-KAy6kBuwzWSdlKJoqlk8VsLy-YkAASLVtd7k21298AjotthmZNnR0jGAl5u2xi-qFPk04Mycx6kEhJ9lAC28wSHTcZ/s2666/15.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2666" data-original-width="2000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh2p7HC1QgmGBCW2nlney2fhZLDDwaNOOznuA7deywT-DBe16BbkovxwCc0eUeNq6QhfbzgLRKjjERcFgS7fHeFw9bgpKCEJHvs-KAy6kBuwzWSdlKJoqlk8VsLy-YkAASLVtd7k21298AjotthmZNnR0jGAl5u2xi-qFPk04Mycx6kEhJ9lAC28wSHTcZ/w480-h640/15.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRsxixDhoiIpUCKj92qE0YGIKpNYruXAt57LjBYZztAsKDynOUxhkbR6XDkm0qKcP8ccbXLMO27bWqBwM_yE0fr_CQpKK2nWW8YrFt3jK8wOCgFHGi8mZwqD8Gnox1m2cb4PFmpxpgw9850fJPth7jt_H_QaXdZ8CixO-UElv-49q7zOMCQlZKpROGnLv6/s5341/16.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5341" data-original-width="4000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRsxixDhoiIpUCKj92qE0YGIKpNYruXAt57LjBYZztAsKDynOUxhkbR6XDkm0qKcP8ccbXLMO27bWqBwM_yE0fr_CQpKK2nWW8YrFt3jK8wOCgFHGi8mZwqD8Gnox1m2cb4PFmpxpgw9850fJPth7jt_H_QaXdZ8CixO-UElv-49q7zOMCQlZKpROGnLv6/w480-h640/16.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR1bvDyxokn4slAm2TYsxdJKGf1P6UAqGugZR0nsl64z5Mb5dbBELDAwuRb_YVbsQIFWkM_aGgzIQbxt9CXtjW4D6BxOuN_zLImPY4K8arVohcdeCMShN4WqPq88N1P6myifiAmGFX7bERb0863ldfCb8HVENMzDfz0WS9zlUwJL2A6CiNu7I6qx_dVpgr/s2000/17.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR1bvDyxokn4slAm2TYsxdJKGf1P6UAqGugZR0nsl64z5Mb5dbBELDAwuRb_YVbsQIFWkM_aGgzIQbxt9CXtjW4D6BxOuN_zLImPY4K8arVohcdeCMShN4WqPq88N1P6myifiAmGFX7bERb0863ldfCb8HVENMzDfz0WS9zlUwJL2A6CiNu7I6qx_dVpgr/w400-h266/17.jpg" width="400" /></a></b></div><b> </b>Overlooking the main town across the Rangpo river, excavation work continues on the W Bengal side of Rangpo on 29Oct2023. (Photo credit: Praveen)<b><br /></b><p></p><p><b>Singtam </b>(27 13 42.5 N 88 29 34.6 E) Elev: 347m</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4XU26pi1KRKTZOuWJmXfTaxI2MJU5GrQaI3T9ZK5LzCabVjWRWRf2qXKJRe3mDCejBhPgbpbrGIWb0n6ZFuM6_XGDOAzzREYz0tYbtBbHBALvyfRcx68_y303E8e3p2i5VO95cgVMTxqz5IF5RV4yHRVGMbjvd6svF6WFQwoMg4iZNThQ4fgy8Su_OFLx/s2000/singtam.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1140" data-original-width="2000" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4XU26pi1KRKTZOuWJmXfTaxI2MJU5GrQaI3T9ZK5LzCabVjWRWRf2qXKJRe3mDCejBhPgbpbrGIWb0n6ZFuM6_XGDOAzzREYz0tYbtBbHBALvyfRcx68_y303E8e3p2i5VO95cgVMTxqz5IF5RV4yHRVGMbjvd6svF6WFQwoMg4iZNThQ4fgy8Su_OFLx/w400-h228/singtam.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Singtam is the business hub centre of Sikkim with much of the supplies going thru this town. The GLOF of 04Oct2023 caused severe and extensive damage in the Singtam region (Adarsh Gaon, Lal Bazar and Goli Tar). <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLJ-4dctWmRQ-FDUrEkKJQHGnXsTi6d61FOlLSNchfZrs_bOSQFCajPYm2ItR99RNb9lZrx_P2t2CJ7-Tt1j6yJvJVmOiCmNuZj2fUWiX7231k-MtS9D3wD8GTCyPRn1HHHao-YsQ-kErDvA3WjDKZ1G8ksDkpFf1qF8M42Ay6w3MPbcvCM8sxMbMq29sN/s2000/18.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLJ-4dctWmRQ-FDUrEkKJQHGnXsTi6d61FOlLSNchfZrs_bOSQFCajPYm2ItR99RNb9lZrx_P2t2CJ7-Tt1j6yJvJVmOiCmNuZj2fUWiX7231k-MtS9D3wD8GTCyPRn1HHHao-YsQ-kErDvA3WjDKZ1G8ksDkpFf1qF8M42Ay6w3MPbcvCM8sxMbMq29sN/w400-h266/18.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Adarsh Gaon (see photo of 21Aug2019 above) always had a history of flirting with floods because it is located on the banks of the Teesta. Residents of this place squarely blamed dam operations as the cause of the periodic flooding which takes place here.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSJhTsBj1jS_kVgTCBPlz06nwGqQ4BxoOjElOhZxkHtuqmsmcykRj4C_MiOJW_oEWJXGkYnWoreBJVangIiz5nGGU7RTVc7e6OM-wyxamQHaY_QKa0UFhIJ_AAmX4UkD7kQeDvsw4qD4bVyLxruGdaI3Qrz-L7C_fcmM3pzLVW8D1zDMn-opYbUsx74cJH/s2000/18a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSJhTsBj1jS_kVgTCBPlz06nwGqQ4BxoOjElOhZxkHtuqmsmcykRj4C_MiOJW_oEWJXGkYnWoreBJVangIiz5nGGU7RTVc7e6OM-wyxamQHaY_QKa0UFhIJ_AAmX4UkD7kQeDvsw4qD4bVyLxruGdaI3Qrz-L7C_fcmM3pzLVW8D1zDMn-opYbUsx74cJH/w400-h266/18a.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Adarsh Gaon after the GLOF. The level of the flood waters can be clearly seen as can be noticed the sand being removed from the apartments where the river entered.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgruEHmHv88cXhkTms2GbDFLvaZA0OGbX2qepSNIHsMd5uq-r3DVjwyJRKZ-Pi-SRBrGqHVwqnAnHtEMBc-TNHW7Squ8pH1MCgO0PJycHUp1S6M3uuMpYrL25XIgHXZNcnSAuIe2soeYw8HoUaG2BWQe6W61veGU-A34Yj1wuwXnD0eCvQ4EtyWlboFtYPW/s1440/19.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1440" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgruEHmHv88cXhkTms2GbDFLvaZA0OGbX2qepSNIHsMd5uq-r3DVjwyJRKZ-Pi-SRBrGqHVwqnAnHtEMBc-TNHW7Squ8pH1MCgO0PJycHUp1S6M3uuMpYrL25XIgHXZNcnSAuIe2soeYw8HoUaG2BWQe6W61veGU-A34Yj1wuwXnD0eCvQ4EtyWlboFtYPW/w400-h225/19.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Indreni bridge connecting Singtam (Lal Bazar) to Adrash Gaon during happier times.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj83D7hQumiYhycfNh9xx-cRWc84r46_hNncIiIz99p3KM4IW6UBm659kIUOOgG_kDKP28Tegt1Fk7yV5RmRWw-emNODeYpBuYIDgrgExBTciNQ5be0X6GcFdCwMv7QwApPmtyLL8AkcR_cwxeSWxqvKZmFs7ekHREWEupDtw3kczIYMhHLwWH_LZwf8TWU/s2000/19b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj83D7hQumiYhycfNh9xx-cRWc84r46_hNncIiIz99p3KM4IW6UBm659kIUOOgG_kDKP28Tegt1Fk7yV5RmRWw-emNODeYpBuYIDgrgExBTciNQ5be0X6GcFdCwMv7QwApPmtyLL8AkcR_cwxeSWxqvKZmFs7ekHREWEupDtw3kczIYMhHLwWH_LZwf8TWU/w400-h266/19b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Where Indreni bridge once stood. The savagery of the floodwaters is evident from the steel rods of the supporting pillar which have been ripped off and bent. (Lal bazar, Singtam)<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi06fiZC2opMTRF_c4QVNl0sKslcERfQQIMhDt-BPK9Qf4jv9hDlBLouZ9dUMeUVdKDOsmR2ciNHVomrj8cfTvNbLbGqn786p9249gl8xmlnG0_E24K6B7_Mf0khnE-nTH7vJeTJyY4PNhx9K-I97uI8xuymtk2YpWN5Cf0_D-6qBb1QVIaydVtpYxr_Wig/s2000/19a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="2000" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi06fiZC2opMTRF_c4QVNl0sKslcERfQQIMhDt-BPK9Qf4jv9hDlBLouZ9dUMeUVdKDOsmR2ciNHVomrj8cfTvNbLbGqn786p9249gl8xmlnG0_E24K6B7_Mf0khnE-nTH7vJeTJyY4PNhx9K-I97uI8xuymtk2YpWN5Cf0_D-6qBb1QVIaydVtpYxr_Wig/w400-h225/19a.jpg" width="400" /></a><br /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This mangled remains of Indreni bridge has been swept almost 200m downstream by the GLOF<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwGKZBpq6fQrFeRQXpaDQxWeJz58_8H6Yp_lGWYCSDVAoBu2jv-S_cFgPOBzB6bowXtSbeJK86TfRKtbKDxcqwTTmAnAmH6RaF0DrtM1SbGj_cI7BrzTlVkJRktySzaVj6jrCI_zDbSjZ6t_X7JmmM2mWUnvSZX11BJm3gg7vXywKNTvXgrStPn7hXO5cd/s2000/20.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwGKZBpq6fQrFeRQXpaDQxWeJz58_8H6Yp_lGWYCSDVAoBu2jv-S_cFgPOBzB6bowXtSbeJK86TfRKtbKDxcqwTTmAnAmH6RaF0DrtM1SbGj_cI7BrzTlVkJRktySzaVj6jrCI_zDbSjZ6t_X7JmmM2mWUnvSZX11BJm3gg7vXywKNTvXgrStPn7hXO5cd/w400-h300/20.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Clean up and excavation operations in progress at Goli Tar, Singtam. As per a panchayat representative, 56 homes were severely damaged by the GLOF here but heeding to the alert from friends and the police, people rushed upto the 'hospital area' - as such there was no loss of life.(Drone image by Praveen)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVXPdkaStbYbFQOUWkiv53-uR_azto0gin6G5TyfNOsXfYmKhClHeZbKZ-Om79EmUeZNzJEaqWD6SoyUqY4ymfse0NgAdEn-31uiu8wgHaoPqX0CSn4PAKgucIVWeBmGwG9mfG46Xhyphenhyphen7lAmJjI9T3PTdMddGYnmxXpOOjedqMHG9Q-uNa5iB59eq87TpY3/s2000/21.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVXPdkaStbYbFQOUWkiv53-uR_azto0gin6G5TyfNOsXfYmKhClHeZbKZ-Om79EmUeZNzJEaqWD6SoyUqY4ymfse0NgAdEn-31uiu8wgHaoPqX0CSn4PAKgucIVWeBmGwG9mfG46Xhyphenhyphen7lAmJjI9T3PTdMddGYnmxXpOOjedqMHG9Q-uNa5iB59eq87TpY3/w400-h266/21.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">A severely damaged home at Goli Tar, SIngtam.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYKzKVjhyXKY2BIpb1y60bdUeCPt91erwMs6QbQ_uDm2ag26QKpxXZnAKd0l-VriqAblxVhrRBs9IpcD2ZQ6IM1Uo-4pz14s7N7mcmhTEQ7eh-hoaOBDgSgu2VroJhyphenhypheni0mQlfhPySUzFw9temFoif0LRqxnEOOyIwSRzutqRokzI6ZYLea2hQpYjiMUgFo/s2000/22.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYKzKVjhyXKY2BIpb1y60bdUeCPt91erwMs6QbQ_uDm2ag26QKpxXZnAKd0l-VriqAblxVhrRBs9IpcD2ZQ6IM1Uo-4pz14s7N7mcmhTEQ7eh-hoaOBDgSgu2VroJhyphenhypheni0mQlfhPySUzFw9temFoif0LRqxnEOOyIwSRzutqRokzI6ZYLea2hQpYjiMUgFo/w400-h266/22.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>At all affected places, we observed a frantic effort by people to get their lives back to normalcy. Heavy machines were continuously dredging out sand, dump trucks ferrying it to the river bank and people tirelessly shoveling out sludge from their homes. Here a temple is being excavated at Goli Tar, Singtam.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSE9XD8WAXiGrtfH-ekHgK9ROePMBLce_Vjn_6qtDgPoz7AyD-U7_ViypH3TtpzEMOj2mrMj_RnZFlqSx8SS6DP9Iq_9Ce50Yq59OYbbztpKR4c2Kz3QzU6ROGrdzmfUqHb_6h_ZmZ8ayxPK7BU6cdCG9kb3xmTUagNfrYh93uizhP2zxO1-nnFAiNPWIJ/s2000/23.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSE9XD8WAXiGrtfH-ekHgK9ROePMBLce_Vjn_6qtDgPoz7AyD-U7_ViypH3TtpzEMOj2mrMj_RnZFlqSx8SS6DP9Iq_9Ce50Yq59OYbbztpKR4c2Kz3QzU6ROGrdzmfUqHb_6h_ZmZ8ayxPK7BU6cdCG9kb3xmTUagNfrYh93uizhP2zxO1-nnFAiNPWIJ/w400-h266/23.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Vehicles which were excavated from the river at Goli Tar, Singtam. A person I talked to reported seeing vehicles with headlights 'ON' floating down a wall of water at 3am.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGcVj2oVtIcHdau6-FFljs1ECQoCB5F6xodf7U1SdTki4PLB0Qrdu_hFS8VbIiubHIJcudP2T_8WRFRlEoYh_-fysGPqouNj3UshNjL422tot3NU7QPL9fpWB2poGTjiBeW0GMnN2u0Ovu3SLNZdS99hmC1b8Du_1sl2h8R8CYqJ6fH3oNWFlDV7PkecrI/s2000/24.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGcVj2oVtIcHdau6-FFljs1ECQoCB5F6xodf7U1SdTki4PLB0Qrdu_hFS8VbIiubHIJcudP2T_8WRFRlEoYh_-fysGPqouNj3UshNjL422tot3NU7QPL9fpWB2poGTjiBeW0GMnN2u0Ovu3SLNZdS99hmC1b8Du_1sl2h8R8CYqJ6fH3oNWFlDV7PkecrI/w400-h266/24.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Damaged heavy electrical equipment at Goli Tar, Singtam.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgScqydMdr5K1ezsvRdQlkhPGpprfg-77OiCirGak9lc5F9CYwlqMy8MTjK8mCQ27p7V9lJ1B5g-LYPorejb7m8kVu51_1Mjp_ObxUpgKeFqmGTKOB9_nWs4U80lqFG0sf46QGPqDy6mklEt7dVKvSSkMw-0ygoVZV5gFXckkW_XzufKkq3Vu86tR6aXkS1/s2000/25.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgScqydMdr5K1ezsvRdQlkhPGpprfg-77OiCirGak9lc5F9CYwlqMy8MTjK8mCQ27p7V9lJ1B5g-LYPorejb7m8kVu51_1Mjp_ObxUpgKeFqmGTKOB9_nWs4U80lqFG0sf46QGPqDy6mklEt7dVKvSSkMw-0ygoVZV5gFXckkW_XzufKkq3Vu86tR6aXkS1/w400-h266/25.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Three weeks after the GLOF of Oct2023, the flood waters had still not dried out in some shops in Lal Bazar, SIngtam. As per a panchayat official, more than 120 houses/shops were severely damaged by the GLOF event in Lal Bazar, while 30 houses were totally washed away by the river.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXBRFzjAUg3-bhmnhJbpARSAoX4CrCZeYFbFWPAKL1kFyTrj3XoE3AqByfGJoPdv-xXq0ImoH-wGbRSHE8ypzj8Xthz2ZfCjvj9Amncdw_ltXRnbRWlGAv1fK2Qa8C7gtjoyvnAM27ZYZ-TOqxJ3P_m2le6fq8t2EOnGC9FL498ZbiWafO6uYc5-JPZR3j/s2000/26.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXBRFzjAUg3-bhmnhJbpARSAoX4CrCZeYFbFWPAKL1kFyTrj3XoE3AqByfGJoPdv-xXq0ImoH-wGbRSHE8ypzj8Xthz2ZfCjvj9Amncdw_ltXRnbRWlGAv1fK2Qa8C7gtjoyvnAM27ZYZ-TOqxJ3P_m2le6fq8t2EOnGC9FL498ZbiWafO6uYc5-JPZR3j/w400-h266/26.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Literally picking up pieces of their lives, traders in Lal Bazar, salvage whatever they can from their shop which the GLOF engulfed.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvzD3NOjlU55_eux9-w8twcchNw3ykjo9Y_Hdnzxab1UYEe-o7KkCRlmDnvUj_nAzb3IS3XIbuVpXLhnAdiRkiKL9k9ilnz9nTsH6JkS_jfevjIWoBGC7hgjzHER9sBhFhUfaTs3QD_yUwU7y6A7h4z9548dOxMl_KjVg6zbr994aqdruFdrtmXC545OuU/s2000/27.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvzD3NOjlU55_eux9-w8twcchNw3ykjo9Y_Hdnzxab1UYEe-o7KkCRlmDnvUj_nAzb3IS3XIbuVpXLhnAdiRkiKL9k9ilnz9nTsH6JkS_jfevjIWoBGC7hgjzHER9sBhFhUfaTs3QD_yUwU7y6A7h4z9548dOxMl_KjVg6zbr994aqdruFdrtmXC545OuU/w400-h266/27.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Sludge being dug out from heavily populated business areas of Singtam, Sikkim on 29Oct2023<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>DIkchu NHPC Teesta Stage V dam and Dikchu town </b>(27 23 12.0 N 88 30 18.0 E) Elev: 591.8m<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0HmsGpgcWnXbhXuCNvApXyUOU9WMM9oRI588tz7X8DJWfW-LRSDkQ6LEJL0XzSzaOR0eB558wVthyYf_EOWO6wEBzxhf21FuJI9b4tSHHg1LjKvlHocd4xm4aLdr7KBtFRLooehyphenhyphenTwz6VYLSef-vEpBlE7PymrJTUzprE9-_PXXawf_qtiAz-_Z8QrjIm/s2000/Dikchu.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1353" data-original-width="2000" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0HmsGpgcWnXbhXuCNvApXyUOU9WMM9oRI588tz7X8DJWfW-LRSDkQ6LEJL0XzSzaOR0eB558wVthyYf_EOWO6wEBzxhf21FuJI9b4tSHHg1LjKvlHocd4xm4aLdr7KBtFRLooehyphenhyphenTwz6VYLSef-vEpBlE7PymrJTUzprE9-_PXXawf_qtiAz-_Z8QrjIm/w400-h270/Dikchu.jpg" width="400" /></a><span class="s-0"><br />The Teesta Stage V dam at Dikchu is the first major dam after the Sikkim Urja dam (Stage III) at Chungthang (Elevation: 5500')<br /></span><span class="s-1">The Stage V Dikchu dam (elevation 1940') is approx 33km from Chungthang and located in a steep, narrow rocky gorge.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR7MDeYmdfn-UamBafqxMDTDfACiiY3niES3qJHWCSL-2qJaz0CO7wPtknIPbKliqSR58u_hyjnSS7t18VgK_k-fSjEI2C6jtSAYlLj5jxHXt-k2aSf8LyHz5WXPIZ9fcMD_s5w19fYZxYo2LqzdUidF5iuwiy2H3YAYOBjXlzKhQCYY3RrpTLqliV00IY/s2000/32.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1495" data-original-width="2000" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR7MDeYmdfn-UamBafqxMDTDfACiiY3niES3qJHWCSL-2qJaz0CO7wPtknIPbKliqSR58u_hyjnSS7t18VgK_k-fSjEI2C6jtSAYlLj5jxHXt-k2aSf8LyHz5WXPIZ9fcMD_s5w19fYZxYo2LqzdUidF5iuwiy2H3YAYOBjXlzKhQCYY3RrpTLqliV00IY/w400-h299/32.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">NHPC Dikchu Stage V (510 MW) dam on 09Jan2023 (Photo credit: Praveen)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib05ttuerb1Je-cJyC7zQYlJZZ9LZ-s9REGN40TCFv-TY2pVoYcbCYrvQJZs7TtHT4uyfYO8CBSBpDIviZCtGPuY9S0SK_oF3PvTYb5xNdpXE5w9WeTEbdFKLIR4HZWYoT0IrJat79oR0fhVxj8vmTvTajyvUoNutzH4RCQQkcZnW7hXLhsaPxQvlwfhyphenhyphena/s2000/31.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1504" data-original-width="2000" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib05ttuerb1Je-cJyC7zQYlJZZ9LZ-s9REGN40TCFv-TY2pVoYcbCYrvQJZs7TtHT4uyfYO8CBSBpDIviZCtGPuY9S0SK_oF3PvTYb5xNdpXE5w9WeTEbdFKLIR4HZWYoT0IrJat79oR0fhVxj8vmTvTajyvUoNutzH4RCQQkcZnW7hXLhsaPxQvlwfhyphenhyphena/w400-h301/31.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Drone image on 29Oct2023 (Photo credit: Praveen)<br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij4u1F6K0yz_yC9g8rwB9F65mgfl_jRZDyZUQuQCaerwCRJ0YdHbnM91SUQ9ZXCwgszA4vRRbl6AEy-hNrxUGi8BJQCKK60g8IXCeZdw4UorAb1PUDdYxsuKgR3ZslGFqyTMkxTx7LkXK55yPT8M2vOXtN2cdbSMZDzoxYlERbGmBnMK6PTQEsLRjLIPaf/s2000/28.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij4u1F6K0yz_yC9g8rwB9F65mgfl_jRZDyZUQuQCaerwCRJ0YdHbnM91SUQ9ZXCwgszA4vRRbl6AEy-hNrxUGi8BJQCKK60g8IXCeZdw4UorAb1PUDdYxsuKgR3ZslGFqyTMkxTx7LkXK55yPT8M2vOXtN2cdbSMZDzoxYlERbGmBnMK6PTQEsLRjLIPaf/w400-h266/28.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Another view of NHPC Dikchu Stage V (510 MW) dam on 27Mar2023 when <a href="http://savethehills.blogspot.com/2023/03/savethehills-survey-of-landslides-near.html">we visited Dikchu town</a> to investigate a landslide.<br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;">Look carefully and you will notice which structures at the dam site were damaged by the GLOF on 04Oct2023 in the following photos.👇<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx4hTJ216Qz1Uay4faTzGR4ZAdywP19H2l3lI7raWhDXeIbYeHf4qp4_CHwJ6LY4kRrFwjng5pwfHPmqBhJuNoDjpczuFcF19GKMtqGEGLmS0m4_XY7h6X9Zqn2II9j7MUziOZyLksJStx9jPpRhQeM18BJAyfxiFMBME4RtZ5eVx0x43P72j8mSZkyCQq/s2000/39.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx4hTJ216Qz1Uay4faTzGR4ZAdywP19H2l3lI7raWhDXeIbYeHf4qp4_CHwJ6LY4kRrFwjng5pwfHPmqBhJuNoDjpczuFcF19GKMtqGEGLmS0m4_XY7h6X9Zqn2II9j7MUziOZyLksJStx9jPpRhQeM18BJAyfxiFMBME4RtZ5eVx0x43P72j8mSZkyCQq/w400-h266/39.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Blocked tunnels located a short distance downstream from the dam along the river bank.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj78CxoK6h2FK0Xzhdp_XO9Nxd4P5guHTmjSGhpp9_rvPWqKGPrWPR7Bz6bqXyTLAGdNPZ-s9r-JpmaJuz0VjKBQR8-P3y_m6ykTyu8dUIyFbBYidWe9fGcnt5raDjWO91_HbJlnMBUqoQlSEXxG0MGivFZbfFiH-vFbgh1-3RBAjNYDsx9DqvsKJfXgwYb/s2000/40.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj78CxoK6h2FK0Xzhdp_XO9Nxd4P5guHTmjSGhpp9_rvPWqKGPrWPR7Bz6bqXyTLAGdNPZ-s9r-JpmaJuz0VjKBQR8-P3y_m6ykTyu8dUIyFbBYidWe9fGcnt5raDjWO91_HbJlnMBUqoQlSEXxG0MGivFZbfFiH-vFbgh1-3RBAjNYDsx9DqvsKJfXgwYb/w400-h266/40.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Teesta river and the Stage V dam at Dikchu on 29Oct2023.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhoJVpZz42k5RNQ83MShNxyK5C95faIFn8YdQPOOgd-GuOgc3k-3o-vbEGmN5eBiaPMrLji-8SRMeSN4qSlNZksadhPPyB8yG3Sb7NfzlKO4eKizGR1a-M9bp0ctyOUb2tcQfADj46uRMUTbCiAAupG-V2AI2N4DX_twGAo3A6J6htpbRkmyM81ChB3SaE/s1875/dikchu2.tif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1038" data-original-width="1875" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhoJVpZz42k5RNQ83MShNxyK5C95faIFn8YdQPOOgd-GuOgc3k-3o-vbEGmN5eBiaPMrLji-8SRMeSN4qSlNZksadhPPyB8yG3Sb7NfzlKO4eKizGR1a-M9bp0ctyOUb2tcQfADj46uRMUTbCiAAupG-V2AI2N4DX_twGAo3A6J6htpbRkmyM81ChB3SaE/w400-h221/dikchu2.tif" width="400" /></a></div>Stage V dam at Dikchu on 29Oct2023.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfJdeXGWnkOGdJHSWEUqikZ-fuMOVKyyhNGLBGBe8kk3l8xJwhsZkm07YmzVGcjIF1h4hBJAgOv4pBVkneDpuOAVCdwfvaOKwGKQehBQwggqt5LtJ45Og9u3Di_i1Mc6vyGwdWwgCIzD1NECwOY6sNAvrKPlYzqvWjS-T84QPLjhUcU7ksnXzMdwXxTshg/s1881/dikchu.tif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1053" data-original-width="1881" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfJdeXGWnkOGdJHSWEUqikZ-fuMOVKyyhNGLBGBe8kk3l8xJwhsZkm07YmzVGcjIF1h4hBJAgOv4pBVkneDpuOAVCdwfvaOKwGKQehBQwggqt5LtJ45Og9u3Di_i1Mc6vyGwdWwgCIzD1NECwOY6sNAvrKPlYzqvWjS-T84QPLjhUcU7ksnXzMdwXxTshg/w400-h224/dikchu.tif" width="400" /></a></div>Stage V dam at Dikchu on 29Oct2023.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDFp_W1r1lsRn7u46heczTB0GIJLNrDoWPnEcUSlLPEGwBd-_LjBk7WsYuo3K-Jpi6e388DYSBNhfr0xKtF8mp5ZkZiY9Bzj-xfAip2cxoGPh5nVKplhkiw1rwseidypw5lc8q-W8oujp1gqmw4kzqqQU4NQzFhaYhZX23oy_vJ0lrCwXjf4eDjySGsIgb/s2000/29.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDFp_W1r1lsRn7u46heczTB0GIJLNrDoWPnEcUSlLPEGwBd-_LjBk7WsYuo3K-Jpi6e388DYSBNhfr0xKtF8mp5ZkZiY9Bzj-xfAip2cxoGPh5nVKplhkiw1rwseidypw5lc8q-W8oujp1gqmw4kzqqQU4NQzFhaYhZX23oy_vJ0lrCwXjf4eDjySGsIgb/w400-h266/29.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>The Control Gates on top of the dam which had been opened apparently before the GLOF ; all three had a huge amount of debris strewn all over and around them.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOeNl__NmqtfkbEiiFRB_w4yS5y4JZpoO1R59ljGGvxeBAelUG9dGDxY2nke0hS5t5AQgQCXYi7568_WvEMTMqytJKFbCLDWNT8c2hUBVa7l00AIJ9LJ-emKh8EVbFYtjtCrQu7PWt1Ww4BLyR_q_jL5byXM_VMvekX175rM0r6z8N_KT8cYr54_rR_Daf/s2000/30.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOeNl__NmqtfkbEiiFRB_w4yS5y4JZpoO1R59ljGGvxeBAelUG9dGDxY2nke0hS5t5AQgQCXYi7568_WvEMTMqytJKFbCLDWNT8c2hUBVa7l00AIJ9LJ-emKh8EVbFYtjtCrQu7PWt1Ww4BLyR_q_jL5byXM_VMvekX175rM0r6z8N_KT8cYr54_rR_Daf/w400-h266/30.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Large tree trunks, sludge and other debris around this structure which is on top of the dam.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXpeIOmSF9hIacdJKsvAOhPIooXjdJ3PvQyLSBRcbw_jfOqProSdmVoX0_FGmSsJ5zYYyUued9N-2eWKyBOETyrMPjmIsEMoMpqspqPWeoREwwt-1T-MAjkXVMZqXHaN98a7m7nydiPYVkIsbgUKlH2mA2T_HI_XsOroI7SMIP9nW1k_R0ZVUBsUlrHjpE/s2000/33.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXpeIOmSF9hIacdJKsvAOhPIooXjdJ3PvQyLSBRcbw_jfOqProSdmVoX0_FGmSsJ5zYYyUued9N-2eWKyBOETyrMPjmIsEMoMpqspqPWeoREwwt-1T-MAjkXVMZqXHaN98a7m7nydiPYVkIsbgUKlH2mA2T_HI_XsOroI7SMIP9nW1k_R0ZVUBsUlrHjpE/w400-h266/33.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Two of the 3 control gates of the dam. All three were open but covered with unimaginable debris and sand.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJSHcI7oRg42viB-ZHYV9qLtLTZLuwv8E3oAD2-0JdafukELHgwFp332n5r5Vvt5zeA-FqRKMLI64w0JcZm7xLtykwd8zg_M077KI3sPEr-QqeqocEeZq3_aJpJYHiFyrNNyBRcyQMewXyBARadFEdUcB9xNpqznfrmrxfBa-vh9Eh2WvOJXTY18XX4AsS/s2000/34.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJSHcI7oRg42viB-ZHYV9qLtLTZLuwv8E3oAD2-0JdafukELHgwFp332n5r5Vvt5zeA-FqRKMLI64w0JcZm7xLtykwd8zg_M077KI3sPEr-QqeqocEeZq3_aJpJYHiFyrNNyBRcyQMewXyBARadFEdUcB9xNpqznfrmrxfBa-vh9Eh2WvOJXTY18XX4AsS/w400-h266/34.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>This appears to be some electrical component of the dam which was severely damaged if not destroyed. It is on top of the dam and visible in our photo of 27Mar2023.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaVB6CEx7arOLzEqPZDj_kL6PfVBOsGMdBcTf_-gFmMu3yzKJ0-d7csf2HB5Ac6L9pxMuFkpMoFWn4pFh7Os3fZH9d2z11VtpIFaRNrkoORyV3a57Pa4RJmwhkH5rISTepXdhDZ20wXmJhPZvePI72xAuwDmWwtZKwYuyE00lDVGBx4pjtN6tN8LIp9_oR/s2000/35.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaVB6CEx7arOLzEqPZDj_kL6PfVBOsGMdBcTf_-gFmMu3yzKJ0-d7csf2HB5Ac6L9pxMuFkpMoFWn4pFh7Os3fZH9d2z11VtpIFaRNrkoORyV3a57Pa4RJmwhkH5rISTepXdhDZ20wXmJhPZvePI72xAuwDmWwtZKwYuyE00lDVGBx4pjtN6tN8LIp9_oR/w400-h266/35.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span class="s-0">Sludge, tree stumps and roots, damaged or
destroyed components, all on top of the dam, dumped by the Teesta river
as it flowed over the dam for some time during the early morning hours
of 04Oct2023.<br /></span><br />Clearly, dams and particularly NHPC took a big hit during the GLOF of 04Oct2023.<br /><br /><b>Dikchu town </b>(27 24 4.1 N 88 31 12.1 E) Elev: 599.6m<br />This was the last place we visited on our survey on 29Oct2023. <br />Here several buildings and homes crumbled under the impact of the surging waters of the Teesta and a school ground and a temple was destroyed below the town. They received messages from their relatives and friends at around 12.30am on 04Oct2023 that 'the river was coming' and again they evacuated in pouring rain to a school located on higher ground and in pitch dark. Several Border Roads Organization personnel who were staying on rented home also lost everything as they moved to safer places at night. Many homes are cracked and unsafe in the town as per locals.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivP6kV5v0eN07HtkGw7aJXu9XD8o-EguuvFNmcaCALRyB2_Kx-wvkzLTDP8yX1E3qATSHmgOUTvscL-4iKoq31zFrq4wC2SmedA5_IKlPgZQwjNAc4hW6nxjSe38ClgSJZuM5aBq7i1DJUgJIGRniocQOnUxSoQLUxg_xJ3coOIT-AWaWeh0g-nWeLSxFy/s2000/36.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivP6kV5v0eN07HtkGw7aJXu9XD8o-EguuvFNmcaCALRyB2_Kx-wvkzLTDP8yX1E3qATSHmgOUTvscL-4iKoq31zFrq4wC2SmedA5_IKlPgZQwjNAc4hW6nxjSe38ClgSJZuM5aBq7i1DJUgJIGRniocQOnUxSoQLUxg_xJ3coOIT-AWaWeh0g-nWeLSxFy/w400-h266/36.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>A home which slid down as the river gnawed the base of the hill. This is in the centre of Dikchu town. Do note how precarious it has become for other homes on the edge.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheaRA0sN4s9JclZBXDANOFxeJ1Eiz5YNaKY3NI4mpHOy2PmV_i10Z1SeLX1rvK4A2znCr4zWe8NW_URVcuGy8sYTttGpcQXsQFbgFULVXRfOQpgPtCIeK08mhA32Ez1X_Vo_u7HBQ7t2bHc6pmJXRIqV5WbLClQu6cmyZ8W5vJK40-hTK5d8DjIP_XcWup/s2000/37.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheaRA0sN4s9JclZBXDANOFxeJ1Eiz5YNaKY3NI4mpHOy2PmV_i10Z1SeLX1rvK4A2znCr4zWe8NW_URVcuGy8sYTttGpcQXsQFbgFULVXRfOQpgPtCIeK08mhA32Ez1X_Vo_u7HBQ7t2bHc6pmJXRIqV5WbLClQu6cmyZ8W5vJK40-hTK5d8DjIP_XcWup/w400-h266/37.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>A new building which was still under construction rolled over as the Teesta river eroded the base. The river is still very close to Dikchu town.<br /><h3 style="text-align: left;"><b>A brief note and a reminder<br /></b></h3>Today, 04Nov2023 is exactly one month since South Lhonak lake, in the high Himalayas burst its banks and caused a GLOF. It was a mammoth and hopefully a rare event where a GLOF triggered a major dam burst which destroyed the lives and livelihoods of so many in our region. The economic cost also has been huge. Unfortunately, neither mainstream media nor our governments thought much of the event, which is another reason for worry - since we are all back to business as usual with highways cracked, parts of towns dangerously weakened, the Teesta flowing at a higher level and closer to many populated areas and so on.<br />And the next monsoons just 5 months away.<br />And things are changing on the ground too. After one month of clear, sunny weather (and onset of the festive season), the rivers are mercifully shrinking, the repairs are on, relief centres in Sikkim have been closed and affected people in Sikkim and Kalimpong district are trying to get on with their lives.<br />With this blog, we have tried to capture quickly all that happened in photographs before everything changes and we forget what was truly a major disaster in the Darjeeling- Sikkim Himalaya. Thus far we have covered only a small part of the affected areas between 27th Mile, Kalimpong district, W Bengal to Dikchu town in Sikkim and even that we have done very cursorily due to time and other constraints.<br />We will try to cover affected areas upto Chungthang before severe winter sets in.<br />My thanks to all the affected people who talked to us and we hope our photo essays on this event will help them in some way.<br /><br />Praful Rao<br />Kalimpong district<br />Darjeeling-Sikkim Himalaya<br />savethehills@gmail.com<br />with<br />Praveen Chhetri<br />Junkeri Studios<br /><span class="s-4">9733185815</span> <br /></div></div><br /> SaveTheHillshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02683050982473682760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3323953779460457291.post-56845482088392047032023-11-01T18:17:00.003+05:302023-11-05T07:39:43.897+05:30Photographic record (Part 1) of the impact of GLOF on parts of Teesta valley between Tar Khola and Dikchu - 22Oct2023<p><span class="s-0">What we people living along the Teesta valley in parts of Sikkim and Kalimpong district, witnessed in the early hours of 04Oct2023 was a rare,</span><span class="s-1"> dangerous
and a huge catastrophe, the size and scale of which thus far has escaped the attention of the
national media and many of us from Darjeeling - Sikkim Himalayas have also already forgotten it. </span><span class="s-2"> </span></p><p><span class="s-2">When the very turbulent waters of the glacier lake outburst flood (GLOF) from South Lhonak glacier located at 17,</span><span class="s-3">300
feet crashed into the already brimming reservoir of the 1200MW Sikkim
Urja Dam at Chungthang, the dam was quickly overwhelmed and crashed,
releasing a wall of water which was 10-15 feet high. </span><span class="s-4">This
deluge swept thru the Teesta valley, destroying everything in its 162km rampage from the glacier to Teesta Lo Dam Project at 27th Mile in
Kalimpong district.<br /></span><span class="s-5">The path of the GLOF with distances and elevations are plotted in 3 maps below:</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRhK4s-1ogaFELWpF8batwDvyUGFSphPhHSBA7mMSP6cq15-sgGgS01lmPFT61tr-Ddx8YXLC7CrbHlvZimC9uOceGEYIZ3rwsWD6RJmbmAk7d0mKAAn65WBNHaak8I8Q0eUZG-uVro_IbxRLy84MkXIK8rUnU-3RcyGJdnsqpe8q7AcCiqBHLyTHG4vsM/s2000/map2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1337" data-original-width="2000" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRhK4s-1ogaFELWpF8batwDvyUGFSphPhHSBA7mMSP6cq15-sgGgS01lmPFT61tr-Ddx8YXLC7CrbHlvZimC9uOceGEYIZ3rwsWD6RJmbmAk7d0mKAAn65WBNHaak8I8Q0eUZG-uVro_IbxRLy84MkXIK8rUnU-3RcyGJdnsqpe8q7AcCiqBHLyTHG4vsM/w400-h268/map2.jpg" width="400" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiKWJJwOlzcmyTb4Px8VnInRUM7mwqAveCWjq_vIgxQF1y6tlm1MaKAdSKX7otJIqw4KPsceXOXVv76vR5agnXdl3Z82MY50hZyesRfYq7FhrB7ybFMSqPCcOB1k54-LiMbV_uGWYjFlIGCnkSYkq6Dfot2wUNAGvICp2CamlA4iYsQwgCJc_ObpOsLWb0/s2000/map3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1334" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiKWJJwOlzcmyTb4Px8VnInRUM7mwqAveCWjq_vIgxQF1y6tlm1MaKAdSKX7otJIqw4KPsceXOXVv76vR5agnXdl3Z82MY50hZyesRfYq7FhrB7ybFMSqPCcOB1k54-LiMbV_uGWYjFlIGCnkSYkq6Dfot2wUNAGvICp2CamlA4iYsQwgCJc_ObpOsLWb0/w400-h266/map3.jpg" width="400" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKygnHXb4C2c5y9zmDG3ysk3GbnL5ZDx1RLz4lI4RfZ4CP2EFiv2LMdzokPV5lBcr0Gj6QnqR91aUTnzY5nfVApR2452iypaMalH_rXzVby0BWHebamuWL_dN9-RUEs6Rsvcu23E9QUa_DLac5B3DJeDhJIHxMHx0ntx7M_ew1i0RB_h7hyUqNSvAGJu0D/s2000/map4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKygnHXb4C2c5y9zmDG3ysk3GbnL5ZDx1RLz4lI4RfZ4CP2EFiv2LMdzokPV5lBcr0Gj6QnqR91aUTnzY5nfVApR2452iypaMalH_rXzVby0BWHebamuWL_dN9-RUEs6Rsvcu23E9QUa_DLac5B3DJeDhJIHxMHx0ntx7M_ew1i0RB_h7hyUqNSvAGJu0D/w400-h266/map4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span class="s-4"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="s-4">In order to preserve records of this historic disaster, STH has blogged extensively on the flooding. In continuation, on 29Oct2023, our small team consisting of Praveen (Junkeri Studios, Kalimpong) and I travelled to Dikchu (see route) to photograph the damage.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUqD3tglyx_LL2aP3qHWKf7Y9Z67hXVwhDKEIrCvhzxs7iEKDcYFLnpE8B3HMDrSmSofNbxv7XvN9VXBk4KwM1C1HoMUwdQ3djyXEWHuxT7c3EVE3H-on0cygvpOhN4Y_UIBIqR0z7pf5ochP-LstAUKjPD3G4w9AIKe37zizxMGjqE2ce4OnY7zcwUySE/s2000/route.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUqD3tglyx_LL2aP3qHWKf7Y9Z67hXVwhDKEIrCvhzxs7iEKDcYFLnpE8B3HMDrSmSofNbxv7XvN9VXBk4KwM1C1HoMUwdQ3djyXEWHuxT7c3EVE3H-on0cygvpOhN4Y_UIBIqR0z7pf5ochP-LstAUKjPD3G4w9AIKe37zizxMGjqE2ce4OnY7zcwUySE/w400-h300/route.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="s-4"><b>Tar Khola </b>(27 07 53.1 N 88 30 6.4 E Elev: 264m)<b><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDY93NSKcqN1VQ2nl96O6lrQUMC5oOwYRwXrlYth3ciLdLLyoTt7DRIaLx9pzJsk54I5xZ49PhnTu2iZQsHj7ZQfGA3muRoCi4dK9KKo5R26PswLK_L_JPxemQCwVPSaDCg9ugcLmu1rnyccrYdCgnryuw2YAHu19wXlUUyPQIKU_Nkgd3DszI6OzkuZfj/s1871/GEarth.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1046" data-original-width="1871" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDY93NSKcqN1VQ2nl96O6lrQUMC5oOwYRwXrlYth3ciLdLLyoTt7DRIaLx9pzJsk54I5xZ49PhnTu2iZQsHj7ZQfGA3muRoCi4dK9KKo5R26PswLK_L_JPxemQCwVPSaDCg9ugcLmu1rnyccrYdCgnryuw2YAHu19wXlUUyPQIKU_Nkgd3DszI6OzkuZfj/w400-h224/GEarth.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></b>The W Bengal side had a few families who lived on the river bank. <br />Rajesh Tamang (41yrs), one of the victims said that 20 of them would not be alive today had it not been for the intervention of the W Bengal police who forced them to move to higher ground. 9 homes were swept away here.<br />On the opposite (Sikkim) bank, Patel Engineering had a large complex which was constructing the power house for the Teesta VI dam which is at Sirwani near Singtam. The GLOF took away everything and the company has suffered damages to the tune of Rs250crores.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ4k6z1ejtMYhTa5DwpU2M1G6YmcQ0xKZXJfARc4X4fYVIzcf7y76PvEe0_ybpwrGLJWb7DMZ9XnqEHHtGQiLNQjf5a1kSbe9KKxzbi3-fhTarEX6Ud4WKfNd6B8dz9Z0DV5Rk_u0_Gwn5k1BFuldp2KjO8CoWFNUlbDJuWMUnHzo6zqi_4Y4cImda7sto/s2000/1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1498" data-original-width="2000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ4k6z1ejtMYhTa5DwpU2M1G6YmcQ0xKZXJfARc4X4fYVIzcf7y76PvEe0_ybpwrGLJWb7DMZ9XnqEHHtGQiLNQjf5a1kSbe9KKxzbi3-fhTarEX6Ud4WKfNd6B8dz9Z0DV5Rk_u0_Gwn5k1BFuldp2KjO8CoWFNUlbDJuWMUnHzo6zqi_4Y4cImda7sto/w400-h300/1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZWmjLhPFwofRpV0bRBzwrhA-79QfohHGV3-lC64ziunroJup0R2G15pGDnz327IIta-mWTqAga18oLdKDSt4csWqxyloBwX289GzaViW42KP79IbDltUtE8H08TwA44pNZfxfLYGUFGUNjif4V49J4Vaogn4-1w7UlSlevbQ0WAQ4j5mRxi2sNyDqRnoq/s2000/2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1498" data-original-width="2000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZWmjLhPFwofRpV0bRBzwrhA-79QfohHGV3-lC64ziunroJup0R2G15pGDnz327IIta-mWTqAga18oLdKDSt4csWqxyloBwX289GzaViW42KP79IbDltUtE8H08TwA44pNZfxfLYGUFGUNjif4V49J4Vaogn4-1w7UlSlevbQ0WAQ4j5mRxi2sNyDqRnoq/w400-h300/2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="s-4">What is left of Patel Eng. complex at Tar Khola (Sikkim). Most of hardware and offices have been swept away by the GLOF (Drone images by Praveen).<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJE3k6h94RnClNH_UDOZuIZ5ZsEpbPmiztvU_MrLyrqAloTC-aPbVcuccJcDGE8jL_7VS5Ky1Kfpmuu54xpAWMqZAV2mWlGA269RdQM5EGbK3qe6DaBuVATGChFcxUZErVFpILuZo5fOCBSAJnUNDAQjyBQQOo1GPCHlTT1kNF8sDlg-w63O6oVi_hw2Gf/s2000/3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJE3k6h94RnClNH_UDOZuIZ5ZsEpbPmiztvU_MrLyrqAloTC-aPbVcuccJcDGE8jL_7VS5Ky1Kfpmuu54xpAWMqZAV2mWlGA269RdQM5EGbK3qe6DaBuVATGChFcxUZErVFpILuZo5fOCBSAJnUNDAQjyBQQOo1GPCHlTT1kNF8sDlg-w63O6oVi_hw2Gf/w400-h266/3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Mangled remains of NHPC's bridge over the Teesta at Tar Khola. The bridge was swept away by the GLOF.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLkK3RP04oeGJEcNRRunkfKSeakHbw0llAJGED3qMjVxIZtycdsl3sIfPKawteRwzj1-i8lawj66fHx_DkTPLo6-A1GXYCVE4aiKu2vfzfwRkf3cIEMbOxrE2WMyRUPXCRad5DMSJL2XwbsEkJIwpQHeX0Nvme4vRhf10zsnA4FN0kF99MP2G_1ceXL_9_/s2000/5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLkK3RP04oeGJEcNRRunkfKSeakHbw0llAJGED3qMjVxIZtycdsl3sIfPKawteRwzj1-i8lawj66fHx_DkTPLo6-A1GXYCVE4aiKu2vfzfwRkf3cIEMbOxrE2WMyRUPXCRad5DMSJL2XwbsEkJIwpQHeX0Nvme4vRhf10zsnA4FN0kF99MP2G_1ceXL_9_/w400-h266/5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>The pillars of NHPC's bridge over the Teesta at Tar Khola<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZS3J2moaDGmoWJANuF9eed-RJ4_ZS_7sNjDYNseqUd6sqFXzK35tMD0Yb_BVo0UEze0Q5Hjr3a3UjY2cxpZImXW2__ltrAMoP0i172zRKPLq3KHjPvrO8C0f7OEiolt6psPGCVJkscH6qu-xTJ3gQY2HexTo2B77uYDwklayk3W5vq5E1MlO05hNLkPGA/s2000/4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZS3J2moaDGmoWJANuF9eed-RJ4_ZS_7sNjDYNseqUd6sqFXzK35tMD0Yb_BVo0UEze0Q5Hjr3a3UjY2cxpZImXW2__ltrAMoP0i172zRKPLq3KHjPvrO8C0f7OEiolt6psPGCVJkscH6qu-xTJ3gQY2HexTo2B77uYDwklayk3W5vq5E1MlO05hNLkPGA/w400-h266/4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Partly destroyed parts of the Patel complex from the opposite bank<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIuVXg_Jk0eBIeWwjQdoEQE1UrQZRJ10vJLka3ib4rVPIjTKd62NPoH052j8ShpS70IH5BJqwmAcaRy2yk3mZIkXEF_0X3ijN1xa3Nwub0lvBv00I6fNfwTJPv2lCQ6G8dF1Gddh8y98R9935WgGNela8M2AwB7rwRkhZzS_5eg-6WQ-2Pn59XmD_EOhB8/s2000/6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIuVXg_Jk0eBIeWwjQdoEQE1UrQZRJ10vJLka3ib4rVPIjTKd62NPoH052j8ShpS70IH5BJqwmAcaRy2yk3mZIkXEF_0X3ijN1xa3Nwub0lvBv00I6fNfwTJPv2lCQ6G8dF1Gddh8y98R9935WgGNela8M2AwB7rwRkhZzS_5eg-6WQ-2Pn59XmD_EOhB8/w400-h266/6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>The human suffering from a disaster. A husband and wife team digging out parts of what was their home at Tar Khola in order to perhaps find some documents, some valuables?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqCq3m991caID0I5TA-KjDhq7-kpOeuX-dPL8X8teIDHynBskgxb26fThxnj0lq7xWh83orA8PKam3p3Ap7bsksd1bb5Bn_9p1JF5GQxqkDD2ZRs0NkVUZLe5uiRnHewLEOeyFQEtM5FmJxP_lZaCGTA80vZOGvLdOxU9UY_gfte7_aVdtwBxbAKb5DDWn/s2000/7.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqCq3m991caID0I5TA-KjDhq7-kpOeuX-dPL8X8teIDHynBskgxb26fThxnj0lq7xWh83orA8PKam3p3Ap7bsksd1bb5Bn_9p1JF5GQxqkDD2ZRs0NkVUZLe5uiRnHewLEOeyFQEtM5FmJxP_lZaCGTA80vZOGvLdOxU9UY_gfte7_aVdtwBxbAKb5DDWn/w400-h266/7.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>What the waters left behind - mud covered kitchen utensils in a home which was covered by the GLOF at Tar Khola.<br /><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="s-4"><b>Other places enroute to Singtam<br /></b>We stopped by at small places enroute to SIngtam to record the impact of the disaster<br /><b><br />Panchay Line</b> on NH10 (27 08 52.7 N 88 31 55.7 E) Elev: 266m<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjacCGW_wjVRFIB-XzGj8RyDR8iQtiX3Sj7p-sMWhCdGDvvIgR3w0pInMb5Mqr8GLGNhBuitDeFYjXRUGAcCZgXSwwDlx8nS-WzU6rGwLGdzAJmRL5BfivWsTsdhwSr5jDfD01zcxyBcJJT7H7dWYPdn4NQgzMJfwoNKaPl-0MIzfyVV_sE9Vwd7WIKONwY/s2000/8.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjacCGW_wjVRFIB-XzGj8RyDR8iQtiX3Sj7p-sMWhCdGDvvIgR3w0pInMb5Mqr8GLGNhBuitDeFYjXRUGAcCZgXSwwDlx8nS-WzU6rGwLGdzAJmRL5BfivWsTsdhwSr5jDfD01zcxyBcJJT7H7dWYPdn4NQgzMJfwoNKaPl-0MIzfyVV_sE9Vwd7WIKONwY/w400-h266/8.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Prannay Tamang (42yrs) of Panchay line related a rare success story, worth emulating: they heeded to the first warning and left their home with their documents etc, they even evacuated their vehicles parked in the low lying areas. What is more the 6 pigs out of seven escaped from their sty and survived the GLOF.<b><br />Where the excavated sand is being dumped </b>(27 08 14.1 N 88 30 46.4 E)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTxi6zPJ4GAvfjsSF5ZtbR2GXd_mAbN1CJ7AzTCgCTZZ2NA7ZyTzT78lFcvxOoNUE3kuiyeW8eoO1c9JqOe2WUkgPnbHj6jM7MVC7_ECiuMOs2iGR6eJlK_h9KK_qQ9ZlzrBcwKm0_LGS4q4nvk0aUPbH5hTOql5RvIM4AUIrqA0mb70IeLbsdcpjOoXBv/s2000/9.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTxi6zPJ4GAvfjsSF5ZtbR2GXd_mAbN1CJ7AzTCgCTZZ2NA7ZyTzT78lFcvxOoNUE3kuiyeW8eoO1c9JqOe2WUkgPnbHj6jM7MVC7_ECiuMOs2iGR6eJlK_h9KK_qQ9ZlzrBcwKm0_LGS4q4nvk0aUPbH5hTOql5RvIM4AUIrqA0mb70IeLbsdcpjOoXBv/w400-h266/9.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><b>Andheri </b>on NH10 (27 09 57.5 N 88 31 55.3 E) Elev: 300m<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_tOmAn4s9IXHvcfffU0-KCTt31Cb7MGxWSUIsGSIDusBvd2ilOgllCkuugVODD5Vsj8OP0UQJituO7PdQicitLhP-rBYVDa73bQLXgNO0QqPbVR8caOMh0naI83f9ubrZghnfAIp9ZoTOhR0RcZdtqA76iMMPqOEzXTagOcvuK9mxCyxxyNKvS3LuTBzn/s2000/10.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_tOmAn4s9IXHvcfffU0-KCTt31Cb7MGxWSUIsGSIDusBvd2ilOgllCkuugVODD5Vsj8OP0UQJituO7PdQicitLhP-rBYVDa73bQLXgNO0QqPbVR8caOMh0naI83f9ubrZghnfAIp9ZoTOhR0RcZdtqA76iMMPqOEzXTagOcvuK9mxCyxxyNKvS3LuTBzn/w400-h266/10.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Yogen Mangar (21yrs) student stands next to a massive tree trunk which the GLOF brought to his place while taking away his home.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvj33s9JxKkWckYw2FPK9AJZD-SgzAWGaqH0BBk4fmAMv_snI_8k_Ids48h4xXfQ0Jp0s09z_DzTEBVoXK0nmPUToOVyuTZYzZi-PD9cj3PhOAJnV6c77iNsmWRgDgacmvLkl9m4doRAbGOVW4AzHkWcPIoT-ZIbwRaT-CFXgBcTYv4aPDf5OPl2_74vyB/s2000/11.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="2000" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvj33s9JxKkWckYw2FPK9AJZD-SgzAWGaqH0BBk4fmAMv_snI_8k_Ids48h4xXfQ0Jp0s09z_DzTEBVoXK0nmPUToOVyuTZYzZi-PD9cj3PhOAJnV6c77iNsmWRgDgacmvLkl9m4doRAbGOVW4AzHkWcPIoT-ZIbwRaT-CFXgBcTYv4aPDf5OPl2_74vyB/w400-h225/11.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Millions of tree stumps litter the banks of the Teesta river and are stuffed in every crevice possible (especially of dams).<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFDZGIesKoPbpFedaXogL-Rs-eQlvtq0PHVI1hly7ew5k9fUJ3WbHVUAgMXdj_NDvMUcJ0NiBArHcijJH-H9R0fd8X7b0MSfA826rrmNoNEHVTgLnnYwXPjdJFe5aySGFmlUriygXxVqLPNIw00fJZKEQiAoJt1_Lt20mM-pqMw3CTeIUPMg2ItbVky23d/s2000/42.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFDZGIesKoPbpFedaXogL-Rs-eQlvtq0PHVI1hly7ew5k9fUJ3WbHVUAgMXdj_NDvMUcJ0NiBArHcijJH-H9R0fd8X7b0MSfA826rrmNoNEHVTgLnnYwXPjdJFe5aySGFmlUriygXxVqLPNIw00fJZKEQiAoJt1_Lt20mM-pqMw3CTeIUPMg2ItbVky23d/w400-h266/42.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD_0aBkwffk_VRB9BOQUeG7u7Id2jAhVIksprUFLPKBcnl1z44vKjDepYb4Yy-fZnsxRQU2zCigwCs1ikzG2rxuY0rQ0w2AKGHD46wMsYMNmRtkQGaj2LsBL84mL8wBHsDzzHaJQbMEwfr0mACdC4qrwf619NHMesw5lDFEevNcGL3pO5mQfmLnyfkBvtD/s2000/41.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD_0aBkwffk_VRB9BOQUeG7u7Id2jAhVIksprUFLPKBcnl1z44vKjDepYb4Yy-fZnsxRQU2zCigwCs1ikzG2rxuY0rQ0w2AKGHD46wMsYMNmRtkQGaj2LsBL84mL8wBHsDzzHaJQbMEwfr0mACdC4qrwf619NHMesw5lDFEevNcGL3pO5mQfmLnyfkBvtD/w400-h266/41.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Tree stumps in Teesta Stage VI dam at Sirwani, Singtam<br /> One of the biggest destructive impacts of the GLOF must be on the forests of Sikkim and W Bengal.<br /><br />The blog on our trip from Tar Khola to Dikchu being too long, I have divided it into Part I and Part II. This one covers only our trip upto Rangpo. <br />Part II (in a few days time) will cover Rangpo, Singtam and Dikchu<br /><br /><br />Praful Rao<br />Kalimpong district<br />Darjeeling -Sikkim Himalaya<br />savethehills@gmail.com<br />9475033744<br />with<br />Praveen Chhetri<br />Junkeri Studios<br />9733185815<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span><br /></div></div><p></p><p></p>SaveTheHillshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02683050982473682760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3323953779460457291.post-38355152674496325162023-10-24T18:49:00.017+05:302023-10-25T15:57:45.993+05:30Photographic record of the impact of GLOF on parts of Teesta valley between Teesta Bazar and NHPC's Teesta Low Dam Project (TLDP)III - 22Oct2023<h3 style="text-align: left;"><b>TEESTA BAZAR</b></h3>After NH10 from Teesta bazar towards Siliguri and Teesta - Darjeeling road was declared open for light vehicles (with restrictions in timings) on 21Oct2023, I made a trip to check the impact of the GLOF in areas shown below:<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9BUz5JGqhvp-7GiPdSm6uxry5bGzzx-b6efR2V0MpF6o0vfxA6_BeAZhX7UnzL7Pm9ayI59iPsQ22G6o405AYuAKIWkFGWxVB8z5Eh3AUUmGJLuc6GPZMgXDgWwfmp9eb5ozSKVrI-itBxCyAG4orLHya1ukgjAY7ZBNi6Ue6THoFqHn_7dkP-kl4hoxF/s1865/Map.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1865" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9BUz5JGqhvp-7GiPdSm6uxry5bGzzx-b6efR2V0MpF6o0vfxA6_BeAZhX7UnzL7Pm9ayI59iPsQ22G6o405AYuAKIWkFGWxVB8z5Eh3AUUmGJLuc6GPZMgXDgWwfmp9eb5ozSKVrI-itBxCyAG4orLHya1ukgjAY7ZBNi6Ue6THoFqHn_7dkP-kl4hoxF/w400-h225/Map.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>An enlarged map of impacted areas and corresponding photos of Teesta bazar are given.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTToa_YU24Ky3_mydCXObxb6otr4QMClGE-oWudIOMDrT9jdxjkzo4UWqscXmhaTIXeIFJkiPVFHKkEV091t_EeK24q-gUUysdZqAtwr802y7bjUZj1Jq81BEtzl6cC84A_SQS29nrgl_RgEZgzU37Vx6xieGq8z8Bn1iyipSmi1nugRX4wvsmF_GPRGVk/s1899/map2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1064" data-original-width="1899" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTToa_YU24Ky3_mydCXObxb6otr4QMClGE-oWudIOMDrT9jdxjkzo4UWqscXmhaTIXeIFJkiPVFHKkEV091t_EeK24q-gUUysdZqAtwr802y7bjUZj1Jq81BEtzl6cC84A_SQS29nrgl_RgEZgzU37Vx6xieGq8z8Bn1iyipSmi1nugRX4wvsmF_GPRGVk/w400-h224/map2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIlCmNnk8GS7diyFWZrngh-ccLgJKWYyUM_90o3dQ7dx8VhtGpossMspdQvXQAQSZjTd_bG7r31H5jYA8m-L-wD6elJiHEk2qfnj3gZOMxq2ynxKUAJjnTELNSpcycZPteZ9ygrai4VqwxerYy9vx_Ng-i_7XlJpSbogHOfIFK1ufYyFu2DjK7ZJNpjVGT/s2000/1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIlCmNnk8GS7diyFWZrngh-ccLgJKWYyUM_90o3dQ7dx8VhtGpossMspdQvXQAQSZjTd_bG7r31H5jYA8m-L-wD6elJiHEk2qfnj3gZOMxq2ynxKUAJjnTELNSpcycZPteZ9ygrai4VqwxerYy9vx_Ng-i_7XlJpSbogHOfIFK1ufYyFu2DjK7ZJNpjVGT/w400-h266/1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">The road to Tribeni (27° 4' 4.986" N, 88° 25' 38.13", 229m) - Photo1.<br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">The road is covered by a blanket of sand almost 10-15 feet thick and a lonely excavator had dug this canal through it. On 22Oct2023, I could barely walk a few hundred meters before coming to a dead end.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUJhr3I9WnGG4NhGoSo-D_vc8AECxrt_OmAdIZqaiEZuD0AT0RJUlBDhd3otjdv_dB8StZgN_8UcqzbfkQhUJO1vhZTcZS_wPMWK6ckrIm0itTB2lNIQpUTCP3vyT8XzS2wKTLauz6YyNN6-sQ3EeS_dXmBaol9aYGY68CCHn6vV6Azoh8o_7x40d9QVMm/s2000/2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUJhr3I9WnGG4NhGoSo-D_vc8AECxrt_OmAdIZqaiEZuD0AT0RJUlBDhd3otjdv_dB8StZgN_8UcqzbfkQhUJO1vhZTcZS_wPMWK6ckrIm0itTB2lNIQpUTCP3vyT8XzS2wKTLauz6YyNN6-sQ3EeS_dXmBaol9aYGY68CCHn6vV6Azoh8o_7x40d9QVMm/w400-h266/2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCAH3oDa24mMZLxPObLZlTJE5nLjLeYFkVlqJYpbAKLDt5bP8En6gS2tjiBTH5lY4OaZC4dCTRy1Gb4XDAKhzsNZrhaNZ3E1QOWrpXWcHzJsSeDslNOMEWwxguOQmn-oh5qETMLEcwur2s2BxlzofovlHDW-4ovyx5UrMkbtOmgazFwuJ8JfXFm9GGNcl3/s2000/3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCAH3oDa24mMZLxPObLZlTJE5nLjLeYFkVlqJYpbAKLDt5bP8En6gS2tjiBTH5lY4OaZC4dCTRy1Gb4XDAKhzsNZrhaNZ3E1QOWrpXWcHzJsSeDslNOMEWwxguOQmn-oh5qETMLEcwur2s2BxlzofovlHDW-4ovyx5UrMkbtOmgazFwuJ8JfXFm9GGNcl3/w400-h266/3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Where these children frolicked, there were 8 homes which got swept away on 04Oct2023. I talked to Mrs Pushpa Subba (seen above) who said her home was cracked at many places and the river now was so much closer than earlier (27° 3' 58.71" N, 88° 25' 34.038" E, 220m) - Photos 2/3.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzK2NGZnnTNeBC80XRGQ0PRlmOxTdN1CvrET8FGeoJ3BPAkhJJ0FLCuFohgudCpuHmgV5tfK1Kx0X2hWLfNXsKzb17AUSq52gVYhyphenhyphen6_KkJAACBsNg1gN82UGqDhTsNECbxSgyhjtjFXZ1mLy2M4Bg6SbMKJXNzpABqPP-EBdqtWxWC6Mwdya6WyitTBYHO/s2000/4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzK2NGZnnTNeBC80XRGQ0PRlmOxTdN1CvrET8FGeoJ3BPAkhJJ0FLCuFohgudCpuHmgV5tfK1Kx0X2hWLfNXsKzb17AUSq52gVYhyphenhyphen6_KkJAACBsNg1gN82UGqDhTsNECbxSgyhjtjFXZ1mLy2M4Bg6SbMKJXNzpABqPP-EBdqtWxWC6Mwdya6WyitTBYHO/w400-h266/4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Meet Simran, 25yrs old as she guards what could be recovered from her house. She and her family of 5 had to abandon their home and shift to this relief center where 3 other families are staying. She said that the cracks on the floor and walls were not so huge a few days ago - now the 'river was pulling it down'.<br /> This entire area in Teesta bazar seems to be sinking. (27° 3' 41.49" N, 88° 25' 28.818" E, 236.6m) - Photo 4.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP6WnJu_gB6X5tm9ZPN-JrfIREFcAqj72_cmrvoIPxNciRPQqDZEYyGTLZGPopsDLgEPDBYqxgQityU3AaOcPznugaq7uczDsgEotUbMU0Af8yexrodcn1ih9UJcoao_K2cbeg-FjdWwf0wHEKaOrqOQpMSYf5uyVXx9PF8xLIYv8SXWXQMAxKj5IKJocF/s2000/5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP6WnJu_gB6X5tm9ZPN-JrfIREFcAqj72_cmrvoIPxNciRPQqDZEYyGTLZGPopsDLgEPDBYqxgQityU3AaOcPznugaq7uczDsgEotUbMU0Af8yexrodcn1ih9UJcoao_K2cbeg-FjdWwf0wHEKaOrqOQpMSYf5uyVXx9PF8xLIYv8SXWXQMAxKj5IKJocF/w400-h266/5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZOq1nRPHzfe9At_5ivlQQeL8a7Cy4ON8dRLJqhfjA-SMXDhGtWkOeTXPY0XHg1soeU6ii3XxUTMF2oiZfs0Al_QRo1nmMNKCkPn12l6nfdCilTj_LNmsNiRwtvjqLZ-QBi_A_Nnu_boa5Ek-tDsoCfIgQzkR1iIupwOzupsKOcs6nSfetpAqBR-V1_7By/s2000/6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZOq1nRPHzfe9At_5ivlQQeL8a7Cy4ON8dRLJqhfjA-SMXDhGtWkOeTXPY0XHg1soeU6ii3XxUTMF2oiZfs0Al_QRo1nmMNKCkPn12l6nfdCilTj_LNmsNiRwtvjqLZ-QBi_A_Nnu_boa5Ek-tDsoCfIgQzkR1iIupwOzupsKOcs6nSfetpAqBR-V1_7By/w400-h266/6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Teesta river is now running so close to populated parts of Teesta bazar that it is difficult to distinguish safe from unsafe areas. These two above are areas close to the Teesta bridge and definitely in high danger zones <span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">(<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span>27° 3' 23.484" N, 88° 25' 29.922" E,
218.8m) - Photos 5/6.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_g0zcgyNH80yTgNm8CxGyCcleGtYpCQHbHBzPafSlsBCwzEDAPM-7woal8LQmWTwT8PlkttcBouu0vfuVcRDNFJCIhWeJMdBwfHX9jvan1iXI_bhVrWmtUJodIJNBxYGHDjlQ4Gtufc2bnPecijbL8z9-SUhWcICmkwRuGjNzrWd-eVz4I2fqbzYSKeK2/s2000/7.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_g0zcgyNH80yTgNm8CxGyCcleGtYpCQHbHBzPafSlsBCwzEDAPM-7woal8LQmWTwT8PlkttcBouu0vfuVcRDNFJCIhWeJMdBwfHX9jvan1iXI_bhVrWmtUJodIJNBxYGHDjlQ4Gtufc2bnPecijbL8z9-SUhWcICmkwRuGjNzrWd-eVz4I2fqbzYSKeK2/w400-h266/7.jpg" width="400" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY4qA1j78NMlcX5tMGrLHKEB3vfb532FSlroSv0emE9eNSzNLWYhmKyiFonL6bPL9Fy8Xu8lcBGbVdIorvlQFULfd0NASYfGM6lo-at0AgSqNq3Cx0YPFBrGMllq5EiYlSUUzy8yamXmRXxyIrWdS4AcIU3zEsy_h-hOoUvFsXGQAQF3yB7vrAf9A-e1JR/s2000/8.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY4qA1j78NMlcX5tMGrLHKEB3vfb532FSlroSv0emE9eNSzNLWYhmKyiFonL6bPL9Fy8Xu8lcBGbVdIorvlQFULfd0NASYfGM6lo-at0AgSqNq3Cx0YPFBrGMllq5EiYlSUUzy8yamXmRXxyIrWdS4AcIU3zEsy_h-hOoUvFsXGQAQF3yB7vrAf9A-e1JR/w400-h266/8.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The road from Teesta to Darjeeling which was submerged just a few days ago. Now with the waters receding a bit and also no dams operating, engineers have cleared the road for vehicular traffic. Notice how perilously close the river is to the road. My thought is always on how safe will these roads and especially NH10 be in the monsoons of 2024 and in the years ahead? (27° 3' 14.208" N, 88° 25' 33.312" E, 196.8m) - Photo7/8.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>OTHER AREAS</b></span></p><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">NH 10: Teesta - Likhu Bhir - Baluakhani (29th Mile) section </span><br /><span style="font-weight: normal;">This portion of NH10 faced the brunt of the GLOF and is also the portion where the level of the road is closest to the river. Though NH10 has now been opened for light vehicles and between 6am to 6pm, the condition of the road is still precarious at many places and a fast flowing silt laden Teesta river is gnawing at the base of the road relentlessly. <br />This results in chunks of the road suddenly collapsing into the river. Also parts of the road are cracked and subsiding at many places, which maybe the reason for not allowing heavy vehicular traffic.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaABb1pISZ4gF6vMrp_s0XFQNljo0u47cEkGlof-lphItPMdHxi-Tc-vlqwsVZnPxllXQf2bHKESxkpKZJFu_OPMQ4o0_GLwXIN-JQomgyK0SLDSaskF-YA1lB7O52gqnmC_74W1usDyV3vseWCq33IMrtTN4QFXAc8w7h159o_6q80YvTs3s2DKMzNJj2/s2000/11.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaABb1pISZ4gF6vMrp_s0XFQNljo0u47cEkGlof-lphItPMdHxi-Tc-vlqwsVZnPxllXQf2bHKESxkpKZJFu_OPMQ4o0_GLwXIN-JQomgyK0SLDSaskF-YA1lB7O52gqnmC_74W1usDyV3vseWCq33IMrtTN4QFXAc8w7h159o_6q80YvTs3s2DKMzNJj2/w400-h266/11.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>When I was young (and when there were no dams around!), Likhu Bhir used to be the most active and troublesome landslide on the Siliguri- Kalimpong route (NH31 then) but for decades the slide was dormant and never a problem to NH10 users. It is a pity that the slide has been activated by the GLOF.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDs8jF_PFO5fyjqcO-4_8sCJeyhgnawFvCLftIPIGPLBdogEx8F3bJblKsHzF0CCKMK1GlOZil2WFuKKaf_KKT9EbYQQzuT_ArUmQHkjzLVRVSMg3ZX2bPx0P-_EbAkKlmvgdzLDSgX8UuRjXCerMNvdO7ApXfUXF5555M6BEL_EfRyRKKcqDt_07z3j9A/s2000/10.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDs8jF_PFO5fyjqcO-4_8sCJeyhgnawFvCLftIPIGPLBdogEx8F3bJblKsHzF0CCKMK1GlOZil2WFuKKaf_KKT9EbYQQzuT_ArUmQHkjzLVRVSMg3ZX2bPx0P-_EbAkKlmvgdzLDSgX8UuRjXCerMNvdO7ApXfUXF5555M6BEL_EfRyRKKcqDt_07z3j9A/w400-h266/10.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Coordinates 👆:</span><span style="font-weight: normal;"> 27° 2' 11.058" N, 88° 25' 38.58" E, 240.4m<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9C8WEYtHXEVhSBAJxDOa2Tc6vEw4QUQFwBTosKTPM3ZRbkXlUrxanQ0ENUND0sojmcVQJBtixlu05XssIWjxz0-Ma-ijmA-I5_X7oLAs-L2ozh3SKZ8GysRcXPTRGq3UyDinnGbkPzY_72pqG4_yQWZFMN7EOjWIZC2fiFzmtDELByyxTjCT4fN9xq-ca/s2000/9.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="2000" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9C8WEYtHXEVhSBAJxDOa2Tc6vEw4QUQFwBTosKTPM3ZRbkXlUrxanQ0ENUND0sojmcVQJBtixlu05XssIWjxz0-Ma-ijmA-I5_X7oLAs-L2ozh3SKZ8GysRcXPTRGq3UyDinnGbkPzY_72pqG4_yQWZFMN7EOjWIZC2fiFzmtDELByyxTjCT4fN9xq-ca/w400-h225/9.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Traffic on NH 10 near Likhu Bhir on the day the highway was opened.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHoOHGHtLbGp_KCDx6mZQCCGXGa-3FE-T9IHSR_L9HUOheDwvE7cYB4PiH4H7HpNQo3KTe4Zkx31Fnp_WDwkdHo70QLmV_JgasxHI48WZoliZhGzVPcJNCg8Zy4Dxr8XI0Lfjkig8sFL0Y4fzf0RDzLjHVkv8QoFXDU0yJCULGFxd8RoYmEm8XnuQCNnN5/s2000/12.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHoOHGHtLbGp_KCDx6mZQCCGXGa-3FE-T9IHSR_L9HUOheDwvE7cYB4PiH4H7HpNQo3KTe4Zkx31Fnp_WDwkdHo70QLmV_JgasxHI48WZoliZhGzVPcJNCg8Zy4Dxr8XI0Lfjkig8sFL0Y4fzf0RDzLjHVkv8QoFXDU0yJCULGFxd8RoYmEm8XnuQCNnN5/w400-h266/12.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>The major landslide on NH 10 at 27th Mile and our bane for years, mercifully remained stable during the GLOF (Coordinates 👆 27° 0' 59.298" N, 88° 26' 13.062" E, 765.60m)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzurVpIfWdqs6D8WjnPVHjYsu8GNLF8Jwk5AAoYTDEVlXKgKSxWMqAAkOTMaYoOXngib1UyzNpDTN0rzFxc8XIXhWz0gV_mzkGpSWq2QoVc6cUxazfDXyuHyg9twM7jzErE5-Y-Fytewx9ACdO199Be4dBja8Jvk-EPog_s0avlPGVH2Wjt-yMGB6UAIwz/s2000/debris2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzurVpIfWdqs6D8WjnPVHjYsu8GNLF8Jwk5AAoYTDEVlXKgKSxWMqAAkOTMaYoOXngib1UyzNpDTN0rzFxc8XIXhWz0gV_mzkGpSWq2QoVc6cUxazfDXyuHyg9twM7jzErE5-Y-Fytewx9ACdO199Be4dBja8Jvk-EPog_s0avlPGVH2Wjt-yMGB6UAIwz/w400-h266/debris2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Unimaginable amount of sand and debris which the GLOF has dumped every where.<br /></span></h4><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Geil Khola</span><span style="font-weight: normal;"> (Coordinates 27° 1' 45.168" N, 88° 25' 40.53" E, 215.1m)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgARn6oiWePhTmcpmwoiMOYEM2DXcXDH4fmy99VnLaBgcmHecDVcb2orDsIMrxftcO32-RERIideVCoiAA3L2Tym8vgzWkC6cv2rIUyWvNYQAcvEchQT5EEoV_VzqgDPIlwSpX3xhv-x8VyD5NFVSTssIwBnUius4YXLSCFatKR4_WifhaPc5qYoWO8-Tsf/s2000/geil.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgARn6oiWePhTmcpmwoiMOYEM2DXcXDH4fmy99VnLaBgcmHecDVcb2orDsIMrxftcO32-RERIideVCoiAA3L2Tym8vgzWkC6cv2rIUyWvNYQAcvEchQT5EEoV_VzqgDPIlwSpX3xhv-x8VyD5NFVSTssIwBnUius4YXLSCFatKR4_WifhaPc5qYoWO8-Tsf/w400-h266/geil.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Geil khola from the opposite hill<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKCdJS-FvHhmsy12xoaJVb8QZ41vZgySHXid7QvCTpXEQM7_4VEjmPftW6UwBWEUP-F369CJN1KJNtUymZv6ULMb1mzvPEdDyYx1ESSwU5IFM3sORryxS7oJi-hBtZyyNQyFXiwyY-o3nGoszuooUDnrux2kUa-sIO-Z2iT6KvEPwY3ERqcjQFVHZUCUP2/s2000/Geil2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKCdJS-FvHhmsy12xoaJVb8QZ41vZgySHXid7QvCTpXEQM7_4VEjmPftW6UwBWEUP-F369CJN1KJNtUymZv6ULMb1mzvPEdDyYx1ESSwU5IFM3sORryxS7oJi-hBtZyyNQyFXiwyY-o3nGoszuooUDnrux2kUa-sIO-Z2iT6KvEPwY3ERqcjQFVHZUCUP2/w400-h266/Geil2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Chand Adhikari who works for an IRCON contractor stayed in this rented home with 12 other workers. He is standing on what used to be a dining room for them. The GLOF buried everything and they have been told not to excavate for fear of army explosives which maybe buried in the sand.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHgI2pqUa8q2Dl987B8IVueXUSe20jRUEUZWVWK0X6NdRbTdXZuxiTZNe1vRDwO0xOE_XM85D8pTMUZc9iXKdiCNTcd5FoW_xw-31vh1P-4Q6rE4JgvndnKjLaQRDbOI3CY-aqY8DxCjGt7nPaRvgeFbikSpJ90K8jQI45XrsC4_yoF_PUr648jHqRjroS/s2000/Geil4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1334" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHgI2pqUa8q2Dl987B8IVueXUSe20jRUEUZWVWK0X6NdRbTdXZuxiTZNe1vRDwO0xOE_XM85D8pTMUZc9iXKdiCNTcd5FoW_xw-31vh1P-4Q6rE4JgvndnKjLaQRDbOI3CY-aqY8DxCjGt7nPaRvgeFbikSpJ90K8jQI45XrsC4_yoF_PUr648jHqRjroS/w400-h266/Geil4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Mr Ashok Gurung (42yrs) a resident of Geil never believed such a thing would ever happen, having seen many instances where the Teesta flooded areas in Geil Khola. He said they received alerts from friends and relatives from 2am/04Oct2023 and the floods hit them at 4.00am. Between 4 to 4.30 everything they had was gone. He stands above his village where 11 homes are buried by the flooding. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRwUD1V1BvVWqICmu5r8AWLKHGqM90X1gsNlWcFBub4rj3n6EhyphenhyphenZaZ4PLu-7TUOG8__PtukJZr5vDCPeoiGCDu9mOKaGp9fV7D7Gc1MKpYzBCOJU51aa9a79ZfgF9wOBk7HFnWFdnVJU7bwulZASjP5bPdSgy_hqVhiP2yVMF1n4mEsOmMuBw1_ww8Xjn9/s2000/Geil3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="2000" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRwUD1V1BvVWqICmu5r8AWLKHGqM90X1gsNlWcFBub4rj3n6EhyphenhyphenZaZ4PLu-7TUOG8__PtukJZr5vDCPeoiGCDu9mOKaGp9fV7D7Gc1MKpYzBCOJU51aa9a79ZfgF9wOBk7HFnWFdnVJU7bwulZASjP5bPdSgy_hqVhiP2yVMF1n4mEsOmMuBw1_ww8Xjn9/w400-h225/Geil3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Adding misery to the miserable - villagers homes buried by the GLOF at Geil Khola.</span></h3><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></h3><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>NHPC Teesta Low Dam Project (TLDP) III</b> </span>(Coordinates 27° 0' 10.554" N 88° 26' 29.316" E 205.3m)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYVNCXvwP-s5KXZYnjFk5rdt3_za8rwXkhVAmVddAOL8i7hlJvP90kH0Jw1_xFbACvF4SdaZa7EWkbYt8nDmaXtiuk8rSKodHGHur8ArOUCBC-M1gZ_DLhttOjuvgtu4cwd_531fvAA-YmaLkx4bZbngmm0KUHX8KabfhNllTceZd8BxMzp1OB5U-dX1i2/s2000/debris.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYVNCXvwP-s5KXZYnjFk5rdt3_za8rwXkhVAmVddAOL8i7hlJvP90kH0Jw1_xFbACvF4SdaZa7EWkbYt8nDmaXtiuk8rSKodHGHur8ArOUCBC-M1gZ_DLhttOjuvgtu4cwd_531fvAA-YmaLkx4bZbngmm0KUHX8KabfhNllTceZd8BxMzp1OB5U-dX1i2/w400-h266/debris.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>The debris that the floods brought sits below the NHPC power plant.Sand being excavated from in front of the TLDP III power station. I wonder how much of the pondage of this and other dams has been filled up by the unimaginable amount of silt and debris the river brought on 04Oct2023 and still continues to bring down.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4O4SlxOW-1cf_0V8x_ifaQ7gZricSmjHwOquk8tHtcBfpbC3Bf_EyR-1mYxMFUc3bp4_P-vsfWoBSbaAGQrKsgx4K1gd7WyjXCZHPg9yTEsBwfXHXVNSDUJqJT3X0WCg_y4sL4yP3NU9Zhn_nU5yhLBw6MnVtg8486GDQ6UP0jZEA8oacd-z6N_bIDcpu/s2000/Powerplant.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="2000" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4O4SlxOW-1cf_0V8x_ifaQ7gZricSmjHwOquk8tHtcBfpbC3Bf_EyR-1mYxMFUc3bp4_P-vsfWoBSbaAGQrKsgx4K1gd7WyjXCZHPg9yTEsBwfXHXVNSDUJqJT3X0WCg_y4sL4yP3NU9Zhn_nU5yhLBw6MnVtg8486GDQ6UP0jZEA8oacd-z6N_bIDcpu/w400-h225/Powerplant.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></span></h3><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Bangay bustee</span> <span style="font-weight: normal;">(Coordinates 26° 59' 59.028" N 88° 26' 35.34" E 194.3m)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhufZ9Rv8Q9NwvhAedRiYJCX5DgKPqNmwGmcgyvC13RZor-eWvOzGhAfl7xeovX1dw3r2smnL8RZlFm5j82lG0hfP3F0-9SuC0exwfT6Yf-xUnKuBfDpo4YbsfLJCrJSLjOV1YjYufZMW42G-4od3p70n1sDTBHHT2XeAqedUeO0Cb8X6DCSRJVny94Dum/s2000/Bangey2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhufZ9Rv8Q9NwvhAedRiYJCX5DgKPqNmwGmcgyvC13RZor-eWvOzGhAfl7xeovX1dw3r2smnL8RZlFm5j82lG0hfP3F0-9SuC0exwfT6Yf-xUnKuBfDpo4YbsfLJCrJSLjOV1YjYufZMW42G-4od3p70n1sDTBHHT2XeAqedUeO0Cb8X6DCSRJVny94Dum/w400-h266/Bangey2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Bangay bustee sits at the confluence of the Relli and Teesta rivers and on 04Oct2023, the entire village comprising of 19 houses went under water. Unfortunately, I could not cross over to the village on 22Oct2023, since the Relli river is still over flowing the bridge.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK9Jg9loivm23cZWvM7bjjCm3fH7Uz4pmEYD3S_YTBsINSaVcCi8ktF73KtgNyEQ1Fl-8_b4d3utfd4APcXqy73VHND6E6DzhaMmRSy-JY2ywkTj4gKbNgGFrKY5SG6K63-LnyJ39fgvo9OTmnMKFu4g8X-umurzixSCNG5BL8KdKsXJlWL40nRUqOW1dK/s2000/bangaybridge.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="2000" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK9Jg9loivm23cZWvM7bjjCm3fH7Uz4pmEYD3S_YTBsINSaVcCi8ktF73KtgNyEQ1Fl-8_b4d3utfd4APcXqy73VHND6E6DzhaMmRSy-JY2ywkTj4gKbNgGFrKY5SG6K63-LnyJ39fgvo9OTmnMKFu4g8X-umurzixSCNG5BL8KdKsXJlWL40nRUqOW1dK/w400-h225/bangaybridge.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhteN7kNeSDNJ09ODmI-FKM-v6nVPbBD5CiQAD1xcdOOYijcliz9LsHzoMX2qyqmWjefhMe4n_rSGrRUTB4ZyiiLNk-hZpMAnqhbK9CBJg6CSIjkZc5feP7Ertg_Wy9ONn4V6618wrN02ZJSE5w5KqQqZ7f-mZ48torj_XWhBJn6ER34dJZ7Of38SR84tWg/s2000/Bangey1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhteN7kNeSDNJ09ODmI-FKM-v6nVPbBD5CiQAD1xcdOOYijcliz9LsHzoMX2qyqmWjefhMe4n_rSGrRUTB4ZyiiLNk-hZpMAnqhbK9CBJg6CSIjkZc5feP7Ertg_Wy9ONn4V6618wrN02ZJSE5w5KqQqZ7f-mZ48torj_XWhBJn6ER34dJZ7Of38SR84tWg/w400-h266/Bangey1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-weight: normal;">Mounds of sand being excavated from homes at Bangay village on 22Oct2023.</span></h3><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></h3><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Having visited most places south of Rangpo which were affected by the GLOF from South Lhonak Glacier on 04Oct2023, I am truly humbled by what I saw.<br />It was surely a once in a lifetime event where a massive lake burst its banks high up in the Himalayas and led to another huge artificial lake bursting (Sikkim Urja dam) at Chunthang. Together, it released a wall of water almost 15 feet high which I am sure no dam authority or people along the Teesta valley were prepared for. As a result several dams downstream are non-functional today and the level of the Teesta river has gone up by 10-15 feet at places. We were lucky that despite more sophisticated early warning systems failing, the cell phone system worked in the pouring rain and the police together with community messages helped in evacuating large numbers of people to higher ground. Thousands more could have perished.<br /><br />Yes, we were lucky - this time.<br />I hope these images will bear testimony to what was one of the most dangerous and large disaster events of recent times.<br />My thanks to all the affected people for speaking to us and sharing their experiences, thanks also my young friend, Praveen of Junkeri Studios for the earlier two episodes and everyone else who made this reporting possible.<br /><br />Praful Rao<br />Kalimpong district<br />Darjeeling- Sikkim Himalaya<br />savethehills@gmail.com<br />9475033744</span>
</h3></div>SaveTheHillshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02683050982473682760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3323953779460457291.post-80796686194093199382023-10-22T07:50:00.002+05:302023-10-22T07:52:02.534+05:30GLOF from South Lhonak Glacier: Excerpts and images from a scientific paper of 2021 and satellite images of Oct2023 from NRSC of affected areas.<p>The GLOF from South Lhonak glacier in North Sikkim on 04Oct2023, impacted many areas of Sikkim as well as Kalimpong district in W Bengal GLOF. STH has blogged about this is several (recent) previous blogs.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCl9fhT6zYRFDBvVxZdxPV6ND4ApxTOreOHiXLdOGeYWBj3okhqv8RNBSKV4dpc-9Yqayf6xP4q7e3PNvOPRRURkyUyOr6IZgBXMhfuKiUmNyt73Nbi0Vq9d-JoWHG1hQGvuASbWMxl5byeomcCniJ30SfXLvf7ZNH2iY7e3-cX99DrY_xSL9ShmOJSsik/s1200/map.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1105" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCl9fhT6zYRFDBvVxZdxPV6ND4ApxTOreOHiXLdOGeYWBj3okhqv8RNBSKV4dpc-9Yqayf6xP4q7e3PNvOPRRURkyUyOr6IZgBXMhfuKiUmNyt73Nbi0Vq9d-JoWHG1hQGvuASbWMxl5byeomcCniJ30SfXLvf7ZNH2iY7e3-cX99DrY_xSL9ShmOJSsik/w369-h400/map.jpg" width="369" /></a></div>An excerpt from a scientific study done on the South Lhonak Glacier and published in 2021 is placed below:<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVScnne9lK6s-vvZSNpfkrhMXYqDMNThnW6DuZ1WpmYi4hmwFj153TfH19-p7jP-cnmlWWJvGetmY4pqXeVDVEiHJNkSA1ZNu_PHZRY-ZDQs0EIDIx4aJOTK7nECV_6ersmPLVNl2zAelV4FMuE1Ts_mPHDLYsUL3v8U04RsJmuMz1IImPbqe5npGklLAV/s903/ChungthangA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="892" data-original-width="903" height="395" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVScnne9lK6s-vvZSNpfkrhMXYqDMNThnW6DuZ1WpmYi4hmwFj153TfH19-p7jP-cnmlWWJvGetmY4pqXeVDVEiHJNkSA1ZNu_PHZRY-ZDQs0EIDIx4aJOTK7nECV_6ersmPLVNl2zAelV4FMuE1Ts_mPHDLYsUL3v8U04RsJmuMz1IImPbqe5npGklLAV/w400-h395/ChungthangA.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Images (from the above paper) also show the growth of Chunthang town over the years and other areas which were at risk.<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh14kHCk0Gv2S5hCu6KEW3iFzznmRN0uK-75EKHnonA-udifTZ4Mae4FtWwDRM_MQNrVmLbNNSG37k8Rwjx5oV4ZVm5lHsO6ba8Zc_xYzu3Yo5wcv4hNmw4PkCura1BWtp3jKeDdF_Sp2Eec3uNrg4lVS4t12CZV3NXfN0359bhyLGw2DQ4Ms8DtP2rSZhZ/s1326/Chungthang.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1326" data-original-width="705" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh14kHCk0Gv2S5hCu6KEW3iFzznmRN0uK-75EKHnonA-udifTZ4Mae4FtWwDRM_MQNrVmLbNNSG37k8Rwjx5oV4ZVm5lHsO6ba8Zc_xYzu3Yo5wcv4hNmw4PkCura1BWtp3jKeDdF_Sp2Eec3uNrg4lVS4t12CZV3NXfN0359bhyLGw2DQ4Ms8DtP2rSZhZ/w213-h400/Chungthang.jpg" width="213" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpGAdCGy4-XXipe2zLay7w15DlKnwzATVs845py8mJh8GgNfTNM_Rq7_WKpZPL-RwL6hKARkaInJQGJ8T4ou-tpWr_AEXx9Isap1mbs1iDq9CIJkEOhSMfGJgAKw8um6Piu4J4Sh_ObbqUurB495OPFrTzbB-JKagiWRp2muUtsylT8jU0-vgygT6vhwzE/s1010/Chungthang1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1010" data-original-width="782" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpGAdCGy4-XXipe2zLay7w15DlKnwzATVs845py8mJh8GgNfTNM_Rq7_WKpZPL-RwL6hKARkaInJQGJ8T4ou-tpWr_AEXx9Isap1mbs1iDq9CIJkEOhSMfGJgAKw8um6Piu4J4Sh_ObbqUurB495OPFrTzbB-JKagiWRp2muUtsylT8jU0-vgygT6vhwzE/w310-h400/Chungthang1.jpg" width="310" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitsHSx_cDdKAdKuj4Yxt2JSWVL8Ga6z1vuEsLNTwhQzZVdjCGGSlUP2BqK4ejW-1nwOZl79VQ4Xm_I8esak1wXRtxsznmpABYHo4C8l99G4Jh3EV6JGi1E4BrWfNcxSdd3f964Jip_x1TroMFdB1VysN4uoo0D_yRqpAHzSwPvfZwngAGTax8vuX0-bx79/s1000/Chungthang2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="618" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitsHSx_cDdKAdKuj4Yxt2JSWVL8Ga6z1vuEsLNTwhQzZVdjCGGSlUP2BqK4ejW-1nwOZl79VQ4Xm_I8esak1wXRtxsznmpABYHo4C8l99G4Jh3EV6JGi1E4BrWfNcxSdd3f964Jip_x1TroMFdB1VysN4uoo0D_yRqpAHzSwPvfZwngAGTax8vuX0-bx79/w248-h400/Chungthang2.jpg" width="248" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Satellite images from NRSC <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKPpaRC3C3_BP_ZwkhqPSxIK_MkxZ6FVAJB4i5q-PQ1BO_Ig8cU1gi1N-294T1Rv_25nui1Fe4gXVez_uVCyfnP1tql_DjDcqXb4S8jr30JIqeU20N-wwu7iG2Ds_PyorNS20XTR7cAP592gRk2CDetxl8B7SqYJaint6PZ0qf_FRlft36KAzJjrA85lsi/s895/7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="895" data-original-width="632" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKPpaRC3C3_BP_ZwkhqPSxIK_MkxZ6FVAJB4i5q-PQ1BO_Ig8cU1gi1N-294T1Rv_25nui1Fe4gXVez_uVCyfnP1tql_DjDcqXb4S8jr30JIqeU20N-wwu7iG2Ds_PyorNS20XTR7cAP592gRk2CDetxl8B7SqYJaint6PZ0qf_FRlft36KAzJjrA85lsi/w283-h400/7.jpg" width="283" /></a></div></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLbr10KFogihbOrByOkJebBdA_WfLVQZIZMnJnQQkybJxrUiSkbRFptTiAl_v8HuflSR2ypC4-wUjklPVYwfKvoTjsaPhG_gjyhQj3lil9cRFakUHWgD_LjY-7pLYM7o6sfg4_bbdpJOcJHzn-MAFgrGWrMRztUHZhr11NmRB_ITROJW7xfoHw3q4lg6b6/s1368/9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="975" data-original-width="1368" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLbr10KFogihbOrByOkJebBdA_WfLVQZIZMnJnQQkybJxrUiSkbRFptTiAl_v8HuflSR2ypC4-wUjklPVYwfKvoTjsaPhG_gjyhQj3lil9cRFakUHWgD_LjY-7pLYM7o6sfg4_bbdpJOcJHzn-MAFgrGWrMRztUHZhr11NmRB_ITROJW7xfoHw3q4lg6b6/w400-h285/9.jpg" width="400" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXvE38owG4zbd44JsS6jnyBlspy3rf5SfR5ufkp50OuEeXSCBPW-hmrzMD9wYiApxkCBNcEJS0wzZXK8EAz9G89rhWcF3VnKWVBzJIahhlD32hOq2W9K22hCRqr86eIEhmbvY0wBjxqE_UweaJhlSv4x0eNLbxHm_yLndnnxpFl9JyZ8nkjGn5pMYn8O_t/s1364/10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="962" data-original-width="1364" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXvE38owG4zbd44JsS6jnyBlspy3rf5SfR5ufkp50OuEeXSCBPW-hmrzMD9wYiApxkCBNcEJS0wzZXK8EAz9G89rhWcF3VnKWVBzJIahhlD32hOq2W9K22hCRqr86eIEhmbvY0wBjxqE_UweaJhlSv4x0eNLbxHm_yLndnnxpFl9JyZ8nkjGn5pMYn8O_t/w400-h283/10.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgva3wHhDh2yccIsI7AClWIUAeAe5lkKz7EX4LMX_7Xz2U7HYePug_jvi1kpJEdCJvkSzdIE8hzWhTWGLXx351TFNL__QdBlpIdMmq6IekE0NJhpi7gJYHSSPFbeMCt7iPtaRue3TAxPNT94a_3GC65jbtWRC-jhoJvIJgi4dXLhhd_L57669PDmiDHeoH9/s1364/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="965" data-original-width="1364" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgva3wHhDh2yccIsI7AClWIUAeAe5lkKz7EX4LMX_7Xz2U7HYePug_jvi1kpJEdCJvkSzdIE8hzWhTWGLXx351TFNL__QdBlpIdMmq6IekE0NJhpi7gJYHSSPFbeMCt7iPtaRue3TAxPNT94a_3GC65jbtWRC-jhoJvIJgi4dXLhhd_L57669PDmiDHeoH9/w400-h283/1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0PrnAChE5uwV0kM8URmVQcLc3f2S2VDOS0CJD_Qpf7o-0cOEN8hxRkHhhS51j-yfyaM4Pr0lbqPTb0g5MGoQDBBjcma30m1cPixe70cb3VqBNmlcETJuM2UTXDiDInRcB5QxEjq_16cXsjCqyJVr0JjGPmvv1QoLxGzjL31V1W5l446pIBi6XGGfAAuI6/s1360/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="962" data-original-width="1360" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0PrnAChE5uwV0kM8URmVQcLc3f2S2VDOS0CJD_Qpf7o-0cOEN8hxRkHhhS51j-yfyaM4Pr0lbqPTb0g5MGoQDBBjcma30m1cPixe70cb3VqBNmlcETJuM2UTXDiDInRcB5QxEjq_16cXsjCqyJVr0JjGPmvv1QoLxGzjL31V1W5l446pIBi6XGGfAAuI6/w400-h283/3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Can't say there was no warning - just that no one listened or believed.<br /><br />Praful Rao<br />Kalimpong district<br />Darjeeling Sikkim Himalaya<br />savethehills@gmail.com<br />9475033744<br /><br />SaveTheHillshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02683050982473682760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3323953779460457291.post-12779680008296833712023-10-21T07:09:00.006+05:302023-10-25T07:31:54.586+05:30STH stormwatch : LOW pressure in the Bay of Bengal.<p>SaveTheHills Stormwatch is a series where we track and report on significant weather developments in our region not only to forewarn our communities (which we largely do today through our WhatsApp Group 'Hazard Alerts 1& 2') but keep a record of the event.<br />As on 20Oct2023, a low pressure formed in the central Bay of Bengal which is likely to intensify into a depression by 22Oct and move towards the Bangladesh and West Bengal coasts by 24Oct2023.<br />The Darjeeling-Sikkim region has just seen catastrophic flooding and destruction in the 04Oct2023 GLOF from South Lhonak glacier and being located barely 600kms from the Bay of Bengal any major storm in the north Bay will probably impact our region and which would hamper all reconstruction activities and make lives of those who have lost everything even more difficult.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj75bKzvZLI0y0i0U37dzsNQsg-KMN2IB5byC8g2dBB9TbTUO692FaJKtLHLaVZlqn5n4Wqll_n3zl4Lxd7bTA5wj2OKmVgd1KA2zUcGmEeL4IaJAcypYX8yiey9JvwBRGkynUFAelhbVuGb8mORgoxYlc1Y-rOKoCPF-PnLTfwJmewFfPV7uSdvuO_wlBf/s616/21a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="528" data-original-width="616" height="343" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj75bKzvZLI0y0i0U37dzsNQsg-KMN2IB5byC8g2dBB9TbTUO692FaJKtLHLaVZlqn5n4Wqll_n3zl4Lxd7bTA5wj2OKmVgd1KA2zUcGmEeL4IaJAcypYX8yiey9JvwBRGkynUFAelhbVuGb8mORgoxYlc1Y-rOKoCPF-PnLTfwJmewFfPV7uSdvuO_wlBf/w400-h343/21a.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY9wZVGVQivMQgt_PyIveK-CLcJsYFr1XDu5ROFUh2lL8o70BdSr6Df7IpyvtfIgQfRXhF6QpkCneb8C3pCyGGz4B313pdPi0y83mjAerLyTle4B2IUmU008vot9pdjT302G73AgRoSHYEjTIlscWKXkznsSZ20XtVCjTu_QxpM9i6cJrbjzRHujFHhRcK/s1000/21.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="616" data-original-width="1000" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY9wZVGVQivMQgt_PyIveK-CLcJsYFr1XDu5ROFUh2lL8o70BdSr6Df7IpyvtfIgQfRXhF6QpkCneb8C3pCyGGz4B313pdPi0y83mjAerLyTle4B2IUmU008vot9pdjT302G73AgRoSHYEjTIlscWKXkznsSZ20XtVCjTu_QxpM9i6cJrbjzRHujFHhRcK/w400-h246/21.jpg" width="400" /> </a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Update on 22Oct2023<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY4bmR8D78A4xZQ8dylKmZ5usyxLfbko2DA6oZdLcmkVpPuIZU0LKCqxUKm0CCkRQvNe5RtDkL3cAREdACnoX6I5MYPBJrqCLD02vngJSmuE-b4afs4z5SseZkCBJSEA8sWsSONz1pPmKtdtg_AbX0ESwGmI_-5CKzmfm7h8kcYwwQikXHhkF8R3hPogNC/s1225/22a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1225" data-original-width="1000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY4bmR8D78A4xZQ8dylKmZ5usyxLfbko2DA6oZdLcmkVpPuIZU0LKCqxUKm0CCkRQvNe5RtDkL3cAREdACnoX6I5MYPBJrqCLD02vngJSmuE-b4afs4z5SseZkCBJSEA8sWsSONz1pPmKtdtg_AbX0ESwGmI_-5CKzmfm7h8kcYwwQikXHhkF8R3hPogNC/w326-h400/22a.jpg" width="326" /></a></div></b> </div><p></p>IMD has posted to its first forecast track (above) on the probable path of the storm<br /><b><br />Update 24Oct2023: Cyclone 'HAMOON' is born<br /></b>JTWC's forecast track <b><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkk0AnV_rxsMdWAMydkCD14H4hpZkyL5-2Cd3A9VZ9kCCypnyvYqZW2WUwRuKuqKmVewYUIpcIh8DFCjTvbDMR1pVaQMNtQ7czd6GayG6EJ7J2Siy6cr21TF5J72cOd3FDgsJyofWn_txX343fiw_HLKn6etuISMsV-ztU93iTsdBj8t5pHys8VyAkRArD/s1584/24.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1005" data-original-width="1584" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkk0AnV_rxsMdWAMydkCD14H4hpZkyL5-2Cd3A9VZ9kCCypnyvYqZW2WUwRuKuqKmVewYUIpcIh8DFCjTvbDMR1pVaQMNtQ7czd6GayG6EJ7J2Siy6cr21TF5J72cOd3FDgsJyofWn_txX343fiw_HLKn6etuISMsV-ztU93iTsdBj8t5pHys8VyAkRArD/w400-h254/24.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></b>IMD latest forecast track<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQWJtOALiP681CRvUJ6CtliQf5HQTUBXDBVeoC873g1oRp45YEOsAKKSDedOgP9CG8M9eYpF_llY73vP4kAX5LYHb-orCuBKFBHUY7FyTriVhyphenhyphen3tqPk6U4bHGYcPBUc7I4pr4w2PoVXvJVpxuv_h_Xxa4MGuXVc-EEJ0sMVrumpGJEWzaMEcdH63eM0zNz/s743/IMD24.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="743" data-original-width="659" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQWJtOALiP681CRvUJ6CtliQf5HQTUBXDBVeoC873g1oRp45YEOsAKKSDedOgP9CG8M9eYpF_llY73vP4kAX5LYHb-orCuBKFBHUY7FyTriVhyphenhyphen3tqPk6U4bHGYcPBUc7I4pr4w2PoVXvJVpxuv_h_Xxa4MGuXVc-EEJ0sMVrumpGJEWzaMEcdH63eM0zNz/w355-h400/IMD24.jpg" width="355" /></a></div><br />Kolkata reported moderate rainfall for sometime on 23Oct2023, but largely the storm seems to be keeping clear of the city.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmQEgCAH3AI_GecsWkImW47hPpf_s8ryv27TphIJE156kyxhvPgc3yTNi4t13ez0aOMoS5X_jYoYGR4D40UBkwzvwAVZAIX8tjVkMXV7lHcUl0oHscAqUO6GYHlJ0IraGhiYwo4PXrruVGxHKoSyp9562ZlJQ3luy7kTYpC_O6MVbrYc4shQiGQaPleKru/s1099/25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="737" data-original-width="1099" height="269" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmQEgCAH3AI_GecsWkImW47hPpf_s8ryv27TphIJE156kyxhvPgc3yTNi4t13ez0aOMoS5X_jYoYGR4D40UBkwzvwAVZAIX8tjVkMXV7lHcUl0oHscAqUO6GYHlJ0IraGhiYwo4PXrruVGxHKoSyp9562ZlJQ3luy7kTYpC_O6MVbrYc4shQiGQaPleKru/w400-h269/25.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br />Praful Rao<br />Kalimpong district<br />Darjeeling-Sikkim Himalaya<br />savethehills@gmail.com<br />9475033744<br />SaveTheHillshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02683050982473682760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3323953779460457291.post-75725537053502178482023-10-19T10:31:00.003+05:302023-10-19T12:08:14.560+05:30Photographic record (18Oct2023) of Geil khola section of NH10 - post Lhonak Glacier GLOF.<p>One of the main casualties of the devastating Lhonak glacier GLOF on 04Oct2023 was the road communications and that too mainly the impact of the floods on NH10 which is the lifeline for the landlocked, mountain state of Sikkim and of Kalimpong district in W Bengal. Of the approx 114km distance from Siliguri to Gangtok, 65kms of NH10 winds itself along the banks of the Teesta.<br />More than two weeks after the GLOF of 04Oct2023 which shredded the highway at many places the road communications from Gangtok to Siliguri along NH10 has not been restored till date - neither the state highway which connects Darjeeling to Teesta Bazaar.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Pg0A9GhmebjxVfee-Yd1GZR6H2RtfiohHu5iGuQWyjC7eJ1tBwgSfMxS0JjsM4JfMD0Ac75SeD7Bcf_e4zVubSpjIDwTbUmskLSLMdiGHxGydEP5BN5yQUrRYU5Xt2-YlHQ3PWizi0t-yn9vTOX9QesTrMc7sug4KGGGXy4cIIxJI1OudHmHjPhOdOkZ/s2000/Map.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="2000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Pg0A9GhmebjxVfee-Yd1GZR6H2RtfiohHu5iGuQWyjC7eJ1tBwgSfMxS0JjsM4JfMD0Ac75SeD7Bcf_e4zVubSpjIDwTbUmskLSLMdiGHxGydEP5BN5yQUrRYU5Xt2-YlHQ3PWizi0t-yn9vTOX9QesTrMc7sug4KGGGXy4cIIxJI1OudHmHjPhOdOkZ/w400-h240/Map.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>On 18Oct2023, I photographed the above section of NH10 from the sheer cliffs of Kalimpong district which overlook the highway from the opposite hill - with the intention of preserving the images of what was an extraordinary event for us living in this region.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTzJJKZw1W16zaBow86fqyPnAlTW1kr6BbnPJtjRB0p_aXbVwwJQjheu26fQE1CYo40heLEICuh4SDg9aLNKB25pczssN-qY_fPXZutGvPd5JiojwPa7UWDaaMy71nJJFow4IHRuGN5NPx_f-7a9B-ivBere4yZY6KSGoiauHPA6BNdiBP_10c9JnXXLSz/s2000/2012.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="862" data-original-width="2000" height="173" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTzJJKZw1W16zaBow86fqyPnAlTW1kr6BbnPJtjRB0p_aXbVwwJQjheu26fQE1CYo40heLEICuh4SDg9aLNKB25pczssN-qY_fPXZutGvPd5JiojwPa7UWDaaMy71nJJFow4IHRuGN5NPx_f-7a9B-ivBere4yZY6KSGoiauHPA6BNdiBP_10c9JnXXLSz/w400-h173/2012.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieqZ3Zwd_eK5oeyZMzkhUU0FH4mAbAYdBrwbJLsGUXXy27-VrLQmavPc-kw_Uy8sfmdwbNEs2VJUcMoOuGQqC37-r2_g8rZoEJaGpERQCYik00NYmJP4fp3_hzi7Ph61j81HEZOUnSxci1Q2XHJocKpAqMGFyonsibhxwIzSUFyUrdE1amPXYGXKwNleIT/s2000/2a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="858" data-original-width="2000" height="172" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieqZ3Zwd_eK5oeyZMzkhUU0FH4mAbAYdBrwbJLsGUXXy27-VrLQmavPc-kw_Uy8sfmdwbNEs2VJUcMoOuGQqC37-r2_g8rZoEJaGpERQCYik00NYmJP4fp3_hzi7Ph61j81HEZOUnSxci1Q2XHJocKpAqMGFyonsibhxwIzSUFyUrdE1amPXYGXKwNleIT/w400-h172/2a.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>The above image of Oct 2021 shows a very active landslide (A) at 29th Mile on NH10 (27 01.013N 088 26.087E) and Bangay bazar (B) on the banks of the Teesta.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6CckGgnE_7cygaT4K8b0M-FTiAeCasach-_h7Lg0YDpff3pOFRmXGGGUirX41eseD6GQy3NsvT7M_HjKzCkHE93ngBZ0mHfl7ujYa1KXOttI3rR8FbnuD6WmGs3Hnb564wiml9zaHwXSKKKCN-G01b9eUYspJ1m0YllF0Vy1tUvxIKUxwk2lWAy-kxg4r/s2000/2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6CckGgnE_7cygaT4K8b0M-FTiAeCasach-_h7Lg0YDpff3pOFRmXGGGUirX41eseD6GQy3NsvT7M_HjKzCkHE93ngBZ0mHfl7ujYa1KXOttI3rR8FbnuD6WmGs3Hnb564wiml9zaHwXSKKKCN-G01b9eUYspJ1m0YllF0Vy1tUvxIKUxwk2lWAy-kxg4r/w400-h266/2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Telephoto Image of NHPC's TLDPIII and parts of Bangay bazar on 18Oct2023, submerged by the GLOF. Dam operations on TLDPIII has been stopped by the local political party (GTA) for the time being. Do notice the width of the Teesta river and the color of its water which indicates it is still loaded with silt.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8FM8LwUNJ0qtj3Itx53MFYaCmhgkZX-PJrA3FKB9kT_MsW51tOAImEOm9QCXXvtayRsxaTnYg3PnYZvY9wFU_sJyMTiFUvitRSER8LtUwndhy8BhObbuwy4zkaQh2ZJXKNgOpjj7kZca52yoYkpdeyi69GyzaRhe-yNSzG5AYT9RcYRfQDrlb9wX13359/s1380/1a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="942" data-original-width="1380" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8FM8LwUNJ0qtj3Itx53MFYaCmhgkZX-PJrA3FKB9kT_MsW51tOAImEOm9QCXXvtayRsxaTnYg3PnYZvY9wFU_sJyMTiFUvitRSER8LtUwndhy8BhObbuwy4zkaQh2ZJXKNgOpjj7kZca52yoYkpdeyi69GyzaRhe-yNSzG5AYT9RcYRfQDrlb9wX13359/w400-h272/1a.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> A very active 29the Mile landslide zone in 2021.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwwT4PITWdxexnhEJXEZrkaWXr-qnz7c0czDj2ia2TB5G1eK-W38wwycoef3L2WKSkwODpLnKr7OH5getgi_pcNbshoMEcbNXwv-QMUXEMpfgDNZhSkFCLx9Z8PANQgh87wnoLrZDZgxBiz_qL7OtvV91Cc5_bEgkUq_YUuey5HwdupTeC8jX3WzpTnTXV/s2000/1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwwT4PITWdxexnhEJXEZrkaWXr-qnz7c0czDj2ia2TB5G1eK-W38wwycoef3L2WKSkwODpLnKr7OH5getgi_pcNbshoMEcbNXwv-QMUXEMpfgDNZhSkFCLx9Z8PANQgh87wnoLrZDZgxBiz_qL7OtvV91Cc5_bEgkUq_YUuey5HwdupTeC8jX3WzpTnTXV/w400-h266/1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;">This year the 29th Mile landslide remained stable even during the GLOF period.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuOf3L4W0AxHWYdqYV_n3WsdiBGmUYH4WhbwgGqS7YyOwwB7oC2b7-ynI5KAxiNTXYA5LEYIBXO4scnBhvKz19hYy_NhTNoKc8jQq92Eqs-KhTavh3Nd8_9aGGfBN4eUQJ7GJZHtSGM21T4D2lcaniiUaIEdsE4X2kXEGkbmvPsHfw2ufg1l0zLYSKeYMy/s2000/3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuOf3L4W0AxHWYdqYV_n3WsdiBGmUYH4WhbwgGqS7YyOwwB7oC2b7-ynI5KAxiNTXYA5LEYIBXO4scnBhvKz19hYy_NhTNoKc8jQq92Eqs-KhTavh3Nd8_9aGGfBN4eUQJ7GJZHtSGM21T4D2lcaniiUaIEdsE4X2kXEGkbmvPsHfw2ufg1l0zLYSKeYMy/w400-h266/3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Close up view of the same area on 18Oct2023. The huge mounds of sand on the right bank indicate river levels during the GLOF. NH10 also appears to have been eroded at places.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbIQWN56iuAhA96_FOKyG-mhYrun9N_IVJUJcgvljdynYPaZ00xbDu2YTItJpsOuF7eVj16J_Tzb8XXX_lTsf3UFJMb6oJiHtfWTwob_VUxJJqT-_NucR7WoFof_IbCrzBWmSIF1evMVgjmM5xE9mRW1BY469gGcXWLtLCGu2seZGuPf1Ey6vknaW6Zjdb/s2000/4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbIQWN56iuAhA96_FOKyG-mhYrun9N_IVJUJcgvljdynYPaZ00xbDu2YTItJpsOuF7eVj16J_Tzb8XXX_lTsf3UFJMb6oJiHtfWTwob_VUxJJqT-_NucR7WoFof_IbCrzBWmSIF1evMVgjmM5xE9mRW1BY469gGcXWLtLCGu2seZGuPf1Ey6vknaW6Zjdb/w400-h266/4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Likhu Bhir (27 02.181N 088 25.661E) was the most serious landslide on this route decades ago (see image below). After being relatively stable for years, it was reactivated by the GLOF. One can see trucks carrying construction material plying over the slide.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbUXm_Ec-1p5mcCMFTuHnCqsdJ993U_f2aApIFlTOw7lclUfF2UypVXjK60i2JQ96DKRs7JdhTctIehZ5tiibA9Lg8yZAC9lEgUP4FUEhBfQDt0_MMSgg7V_yG0firLtJHbxGSsgXV2bbQmYqnbIxm4umypD2dNXKht1xMee3f67Tidimn0QHf1qKWHBPy/s2000/8ac.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1497" data-original-width="2000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbUXm_Ec-1p5mcCMFTuHnCqsdJ993U_f2aApIFlTOw7lclUfF2UypVXjK60i2JQ96DKRs7JdhTctIehZ5tiibA9Lg8yZAC9lEgUP4FUEhBfQDt0_MMSgg7V_yG0firLtJHbxGSsgXV2bbQmYqnbIxm4umypD2dNXKht1xMee3f67Tidimn0QHf1qKWHBPy/w400-h300/8ac.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgC4DCaxALS-OeFJdZn3nAz_gnW-H4AwHGvuKUhp7Fu4uTZVIZ0vog_H8thdvU_TwGYhe5WQZJ-MfxFGhEXBas4bnJ7eXQKk_5PAf1X3_3mNRgLTI6DvTpBJXPe0HhOHUnjAasRPUEQ0o4fwbuqZJlCeFsejm7r6JRdbZEih0tPsPkm_eHfc4Kj1CVd0qj/s2000/5a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1289" data-original-width="2000" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgC4DCaxALS-OeFJdZn3nAz_gnW-H4AwHGvuKUhp7Fu4uTZVIZ0vog_H8thdvU_TwGYhe5WQZJ-MfxFGhEXBas4bnJ7eXQKk_5PAf1X3_3mNRgLTI6DvTpBJXPe0HhOHUnjAasRPUEQ0o4fwbuqZJlCeFsejm7r6JRdbZEih0tPsPkm_eHfc4Kj1CVd0qj/w400-h258/5a.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHB2pEkQkbjuFlelCkMLPNaGE8nK_EHZ4mqO3thd5i4pMtM20c6L9ci8BGLKlWrCiBzVQwFNN5GDP4AC5bjBKhyphenhypheneMi9zaWqZfzQ3CH2x_OPkq6wg4YzCed-74ZAJ_8mth5CvCuBclzWbKODZXe5YgzOgKcqyjqowx9FTLgzJYUtqJyP8ljXRznZZ1ujCt1/s2000/5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHB2pEkQkbjuFlelCkMLPNaGE8nK_EHZ4mqO3thd5i4pMtM20c6L9ci8BGLKlWrCiBzVQwFNN5GDP4AC5bjBKhyphenhypheneMi9zaWqZfzQ3CH2x_OPkq6wg4YzCed-74ZAJ_8mth5CvCuBclzWbKODZXe5YgzOgKcqyjqowx9FTLgzJYUtqJyP8ljXRznZZ1ujCt1/w400-h266/5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Geil khola (27.028965N 088.427644E) was one of the places which was hit by the GLOF of 04Oct2023. Notice the partly buried homes on the river bank. The District Administration has set up a relief camp at Geil Khola. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimEBon28p5wSXeGZRuoI2yjxxNCccyg9br5nEieORLideGRUH_vKZSx6qlEcbEw-ucuoEUrmUoSvZvD9IXpvg2LyG8m9LbVr-ETzNJ0q8_1_smK5XmFdrVOpGOme9mMkePrxIgRpm1RnnFX5FwRBcp_TLdbGMKAJJ9le5Hksvt3wOzCdl3qfKgiNaJcKbX/s2000/6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimEBon28p5wSXeGZRuoI2yjxxNCccyg9br5nEieORLideGRUH_vKZSx6qlEcbEw-ucuoEUrmUoSvZvD9IXpvg2LyG8m9LbVr-ETzNJ0q8_1_smK5XmFdrVOpGOme9mMkePrxIgRpm1RnnFX5FwRBcp_TLdbGMKAJJ9le5Hksvt3wOzCdl3qfKgiNaJcKbX/w400-h266/6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="margin-left: 160px; text-align: left;">Geil khola and its surroundings on 18Oct2023.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcKBfukjux9C6oi5WAOxOZLY-vgDgWgWDBX-mGP5VgIMl2o9XOYejNN7UiZ95g4cZrI_TzDM5StEQvWLKhBya-FcQTApq5HwEzL50UuoqbNFxPv8iW3Yk_whGV8izdoQ0ldYiTAaiRkDq1Wu7obd3yVAFGtOzUuhq534zkHIbaLI3TE8tGPu_SeIXQM7Xl/s2000/7.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="2000" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcKBfukjux9C6oi5WAOxOZLY-vgDgWgWDBX-mGP5VgIMl2o9XOYejNN7UiZ95g4cZrI_TzDM5StEQvWLKhBya-FcQTApq5HwEzL50UuoqbNFxPv8iW3Yk_whGV8izdoQ0ldYiTAaiRkDq1Wu7obd3yVAFGtOzUuhq534zkHIbaLI3TE8tGPu_SeIXQM7Xl/w400-h225/7.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="margin-left: 120px; text-align: left;">Geil Khola - Likhu bhir section of NH10 on 18Oct2023.<br /></div>It seems ironic that the Kalimpong element of Darjeeling Himalaya Railways (DHR) which used to operate the narrow gauge train from Siliguri to Geil Khola, discontinued its Kalimpong operations after the 1950 disaster in our region.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBAvTeua6-7rZu5Z7aJMsXmo_rfBKLBq_R131v8oNxu1Xo3scduliD1AlGB0R-I9ERBckATjTQvjT4MX0SkPHD3e1UhaSyJpTTx7RWhGmD04TrZdfZWGhfBCc-nSgSJKMkVieKbKlvuX25Da-1AOG-LWS81bprwMkNvQYjs2nmkj4_sY_zE80Ub50bQIP_/s2000/9a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1323" data-original-width="2000" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBAvTeua6-7rZu5Z7aJMsXmo_rfBKLBq_R131v8oNxu1Xo3scduliD1AlGB0R-I9ERBckATjTQvjT4MX0SkPHD3e1UhaSyJpTTx7RWhGmD04TrZdfZWGhfBCc-nSgSJKMkVieKbKlvuX25Da-1AOG-LWS81bprwMkNvQYjs2nmkj4_sY_zE80Ub50bQIP_/w400-h265/9a.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Damage to DHR tracks in Darjeeling by the June 1950 disaster (photo kind courtesy Das Studio, Darjeeling)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE5xW3-oOfGb632s7AZ6ZhdRzuj144LNk4nlyQgheEhWTWY3Y_Z-B6Lq_kD8Gg0Xn5SQw_LYN55GIUUqcz_Hsk7WO7wnfMmcLEHbkq8zu28oQgtBB3VV9fEfKmk_if-e2aIr9uzWmJ29rInnXM-FQCUmQ5p8Fgg3qDP9dY-gFHiFV5ve-Gg1NIutXF2pQe/s1494/8a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="987" data-original-width="1494" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE5xW3-oOfGb632s7AZ6ZhdRzuj144LNk4nlyQgheEhWTWY3Y_Z-B6Lq_kD8Gg0Xn5SQw_LYN55GIUUqcz_Hsk7WO7wnfMmcLEHbkq8zu28oQgtBB3VV9fEfKmk_if-e2aIr9uzWmJ29rInnXM-FQCUmQ5p8Fgg3qDP9dY-gFHiFV5ve-Gg1NIutXF2pQe/w400-h264/8a.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="margin-left: 80px; text-align: left;">File photo of the Geil Khola - Teesta Bazaar section of NH10 in May 2017.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibqTZOvLhe4cixCgkXoF_673JIk4f3BkTRapFJnQxhJ7lyuXrt5XiIHr7i077_TjynHhhDxSQGRb-IGg8ycJVR6SaW73pUDPrQfaJFlE-HXHdG-wlCOLrj0RTijjtFXG8NiMUKipyUHoR3wz0sPZKeanzjTlheHK34Ej65pRLudpB8EMQVpFunofAnmTAq/s2000/8.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibqTZOvLhe4cixCgkXoF_673JIk4f3BkTRapFJnQxhJ7lyuXrt5XiIHr7i077_TjynHhhDxSQGRb-IGg8ycJVR6SaW73pUDPrQfaJFlE-HXHdG-wlCOLrj0RTijjtFXG8NiMUKipyUHoR3wz0sPZKeanzjTlheHK34Ej65pRLudpB8EMQVpFunofAnmTAq/w400-h266/8.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: left;">The same section of the road after the GLOF - notice the level and size of the Teesta river and the many places eroded on NH10. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrlRsJhD263YFIb6GTKmtllvj1D2ZkGunGb6bZRxlUJst7KodKTWSmNT5FCifqFIQSXBitTczN1lz58u8lVuRJdW_pBxwlsYr5G2cYoH6h9Bzp6zfBXGtGdJaaie9uF93JHHR9Ko6NPZkDC93bbSvBO7bLaylDUqT-E3S0fz4xtV3H0Ecgsz8OlcR9LmC_/s2000/9.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="2000" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrlRsJhD263YFIb6GTKmtllvj1D2ZkGunGb6bZRxlUJst7KodKTWSmNT5FCifqFIQSXBitTczN1lz58u8lVuRJdW_pBxwlsYr5G2cYoH6h9Bzp6zfBXGtGdJaaie9uF93JHHR9Ko6NPZkDC93bbSvBO7bLaylDUqT-E3S0fz4xtV3H0Ecgsz8OlcR9LmC_/w400-h225/9.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>This place is in the vicinity of the Teesta bridge. The erosion of the road along the banks of the Teesta can be seen here. <br />Will the NHPC TLDP III dam operations under circumstances where the level of the river has now risen significantly affect NH10? <br />Also the safety of the thousands of vehicles which will ply on the highway when it is reopens and especially during the monsoons of 2024 are questions which need to be pondered upon.<br /><br />Praful Rao<br />Kalimpong district<br />Darjeeling Sikkim Himalaya<br />savethehills@gmail.com<br />9475033744</div></div>SaveTheHillshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02683050982473682760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3323953779460457291.post-55577624127460705962023-10-15T17:55:00.005+05:302023-10-19T12:07:43.689+05:30Reconstructing a rough timeline of the South Lhonak Lake GLOF (04Oct2023)<p>I have talked to many, many people and have received an equal number of versions about when the GLOF started. Some say the lake outburst started as early as 9am on 03Oct2023 and became a full blown flood later;still others say it started between 12.00 midnight and 1 am on 04Oct2023.<br />What is true is in the early morning of 04Oct2023, in the midst of heavy rain and
darkness, thousands scrambled to safer ground leaving everything they possessed behind,
others were not so lucky and got swept away by the swirling, muddy
waters of a river gone berserk. In an attempt to preserve the actual happening and time lines I am publishing screen shots of the telephone calls made and also the WhatsApp messages exchanged between two of my friends and me. One of them is in Kalimpong and the other in Mangan. I have not taken their permission to print this material as such I have removed all identities.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0g-vIxMxNpL79RJGOQwNJjIA-vPhKMeZo1Vf1rJffc-IuTTKYQIB6NOrR16-JQ2VSCCEpdf0MQx6XdY5Dk_5eL4gOuXFDLiEjGgY8_PxGkklOHw10OoM6fKwI57WvhNvNeIRFcEnY5B_mwMqRAl33JXTVt0FfEX4Vz5AcWCcxr3KgkZnPy9t45AvbqovJ/s887/5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="887" data-original-width="556" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0g-vIxMxNpL79RJGOQwNJjIA-vPhKMeZo1Vf1rJffc-IuTTKYQIB6NOrR16-JQ2VSCCEpdf0MQx6XdY5Dk_5eL4gOuXFDLiEjGgY8_PxGkklOHw10OoM6fKwI57WvhNvNeIRFcEnY5B_mwMqRAl33JXTVt0FfEX4Vz5AcWCcxr3KgkZnPy9t45AvbqovJ/w251-h400/5.jpg" width="251" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggthBtJmGbDS0XBW5BKkkbVt2Ee-p44QRkVYBc8eZ_Zv4GOxNNOBtmJK1-HXIvT87ggGcQQX8fF02gJxSG3KZ3SGQDs_XBOgDtU3QRqPbMBlGQNIc9jy228Z_g6VFw-rvDpjoKtQeipScda82ifRD6atvPwWOuNBkvO7CYL2v29i5uTir2UBMBAKTnMtZc/s3161/Screenshot_20231015-081530.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2304" data-original-width="3161" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggthBtJmGbDS0XBW5BKkkbVt2Ee-p44QRkVYBc8eZ_Zv4GOxNNOBtmJK1-HXIvT87ggGcQQX8fF02gJxSG3KZ3SGQDs_XBOgDtU3QRqPbMBlGQNIc9jy228Z_g6VFw-rvDpjoKtQeipScda82ifRD6atvPwWOuNBkvO7CYL2v29i5uTir2UBMBAKTnMtZc/w400-h291/Screenshot_20231015-081530.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Hesitantly between 2.30 & 3.30am or so, I made many calls to friends both in Sikkim and elsewhere to verify the reports which were coming in. Most of the phones were either switched OFF or did not respond. <br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As per WhatsApp message received from the Kalimpong District Administration on STH Whats App group 'Hazard Alerts' at 2.49am, they had issued an alert in the low lying areas, another message at 2.50am from the East Sikkim District Administration reads 'low lying areas being evacuated'. These actions and alerts within the local communities made thousands move to higher ground at that unearthly hour - which is why they are alive today.<br />Screen shots of actual conversations and videos which were sent on Whats App in the early morning of 04Oc2023 are placed below (do understand that I was talking on the phone with my friends while the messages were also being sent) :<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgevUpgkggh4dnlCS0YCRk_pQy-2gjsvXQyXSLQ9z2yMOk_mzWOiPTccfnq5DotzXCCVugKXv3XoTN-YuxGqXOWWuv9IRPA1gbPwr3ZKQ9sTCQu7FknOKdhAZcKEtdCcE2FKg3kg0MhEjIGnJPsSaNnaqgzrfyun3x04gDRDcfH3cvJIb0ft4uaePfYorLH/s2103/1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1276" data-original-width="2103" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgevUpgkggh4dnlCS0YCRk_pQy-2gjsvXQyXSLQ9z2yMOk_mzWOiPTccfnq5DotzXCCVugKXv3XoTN-YuxGqXOWWuv9IRPA1gbPwr3ZKQ9sTCQu7FknOKdhAZcKEtdCcE2FKg3kg0MhEjIGnJPsSaNnaqgzrfyun3x04gDRDcfH3cvJIb0ft4uaePfYorLH/w400-h243/1.jpg" width="400" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKBmbSZ5-jUWIbo7q_9yP8gSR7uz1D67_piL1yjdvLuanr1o7wzWVS0m4XP0_1G0zEoWuyLtD4czgVhZwtEYJPqB6LSDjWP1qZLMvagYT888k5uNrWLeILMg3f5sbT3XnWpiQbgZHO_ISw6RCqxX9323cpSmZeAAo2XXNn3NmB0FoiDT2pSbN8W1jopjhk/s1440/2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1073" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKBmbSZ5-jUWIbo7q_9yP8gSR7uz1D67_piL1yjdvLuanr1o7wzWVS0m4XP0_1G0zEoWuyLtD4czgVhZwtEYJPqB6LSDjWP1qZLMvagYT888k5uNrWLeILMg3f5sbT3XnWpiQbgZHO_ISw6RCqxX9323cpSmZeAAo2XXNn3NmB0FoiDT2pSbN8W1jopjhk/w298-h400/2.jpg" width="298" /></a></div>I have uploaded the first video sent to me at 2.52.36am on 04Oct2023 where a person says the 'the dam has burst, confirmed it has burst - let us run away'.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dw2MbZoaol3Xz125QOxjCe-ALm7qdpbD1iAPtTAiCCN_TdX9K_09J2lSiebbKtRTN3mSFjcAnQs0YWWw0h7BQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Praful Rao<br />Kalimpong district<br />Darjeeling-Sikkim Himalaya<br />savethehills@gmail.com<br />9475033744</div></div><p></p>SaveTheHillshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02683050982473682760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3323953779460457291.post-29078094758262435882023-10-13T19:28:00.009+05:302023-11-14T05:46:18.758+05:30Photo essay on Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) of 04Oct2023: the Kalimpong chapter<p>The GLOF of 04Oct2023 from Lhonak Glacier affected down stream areas in Kalimpong district (W Bengal) as well. As on date, three people are confirmed dead and thirteen people missing, most of these figures coming from the W. Bengal side of Rangpo. <br />However, many of the low lying areas along the path of the river were severely affected and residents of Teesta bazaar recounted how a swollen river had suddenly barged in, in the darkness and in pouring rain at around 3am on 04Oct2023.<br />Kalimpong recorded 147mm rain on 04Oct2023.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCpdKF2990n0YUt-rd_jeubGpEPvTdqtFj5Gwo2VfvOVp_q_z6cNyWn8Oi0iWTTSqGaOStsBDwFu7bphGRgEtIPHXSamsA6jXUd9ZLF_M60UDHNe2684X7sk9EYpFMaEI5fwstq3AWuabzOPIFwv2xzzO4UyXgSuCeqWGYGt7bBbOE_TfQGQVSKRVFgoXo/s2000/affectedareas.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="2000" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCpdKF2990n0YUt-rd_jeubGpEPvTdqtFj5Gwo2VfvOVp_q_z6cNyWn8Oi0iWTTSqGaOStsBDwFu7bphGRgEtIPHXSamsA6jXUd9ZLF_M60UDHNe2684X7sk9EYpFMaEI5fwstq3AWuabzOPIFwv2xzzO4UyXgSuCeqWGYGt7bBbOE_TfQGQVSKRVFgoXo/w400-h274/affectedareas.jpg" width="400" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho3SdxnzR1O34Wz5eEiQeuBl-6DKDfYm79ucEHWVoriD9speDgSwPwHroXluveHXGW1oh2GmMO1VK60n1P2VuD9AO0EEPhXDa6EW4-2sv_t4Iou5Pj54siwSJddOkzK0kGZZVDA7aE5oMpVCC0poMuFDPr13_vhpfTo5WLifZCi5TjzBJqe_yTEoDdiVZR/s2000/map.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1009" data-original-width="2000" height="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho3SdxnzR1O34Wz5eEiQeuBl-6DKDfYm79ucEHWVoriD9speDgSwPwHroXluveHXGW1oh2GmMO1VK60n1P2VuD9AO0EEPhXDa6EW4-2sv_t4Iou5Pj54siwSJddOkzK0kGZZVDA7aE5oMpVCC0poMuFDPr13_vhpfTo5WLifZCi5TjzBJqe_yTEoDdiVZR/w400-h201/map.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />On 10Oct2023, we (Praveen of Junkeri Studios, his team and I) reached Teesta bazaar which is around 15kms from Kalimpong and spent almost 6hrs there and at Melli and Bhalukhola (See map above). We could not see other places such as Geil Khola or Tribeni because the roads are simply non existent:<br />* Road towards Siliguri - damaged at Rabi jhora and Likhu bhir. *Road to Darjeeling and Teesta bazaar - still under Teesta waters at the NH10, Darjeeling road bifurcation.* Road to Tribeni damaged at numerous places from Teesta bazaar to Tribeni. * NH10 towards Gangtok - precarious at many, many places, even tho it was open at that time.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT3zD4KoKKTDTjgh8FwMAO8sK-Gpn8kvbkcBwRNgPmxGwRO5Q0qaCy8fSasbgStkpzCLnqIpcEup_x5w7aorpdv0AL1eA4-CPKzJSMuHlvma6WDHDssrbSeevVaUhmCGuBelBgfnk2L64RqmgKKyVjc4YmMyXsQZFZf_j0k6h7arJDGN7docVjIT2GS8sO/s924/3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="794" data-original-width="924" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT3zD4KoKKTDTjgh8FwMAO8sK-Gpn8kvbkcBwRNgPmxGwRO5Q0qaCy8fSasbgStkpzCLnqIpcEup_x5w7aorpdv0AL1eA4-CPKzJSMuHlvma6WDHDssrbSeevVaUhmCGuBelBgfnk2L64RqmgKKyVjc4YmMyXsQZFZf_j0k6h7arJDGN7docVjIT2GS8sO/s320/3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Relief camp details as on 11Oct2023 are given above. Many more are staying with their friends and relatives in the vicinity.<br />Loss of livestock also has been a major issue with countless pigs, cattle, poultry and goats being swept away by the floods.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcKeoTXomN7sH9eyof71sMFmanDxvZfSMJBGjOcZDzoYkJoHQoipLb0tXNAeEF_6XShwZKCI4AVnIARsvNvdy_I8kAl_Ds-zqat3FYCWbDKxlm0vLOMqkmKOf-D6FbrP6dM7f0vx3xe3ktuAoTE74rgx6bK79akW45VHrjGpMKT9qZMnGoibRHV1RO0boe/s2000/3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcKeoTXomN7sH9eyof71sMFmanDxvZfSMJBGjOcZDzoYkJoHQoipLb0tXNAeEF_6XShwZKCI4AVnIARsvNvdy_I8kAl_Ds-zqat3FYCWbDKxlm0vLOMqkmKOf-D6FbrP6dM7f0vx3xe3ktuAoTE74rgx6bK79akW45VHrjGpMKT9qZMnGoibRHV1RO0boe/w400-h266/3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>What struck us on reaching Teesta was the sheer size and swiftness of the river even after 6 days of the GLOF and the amount of debris/sand and sediment the river was still carrying.I wondered how this was possible? since it was not raining heavily in North Sikkim.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6ALBFHwbGQAKFwug2CnLl-M4573KARoBlSwBBNL7P39LBbcTd5fAJl5xphB3RO8wXXTZS2u9JfsXg1aTT8e9QcN4WpdiIdNvwRuDo4RjBuD-EvDFANM3M-1x9kEVclmAxGkm6i9TkDm-PGHBh0lnz4SPGqHtTXfpICJrxbxX0L7e2qc0NPoD4jaTz1g4o/s2000/1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6ALBFHwbGQAKFwug2CnLl-M4573KARoBlSwBBNL7P39LBbcTd5fAJl5xphB3RO8wXXTZS2u9JfsXg1aTT8e9QcN4WpdiIdNvwRuDo4RjBuD-EvDFANM3M-1x9kEVclmAxGkm6i9TkDm-PGHBh0lnz4SPGqHtTXfpICJrxbxX0L7e2qc0NPoD4jaTz1g4o/w400-h266/1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is the road to Darjeeling at Teesta bazaar.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitWtrCDCp6K3vSLv6SJiwMWQQNv8h2HX_jCtyajY7vYLz8TfhkhYqLBAv50tUQhMqOCuozrK3V6rCHT-SJNQY-UmOal6emduRZ3ET4p2tiXUhFAhQHdw39y25iV3nW8r4w3Xy9jaO26_-5g2EBzj-KpHPbEmGo2ScYnQXChUrapnXOK7b5iRvYQeTPZHvz/s2000/4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitWtrCDCp6K3vSLv6SJiwMWQQNv8h2HX_jCtyajY7vYLz8TfhkhYqLBAv50tUQhMqOCuozrK3V6rCHT-SJNQY-UmOal6emduRZ3ET4p2tiXUhFAhQHdw39y25iV3nW8r4w3Xy9jaO26_-5g2EBzj-KpHPbEmGo2ScYnQXChUrapnXOK7b5iRvYQeTPZHvz/w400-h266/4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>With the river still flowing from one bank to the other and at much higher level (because of the silt deposit), parts of the road to Darjeeling are still submerged.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijK4BoNOCo4pOB9lzlqdsCe5_uFU8evQCLVRdhXTQeWfqOdoXboauP-71razvMKDO_ChsVIDLXgj8zu1YWM0X_qszM5-4Zg2FKYQ2Q7Tan7mIy280kVpBCSK26xX69XlBno55v8eF4Q4gWVa_4WhmwQy_53OfbmX2GmunRpZSTE3mbiRazI9QnbXWB4T14/s2000/5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijK4BoNOCo4pOB9lzlqdsCe5_uFU8evQCLVRdhXTQeWfqOdoXboauP-71razvMKDO_ChsVIDLXgj8zu1YWM0X_qszM5-4Zg2FKYQ2Q7Tan7mIy280kVpBCSK26xX69XlBno55v8eF4Q4gWVa_4WhmwQy_53OfbmX2GmunRpZSTE3mbiRazI9QnbXWB4T14/w400-h266/5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>A dog lazily scratches himself, while sitting on the roof of a home which is still under water at Teesta bazaar. We were told that 45 homes had been damaged or destroyed in this area. Notice the water level is almost at the same level as the road. We observed this everywhere - the water level has gone up dramatically, even as much as 20-30 feet and now the river is flowing much closer to populated areas and the railway tunnels.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJBB9xjA9nkvwelv-Y27PKBM8wqZrAAqr1CA0TVkCUXZ5mdaepY8gfrFtDkJry8gabOONd5Cup7A5cIdTdYlw2YY7d1Py_7VFMRIMcyql1EzElK3u2LcLqTSbu6K4_d74fJegp8NzwckJjGKndXZTCTMxNaBDuOYGD0tLyaD9frjwSE7QNZvmGJ13Xsl5q/s2000/6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJBB9xjA9nkvwelv-Y27PKBM8wqZrAAqr1CA0TVkCUXZ5mdaepY8gfrFtDkJry8gabOONd5Cup7A5cIdTdYlw2YY7d1Py_7VFMRIMcyql1EzElK3u2LcLqTSbu6K4_d74fJegp8NzwckJjGKndXZTCTMxNaBDuOYGD0tLyaD9frjwSE7QNZvmGJ13Xsl5q/w400-h266/6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Sunayana Devi stands on the roof of what was earlier her kitchen. Half of her three storey structure is now filled with sand and the sudden invasion by the flood waters prevented them from saving anything. Like many so many others we spoke to, she wants the government to relocate her to a safer place.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYa5yYHaiatRRlI8Qaz779lwzTFodqpPGl-Mztq2ZoT4auSVme3NFk2P-Xusr-iiIsPlevJt8D8PLSz7RVmi5tuOYcu9e94O15cHE34MklMc2cbOVdULm7BseWGqVlk66Ynwu8hyAZe9DE1nFrPzYNmKywqknc62aBTmFcMjX-tkVY3Rzy2qRf2ihld5ed/s2000/P4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYa5yYHaiatRRlI8Qaz779lwzTFodqpPGl-Mztq2ZoT4auSVme3NFk2P-Xusr-iiIsPlevJt8D8PLSz7RVmi5tuOYcu9e94O15cHE34MklMc2cbOVdULm7BseWGqVlk66Ynwu8hyAZe9DE1nFrPzYNmKywqknc62aBTmFcMjX-tkVY3Rzy2qRf2ihld5ed/w400-h266/P4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>An elderly lady and two young relatives check the damage to their home in Teesta bazaar. The river is today just a few meters away from their home which itself is dangerously cracked. - photo by Praveen.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1tS7Tdw2br3o_ypNEkB1jP56s3heXp5mb2q69eBPE6LWkIzRgerGOjQDIPC9umVt05QlwUEvubMF0ax531duUa8TwMz907cxkqZN4ddjscavv36jEHUof3ASRVVmMKV97zjH49lB4Bu4HhjIhpxv5IN1dz0K_tgzOtnGw6-9DZC9YaKnB-gGjrvbfjx0i/s2000/7.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1tS7Tdw2br3o_ypNEkB1jP56s3heXp5mb2q69eBPE6LWkIzRgerGOjQDIPC9umVt05QlwUEvubMF0ax531duUa8TwMz907cxkqZN4ddjscavv36jEHUof3ASRVVmMKV97zjH49lB4Bu4HhjIhpxv5IN1dz0K_tgzOtnGw6-9DZC9YaKnB-gGjrvbfjx0i/w400-h266/7.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>The ferocity of the flood waters is unimaginable - the Teesta dumped 10-15 feet of sand on these two vehicles (and everything else) in its 3 hour rampage at the center of the bazaar. We were lucky this time - our casualty figures are far less than what was expected.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIR-4uJNrp84P8uL4mU-jcqjS1nHZqcBMaDFK7xsvM4DGrBFPCoEeroY3F3-2AHPLrhy6ICWaxpmzve2d1v9vrYcnR5eikcpC_ufchnycGpTkZAxFpI-ufFiY0vEMUL1vyPJdZeUfMIdACuOiZ0tBdM5wjT4yeokU0Nq1SKUZgSSmwHcB01UMdUFFi8l1O/s2000/P5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIR-4uJNrp84P8uL4mU-jcqjS1nHZqcBMaDFK7xsvM4DGrBFPCoEeroY3F3-2AHPLrhy6ICWaxpmzve2d1v9vrYcnR5eikcpC_ufchnycGpTkZAxFpI-ufFiY0vEMUL1vyPJdZeUfMIdACuOiZ0tBdM5wjT4yeokU0Nq1SKUZgSSmwHcB01UMdUFFi8l1O/w400-h266/P5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Volunteers clearing up in Teesta bazaar take a break from their work - photo by Praveen.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBoK1ehAY0BdFXjI4h7LAGiq_PUyXo3Zid-RM_7XVjvaldTm7a0jHS9mg5sOvmd4EgjdXPgRISaDKu5lCjmtiKnPHbvVTF6QOWKm8Rqbda4fJvdp6wDOndXJVMol1ikOvJZpwOjrmK1V0gWYbmCueOkxKtW4FwA0kNw2Q1o4kYYLmXEqgbF_7FkjLachn_/s2000/P3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBoK1ehAY0BdFXjI4h7LAGiq_PUyXo3Zid-RM_7XVjvaldTm7a0jHS9mg5sOvmd4EgjdXPgRISaDKu5lCjmtiKnPHbvVTF6QOWKm8Rqbda4fJvdp6wDOndXJVMol1ikOvJZpwOjrmK1V0gWYbmCueOkxKtW4FwA0kNw2Q1o4kYYLmXEqgbF_7FkjLachn_/w400-h266/P3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Remains of a brand new resort in Teesta Bazaar after the GLOF. Huge chunks of whatever is seen in this image are cracked and dangerously tilting towards the river - photo by Praveen.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvvRsz3u746tbtEDfr75l2WT3aCcLEq3NtxrxbE7Z6Qio78z2zzfBtPznTPSAq01TS2DMwIqn-QuMnmKMDmoZ3CrhNHhZZALnzGsXKupsFOd_X6D6AofXDbu-37_4DB7qX-wjGVMSPkcFIg8nq_NmXPRRYC0GTE9u2oT1AMXhIEBpW1DFwspEHJwSzljaQ/s2000/P9.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1498" data-original-width="2000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvvRsz3u746tbtEDfr75l2WT3aCcLEq3NtxrxbE7Z6Qio78z2zzfBtPznTPSAq01TS2DMwIqn-QuMnmKMDmoZ3CrhNHhZZALnzGsXKupsFOd_X6D6AofXDbu-37_4DB7qX-wjGVMSPkcFIg8nq_NmXPRRYC0GTE9u2oT1AMXhIEBpW1DFwspEHJwSzljaQ/w400-h300/P9.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Even though not many lives were lost, the GLOF wreaked havoc on the infrastructure in the 3-4 hour event. All this comes at a time when people of this region are looking forward to celebrating the festive season ahead - photo by Praveen.<br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeiYCORskDf1uL1nzs5BZlPnoNMub7zP0lFrB5XLuRtFdFZAek207jgj6bBsWAKvImxsIMCWCdvK83e-25_h_aX5s90goQMqVUJ7nuwOw14OmNEQMzYdS6Zbli0m4Wcc_Kbq3gwrvreS5Et3Jix7k1EB6M9ZX1bwpzFWzccVXqAYVslHRA4aHivLOAmKbQ/s2000/8.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeiYCORskDf1uL1nzs5BZlPnoNMub7zP0lFrB5XLuRtFdFZAek207jgj6bBsWAKvImxsIMCWCdvK83e-25_h_aX5s90goQMqVUJ7nuwOw14OmNEQMzYdS6Zbli0m4Wcc_Kbq3gwrvreS5Et3Jix7k1EB6M9ZX1bwpzFWzccVXqAYVslHRA4aHivLOAmKbQ/w400-h266/8.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>A priest and a devotee perform a puja on the banks of the Teesta perhaps to pacify the river Gods. The river looks deceptively calm.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho1bGAfyOTZIw70Dxkg-TSixcW6BT3m5Jj2SCAmBd1pHld_VIpTgVyOjb_DI5VSWu-wJBBZuhB3Dos_lXNBww59GApV-PWTdncDWQrzxJjNiYbGJgLo1gev_mFJEo9hHtvp0CWOTLIHeFtpQyEbq82tyhVvatOwGkp-m9Xp-fm6CrYTfy7xpHYfIyvqLPX/s2000/9.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho1bGAfyOTZIw70Dxkg-TSixcW6BT3m5Jj2SCAmBd1pHld_VIpTgVyOjb_DI5VSWu-wJBBZuhB3Dos_lXNBww59GApV-PWTdncDWQrzxJjNiYbGJgLo1gev_mFJEo9hHtvp0CWOTLIHeFtpQyEbq82tyhVvatOwGkp-m9Xp-fm6CrYTfy7xpHYfIyvqLPX/w400-h266/9.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Fresh rations stock at Melli bazaar (W Bengal side). <br />The worst affected here were the two shanty colonies (located below the Melli bridge) which comprised of almost 30 odd homes. Nothing remains except a solitary, sand covered Masjid where the the predominantly Muslim dwellers used to worship. <br />As with others, a victim wanted the government to swiftly shift them to a safer location.<br />At most places we visited, there was no shortage of food or clothing for the time being - but winter is nigh and these people will need sustained care to help them recoup.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOOdM_Hhn4f_njexha_wRMhQ8ovxLeB9_oXcbAqEyDH-uwzHn4P4stIKZED0WmrgwxebyMa60wn6Ug-cjjX4qh08WBxrC7UpLjtCNTuZnoSDpd945rY62DdRIDR1LlA88CHfs6tIEbHfZ4s_SyMi6-JtxVCmR_hbqe_XFO0RPJeAeypaOHsox-eRqfFDdc/s2000/P11.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1498" data-original-width="2000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOOdM_Hhn4f_njexha_wRMhQ8ovxLeB9_oXcbAqEyDH-uwzHn4P4stIKZED0WmrgwxebyMa60wn6Ug-cjjX4qh08WBxrC7UpLjtCNTuZnoSDpd945rY62DdRIDR1LlA88CHfs6tIEbHfZ4s_SyMi6-JtxVCmR_hbqe_XFO0RPJeAeypaOHsox-eRqfFDdc/w400-h300/P11.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Drone image by Praveen of Melli stadium (Sikkim) covered with sludge. Do notice at where the Teesta is flowing.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOCAWKPNAfgNwELGKUQ-EOi3TdnJCj47UEPIKAY1pBadsGecRc4SOJ-seISvryWbuj_VCHw5Kg4jkNAxK1l0dPeUt7uKbXAjoGsIeI8t2HCM3hveTkhsJ7xoU9txWQu-e9aaKXAgzuAfYaaaoRE9MCA5cfYik8X7hTZSWTn1Kg-bzpgB_hlLbIm8mldUbY/s2000/10.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOCAWKPNAfgNwELGKUQ-EOi3TdnJCj47UEPIKAY1pBadsGecRc4SOJ-seISvryWbuj_VCHw5Kg4jkNAxK1l0dPeUt7uKbXAjoGsIeI8t2HCM3hveTkhsJ7xoU9txWQu-e9aaKXAgzuAfYaaaoRE9MCA5cfYik8X7hTZSWTn1Kg-bzpgB_hlLbIm8mldUbY/w400-h266/10.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Teesta stomps into the courtyard of the Tribeni Covid Hospital.<br />This large structure was used as the GTA Covid Hospital during the pandemic and is extensively used by tour operators to entertain tourists even overnight. Luckily no one was around when Teesta came calling on 04Oct2023 at 3am.<br />One can see quite a lot of damage in the right flank of the building in the drone image by Praveen (below).<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0qG3JinU5AGPNLUhTvnIv8duOpTtd65HYYoIkH4PcEVOSy0jL44oWwYtzr5JyoLVx3hcWgbsXPs2fcIvvPhb_KC-R4KxWN2bxvjTvmcZ3o7eaPLzJYuNycLt_3DmLmHmz8xglIeW4ZErORo9WFzekArENpOomHcpZbT7zEDnsKfrdNww9HJBesuMBo9C7/s2000/P12.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1498" data-original-width="2000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0qG3JinU5AGPNLUhTvnIv8duOpTtd65HYYoIkH4PcEVOSy0jL44oWwYtzr5JyoLVx3hcWgbsXPs2fcIvvPhb_KC-R4KxWN2bxvjTvmcZ3o7eaPLzJYuNycLt_3DmLmHmz8xglIeW4ZErORo9WFzekArENpOomHcpZbT7zEDnsKfrdNww9HJBesuMBo9C7/w400-h300/P12.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmCvhFIqCFzXKJbTktsr1H2qHZKJsoyD3CZj36m5R1PNd7KcbqBxIlO1S3IlF3ybEHQaCH0KWSRbI_wJx2o-F4Aexo5xpTGh-LaRDl4XpjpU2VV2FnsYjwBzFL-tUKbhmQ4AwoDnfYYPsEx78qONV_OWLNWbhjf1LxpJ1EYgMvneWKcso78vzuoXwhv4BV/s2000/11.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmCvhFIqCFzXKJbTktsr1H2qHZKJsoyD3CZj36m5R1PNd7KcbqBxIlO1S3IlF3ybEHQaCH0KWSRbI_wJx2o-F4Aexo5xpTGh-LaRDl4XpjpU2VV2FnsYjwBzFL-tUKbhmQ4AwoDnfYYPsEx78qONV_OWLNWbhjf1LxpJ1EYgMvneWKcso78vzuoXwhv4BV/w400-h266/11.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>NH10, opposite Melli town.<br />The GLOF of Oct2023 together with the dam operations is going to make NH10 maintenance a headache. Numerous places along the NH10 are subsiding and this makes driving at night on the highway even dangerous.<br />Another image by Praveen of the damage to NH10 is below<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrvdjN77UL3GlP1gAJcW7L_gInjk5e6QwdAz7M_GR10M0WKsCrTM1iTzAI6rEHmUvr7w7MyJFD8JSIb3bXNb_kzzk_JgjaziUE7S4mMgzHhhhvMMeB2cYCYnD8CxIWwBMOmUxrHgkAWr5SW_ZHSMYD1tmn0MPYATFRj1ZOflJP5k3wBH8uiOQC4LmoJE5q/s2000/P10.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1498" data-original-width="2000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrvdjN77UL3GlP1gAJcW7L_gInjk5e6QwdAz7M_GR10M0WKsCrTM1iTzAI6rEHmUvr7w7MyJFD8JSIb3bXNb_kzzk_JgjaziUE7S4mMgzHhhhvMMeB2cYCYnD8CxIWwBMOmUxrHgkAWr5SW_ZHSMYD1tmn0MPYATFRj1ZOflJP5k3wBH8uiOQC4LmoJE5q/w400-h300/P10.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmrJSDOXhlW9gaUSIKIcAE0EKa3azB0D7n5A0hwJRwIJ_8H0ea8MhWdBgf8YW99qNKtVR0jdgv3HO7JrM6L2YolGUMKu5rN67pY-WmVtSIjaR1luGKspq5DjiVZ7bokxmzvqj_AcMUbLnx9VJik4cJ-Yh_5t07zg1ToYE3DJkDwrAvv83bOqw_c9ElfLQU/s2000/12.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmrJSDOXhlW9gaUSIKIcAE0EKa3azB0D7n5A0hwJRwIJ_8H0ea8MhWdBgf8YW99qNKtVR0jdgv3HO7JrM6L2YolGUMKu5rN67pY-WmVtSIjaR1luGKspq5DjiVZ7bokxmzvqj_AcMUbLnx9VJik4cJ-Yh_5t07zg1ToYE3DJkDwrAvv83bOqw_c9ElfLQU/w400-h266/12.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>The UCNI church at Bhalukhola, near Melli. This is low lying area which was flooded during the GLOF.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ2e0bpk9UzKIn9eNbqAey_9h_2o-fB00gAIr3LTImiz4fJVUYK5Y321yjSKaUcgKxhHyxR-OM27wPjU3y_BacJsDzw_TMtZTlxhbHDVqgHqxchEptkDbWkNULAMD8cdrR-DBw1xK-Mhvate_1yVzGiruchSCNqD9t1rgoMALsajQS-57MRh6IAEjuOk4Y/s2000/P1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ2e0bpk9UzKIn9eNbqAey_9h_2o-fB00gAIr3LTImiz4fJVUYK5Y321yjSKaUcgKxhHyxR-OM27wPjU3y_BacJsDzw_TMtZTlxhbHDVqgHqxchEptkDbWkNULAMD8cdrR-DBw1xK-Mhvate_1yVzGiruchSCNqD9t1rgoMALsajQS-57MRh6IAEjuOk4Y/w400-h266/P1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>The living room of a home at Bhalukhola - an entire lifetime's earnings have been reduced to sludge and mud covered trash- Photo by Praveen<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiovGZnjAM3xkqNJdRCbmpV8dx5yBAZXRTiyMlVehS7KMs0cmdi0mibowE8N2ByMKm_znJx0IpLV2MeKK419hvapR09OAoEZh-OZL4OsUqtJ_MOU68hrTRe1MiAkDP4OhTAlz9oYUpAhMJTBOGvP9WL0aSeyMIIpMkPT2D9T70rXFA2oWIi0SHKfMIwPHPS/s2000/P2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiovGZnjAM3xkqNJdRCbmpV8dx5yBAZXRTiyMlVehS7KMs0cmdi0mibowE8N2ByMKm_znJx0IpLV2MeKK419hvapR09OAoEZh-OZL4OsUqtJ_MOU68hrTRe1MiAkDP4OhTAlz9oYUpAhMJTBOGvP9WL0aSeyMIIpMkPT2D9T70rXFA2oWIi0SHKfMIwPHPS/w400-h266/P2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>There was a shanty colony here in Bhalukhola, which has been swept away by the flood. The more permanent structures have survived but will need extensive repair. <br />But looking at the proximity of the river and the elevated level at which it is flowing, will anyone risk returning to these homes? Photo by Praveen.<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /><b>An after thought and a sense of deja vu</b><br />I find it strange that on 10Oct2023, I did exactly the same thing I did from the same spot, 55years ago in Oct1968 - that is, photograph the devastation caused by a raging river from the opposite bank of the Teesta.<br />I have written about it <a href="http://savethehills.blogspot.com/2019/08/a-document-from-past-my-restored-photo.html" target="_blank">here</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Update on 16Oct2023:</b> <b>Teesta-Darjeeling road open</b> 'but repairs still going on', as reported by Mr Soam Namchu of Glen Family Foundation today in STH Whats App group 'Hazard Alerts'<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCq56F_vuWcjz2Q_C7Zy-dK0xC3a-KZI0QHZhKB0DNclQWfWixmLgEV5Yj98IaVQgpJuVjrfXfzAhxsmnh4cvKE5rD7HrnVSqXuthSd7FO2H1FmC-pfn-HfSwYNugb8S015OHd4HBcuIqPwZN37dobKGdKuo6iEGDAE9phKTdeo5QFARdP455dfz82kX7D/s1539/13.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1539" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCq56F_vuWcjz2Q_C7Zy-dK0xC3a-KZI0QHZhKB0DNclQWfWixmLgEV5Yj98IaVQgpJuVjrfXfzAhxsmnh4cvKE5rD7HrnVSqXuthSd7FO2H1FmC-pfn-HfSwYNugb8S015OHd4HBcuIqPwZN37dobKGdKuo6iEGDAE9phKTdeo5QFARdP455dfz82kX7D/s320/13.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Photo credit: Soam Namchu<br /><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Again, my gratitude to all those who helped make this documentation possible.<br /><br /><br />Praful Rao<br />Kalimpong district<br />Darjeeling - Sikkim Himalaya<br />savethehills@gmail.com<br />9475033744<br /></div></div><br />SaveTheHillshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02683050982473682760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3323953779460457291.post-69833071885931310752023-10-13T06:05:00.001+05:302023-10-13T06:05:06.185+05:30New Images released by NRSC on the GLOF (04Oct2023) at South Lhonak Glacier<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsNeThcm9e1s9oUOhhOONURN_TfcCHyAHKpZMVR8-Kz_1qK_K6xisZQR0YZj_S_tGdXzGn2ZCQ-qabSDOdqKFQIhvU6oVdmDXjL8S0ykKcTtd4GjdUVSrkx-7zqzdegTWl5qUQJb1QIWuwn83K1SHEOW4Z4Wl__W1MfmDgaPFoa6nQqtGikwVKHhwHzhcB/s1361/11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="956" data-original-width="1361" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsNeThcm9e1s9oUOhhOONURN_TfcCHyAHKpZMVR8-Kz_1qK_K6xisZQR0YZj_S_tGdXzGn2ZCQ-qabSDOdqKFQIhvU6oVdmDXjL8S0ykKcTtd4GjdUVSrkx-7zqzdegTWl5qUQJb1QIWuwn83K1SHEOW4Z4Wl__W1MfmDgaPFoa6nQqtGikwVKHhwHzhcB/w400-h281/11.jpg" width="400" /></a><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDL3mFy_JD1vEFEhluwsSJNc7fSmRsXI6OJSX66-OQFgWJMu2Hu_cTdwaRzvWjtSbjBRRAXoxQGP_ZzY78fdmAsRX92tC6ghL9BKtFdDYcAMnv8uklJfqT3st_EWdlXDUpF7EvnCh90RDGv5QMv1Io9BII3MXRBIk3RLer4Hy_OfzY3BJoskoOWr7ALCMg/s1361/12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="964" data-original-width="1361" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDL3mFy_JD1vEFEhluwsSJNc7fSmRsXI6OJSX66-OQFgWJMu2Hu_cTdwaRzvWjtSbjBRRAXoxQGP_ZzY78fdmAsRX92tC6ghL9BKtFdDYcAMnv8uklJfqT3st_EWdlXDUpF7EvnCh90RDGv5QMv1Io9BII3MXRBIk3RLer4Hy_OfzY3BJoskoOWr7ALCMg/w400-h284/12.jpg" width="400" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDsLsdCFZpFQpyvmUsyeAVSsmt7qaoClsXTGD1Z9NkojlJ65fk3B2ASlsW1Foi2MROHr7yp6USlxTNM0S6QLpEdU-Jvc54SOK_DSpGmNpwzymwfluT3OZfC-fWkgHwqRsFhJ8nQuR_JECWLbtySaU_CUBrsLrYJXfwPPUdQtmsYv8LQQSaBUQwVZVphASI/s1368/9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="975" data-original-width="1368" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDsLsdCFZpFQpyvmUsyeAVSsmt7qaoClsXTGD1Z9NkojlJ65fk3B2ASlsW1Foi2MROHr7yp6USlxTNM0S6QLpEdU-Jvc54SOK_DSpGmNpwzymwfluT3OZfC-fWkgHwqRsFhJ8nQuR_JECWLbtySaU_CUBrsLrYJXfwPPUdQtmsYv8LQQSaBUQwVZVphASI/w400-h285/9.jpg" width="400" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTs1n1PJeo5mtpG1Ox1eJJTAq9ReVGjt4Filg723kiDw2Id2DOnU647YP4bHjZX8vPJmQXQG-l60GBkhYjXgnognoZ4725Hj-f4n09XpKD3KHFDjxbiSi-ymPE4gkbJ3rVmH3xe8INGsnEFZLsqZCR4D_fj_lk_zdhrBvi3oACiZZr6oWkx30vFjhNMde4/s1364/10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="962" data-original-width="1364" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTs1n1PJeo5mtpG1Ox1eJJTAq9ReVGjt4Filg723kiDw2Id2DOnU647YP4bHjZX8vPJmQXQG-l60GBkhYjXgnognoZ4725Hj-f4n09XpKD3KHFDjxbiSi-ymPE4gkbJ3rVmH3xe8INGsnEFZLsqZCR4D_fj_lk_zdhrBvi3oACiZZr6oWkx30vFjhNMde4/w400-h283/10.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Praful Rao<br />Kalimpong district<br />Darjeeling-Sikkim Himalayas<br />savethehills@gmail.com<br />9475033744<br /></div><br /></div><br /><br /> <p></p>SaveTheHillshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02683050982473682760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3323953779460457291.post-58746739497828503962023-10-08T18:44:00.008+05:302023-10-13T06:52:46.272+05:30Photo Essay on Glacier Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) affected areas of Rangpo (Sikkim): 06Oct2023<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1UEWhJYzsm-Orp5VmFD5dhN-sUhQ0BRbT7TqykAAx5WTXhlu7-sP6ozbhyphenhyphenQm6cD_bcFOAxf1y7yz2sTiNVGh4SyypYmPh6YToNtoICbTxpOUVRhi6c-6WGu7R8fSY7PWK-pxV-pjMcKYR-08o8vpl3EhW_Pawe63CrWIIr-GUKKeXhKDOiN4XHkQyugMK/s1200/map1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1105" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1UEWhJYzsm-Orp5VmFD5dhN-sUhQ0BRbT7TqykAAx5WTXhlu7-sP6ozbhyphenhyphenQm6cD_bcFOAxf1y7yz2sTiNVGh4SyypYmPh6YToNtoICbTxpOUVRhi6c-6WGu7R8fSY7PWK-pxV-pjMcKYR-08o8vpl3EhW_Pawe63CrWIIr-GUKKeXhKDOiN4XHkQyugMK/w369-h400/map1.jpg" width="369" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Map showing IMD rainfall gauge stations along the Teesta valley as well as important places<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgO5A30_nbq90_PEJLXIsIYPoMPFwHNT2SYHMsLtIO1khCdaLeyzLqQ9Vd76AjHCzsDhbLeGmAgoWHVEY09kK_noit8xPLnzH7iEwOiE-tGsuzjBrUAz1dzbufpLPxWUXVqzkbP1sIx9FRKivRa4k7P_xfynJ5A7ySikt1lISAwfQTOTumaMY-3-9172cX/s2352/24.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1568" data-original-width="2352" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgO5A30_nbq90_PEJLXIsIYPoMPFwHNT2SYHMsLtIO1khCdaLeyzLqQ9Vd76AjHCzsDhbLeGmAgoWHVEY09kK_noit8xPLnzH7iEwOiE-tGsuzjBrUAz1dzbufpLPxWUXVqzkbP1sIx9FRKivRa4k7P_xfynJ5A7ySikt1lISAwfQTOTumaMY-3-9172cX/w400-h266/24.jpg" width="400" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj78M8jxubvqAKBys0zWJjGmaMTTWo1ynW-JSiJI_3li8h0UG4YpyCWbheRTLa4jULBQqtKT2mztA0CLAjHv3t-1UYscYz88hC5sjGP_IkxiYYP8yQo681dEeWUmwBUrVrm5Pvv2rZg9OLzcRFEohUauBGd212f2987thM0xGtLJJ70_fZ2zdXiEfDjDydD/s2352/25.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1568" data-original-width="2352" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj78M8jxubvqAKBys0zWJjGmaMTTWo1ynW-JSiJI_3li8h0UG4YpyCWbheRTLa4jULBQqtKT2mztA0CLAjHv3t-1UYscYz88hC5sjGP_IkxiYYP8yQo681dEeWUmwBUrVrm5Pvv2rZg9OLzcRFEohUauBGd212f2987thM0xGtLJJ70_fZ2zdXiEfDjDydD/w400-h266/25.jpg" width="400" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVkgxctva2OEM2JIhH3XEQ9Vc5I71FDDWnEMhWJfvJ1iYFO-KELxotSVs0qrWTWY_KaU7C7jgoCIeoG9fgQnDVahW0kHNi3AAEg1-w8bQRBvDLq-rQvaJToipH-Qv-NdYBhyvi0BxEZ30iVnY_PX3vy7Nqvt-xtrAZIHSBZS41_e-ibtua_IIHVEcN19wg/s2352/26.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1568" data-original-width="2352" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVkgxctva2OEM2JIhH3XEQ9Vc5I71FDDWnEMhWJfvJ1iYFO-KELxotSVs0qrWTWY_KaU7C7jgoCIeoG9fgQnDVahW0kHNi3AAEg1-w8bQRBvDLq-rQvaJToipH-Qv-NdYBhyvi0BxEZ30iVnY_PX3vy7Nqvt-xtrAZIHSBZS41_e-ibtua_IIHVEcN19wg/w400-h266/26.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Images of Chungthang dam under construction in April2013, when I visited North Sikkim. This dam was commissioned in Feb2017 and became known as the<a href="https://sikkimurjalimited.in/" target="_blank"> Sikkim-Urja power project</a>. It was the largest (1200MW) hydro-electric dam in Darjeeling-Sikkim Himalayas and collapsed in the early hours of 04Oct2023 under a glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) in South Lhonak glacier in North Sikkim.</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHg0QASV6SBsbgFx7aucMAAIF_8Wh_KkeUBdBAANVCUqKDDNrn-FspmaTyzGzoi6v8eFG8zyj2BTzxAyfZrBzCebHvc9PcdFS87LUoHnN-djGRgN5StnYnvmjyNey1PZYJepaJkitfWKN7QPKoh68MUlJoU-LWWcFJOaPd3QHOMZJKoyF-PifM14eM0Jzy/s1383/Map.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="1383" height="334" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHg0QASV6SBsbgFx7aucMAAIF_8Wh_KkeUBdBAANVCUqKDDNrn-FspmaTyzGzoi6v8eFG8zyj2BTzxAyfZrBzCebHvc9PcdFS87LUoHnN-djGRgN5StnYnvmjyNey1PZYJepaJkitfWKN7QPKoh68MUlJoU-LWWcFJOaPd3QHOMZJKoyF-PifM14eM0Jzy/w400-h334/Map.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD0PRKbxYNRiY9THI26CtJDZQgKWJVNprgkZfu6vvfrM3soBv-LVPtgEdy_xhfGAvWvnwzBCq-R7pMsYNkCKcpKXU7HzuKYKN4jrMxT1jC0IUiFoFjl3HxwBigY493t2Ca4rrV62jWhDfoAG6JDBngMp75Gaq_4OjfqEnBWn3hQi64jb_M8qvzxlLQmUvv/s2661/Rangpo1a..jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2661" data-original-width="2000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD0PRKbxYNRiY9THI26CtJDZQgKWJVNprgkZfu6vvfrM3soBv-LVPtgEdy_xhfGAvWvnwzBCq-R7pMsYNkCKcpKXU7HzuKYKN4jrMxT1jC0IUiFoFjl3HxwBigY493t2Ca4rrV62jWhDfoAG6JDBngMp75Gaq_4OjfqEnBWn3hQi64jb_M8qvzxlLQmUvv/w301-h400/Rangpo1a..jpg" width="301" /></a></div>I took these two images of Rangpo town two years apart, in October and from almost the same spot. The BEFORE and AFTER photos clearly show the devastation caused by the GLOF. The top photo shows IBM colony of Rangpo when it was a thriving market place and the lower image shows it as it was, after the GLOF which transformed it into a sand covered field.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe8dqY_TRYvk2VHJ1TFNmsJKsramIiYtJfodHn_GIaCjB-TLlrot7oJQuLHdAkVLTYG2MQTgMHMHc2JFyxIGMMTfPqRojMA3nwFYR0rCG9U110yaCV_og5E9NA0jA_pW8Zkqj37K7auhiS0R6ogCfeN7hb9bpcivouZo3QJcJhWQ67Mn5C62t9CjI5fPpp/s2000/P7.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1498" data-original-width="2000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe8dqY_TRYvk2VHJ1TFNmsJKsramIiYtJfodHn_GIaCjB-TLlrot7oJQuLHdAkVLTYG2MQTgMHMHc2JFyxIGMMTfPqRojMA3nwFYR0rCG9U110yaCV_og5E9NA0jA_pW8Zkqj37K7auhiS0R6ogCfeN7hb9bpcivouZo3QJcJhWQ67Mn5C62t9CjI5fPpp/w400-h300/P7.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Drone image of parts of IBM colony of Rangpo. Much of the shanty colony of tin homes were swept away by the Teesta river and the concrete structures buried under almost 15 feet of sand. The areas where the river never reached survived (Photo credit: Praveen)<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigj6_OPMsH8Q1U-m38F0cKhvAgEHfpZ-gfOsKspF2LTf8bjBraBptlQVXkoPCxmEkhHkYb9ULcqQAE7QRP1nCIEemYOaE9mqjzGH8cOHV8sPyPRtZOElhStpLnxgA2TZ4L9HlrUJS-pws9hhZHS8KHcDQBA29Fz2YG-Rgx5S720UudRpPiOsG9pvePI7me/s2000/1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigj6_OPMsH8Q1U-m38F0cKhvAgEHfpZ-gfOsKspF2LTf8bjBraBptlQVXkoPCxmEkhHkYb9ULcqQAE7QRP1nCIEemYOaE9mqjzGH8cOHV8sPyPRtZOElhStpLnxgA2TZ4L9HlrUJS-pws9hhZHS8KHcDQBA29Fz2YG-Rgx5S720UudRpPiOsG9pvePI7me/w400-h266/1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>IBM colony of Rangpo town. What was once a thriving market place with 500 - 800 shops, homes and smaller businesses is now buried under 10-15 feet of sand which Teesta river deposited during its brief but violent visit to this place.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIs5CbGt9tKSr7MPPb-0d4j0jbf1RUN_ZqBzvrwcmVDkCsOYhG3DPMyHm7BIqbkpb10CmLo5S0wHqyef4CBy3A8BLNxwGr1V3uNSTWUo8dC7VS6yDXxztfWR3aXxoKoGEFn1yVeT8Uoo5FsaUpltwYTJihYRLQSmrT-wmOQ7rcXnCir9yFvVS1PXjZ7BHH/s2000/3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIs5CbGt9tKSr7MPPb-0d4j0jbf1RUN_ZqBzvrwcmVDkCsOYhG3DPMyHm7BIqbkpb10CmLo5S0wHqyef4CBy3A8BLNxwGr1V3uNSTWUo8dC7VS6yDXxztfWR3aXxoKoGEFn1yVeT8Uoo5FsaUpltwYTJihYRLQSmrT-wmOQ7rcXnCir9yFvVS1PXjZ7BHH/w400-h266/3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>An aluminum foil factory and a SUV lies partially buried at IBM market in Rangpo<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Tv8Q6pHEmAPAGqOCKk_k_DDO1RPHWeUmGavkeuT6WxtqrXJQ305BhFLtonnuKnE-uZoz1hENQRn7tG2ty4erVAbAR6inqvrRwX-aq4nTX7qP8g52tVicqAqUiaAjxd35X6MSLzWPhmuF80st6Fv2SSo-jYC3QjsU8sB_1E7GSdGBUPjpLjFlyl5IOD8O/s2000/2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Tv8Q6pHEmAPAGqOCKk_k_DDO1RPHWeUmGavkeuT6WxtqrXJQ305BhFLtonnuKnE-uZoz1hENQRn7tG2ty4erVAbAR6inqvrRwX-aq4nTX7qP8g52tVicqAqUiaAjxd35X6MSLzWPhmuF80st6Fv2SSo-jYC3QjsU8sB_1E7GSdGBUPjpLjFlyl5IOD8O/w400-h266/2.jpg" width="400" /></a><span class="s-0"><br />A water tank on top of a double storeyed building juts out of the sea of sand at IBM while the building lies buried below. </span><span class="s-1">The
whole area was a crowded market place as can be seen on the Google
Earth image placed until it was transformed into a desert by the GLOF.<br /></span><span class="s-2">I
cannot but marvel at the terrifying force of nature - to move and
deposit almost 10-15 feet of sand everywhere the flood waters reached,</span><span class="s-3"> in just a matter of hours - this has happened at Teesta bazar, Bardang, lower Mamring and here at IBM in Rangpo</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5SEPsqaLn33Rt3_eq2W6lAIiNMx8_Cj7AJKcQvimVtxBwCUpaIlqZSS6Rt4TmMo_aBhb6luryMoY1Fbqk8VZ9pztTacrcabACVaWVWjxpFy4FLyqWYSkByrEjRuf736y2v_85u6XB-SEIXTmBoP5vw3Xvi3-z1NMe4sBWZkzVY3ATFvPFiX95lpf5J4ot/s2000/5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5SEPsqaLn33Rt3_eq2W6lAIiNMx8_Cj7AJKcQvimVtxBwCUpaIlqZSS6Rt4TmMo_aBhb6luryMoY1Fbqk8VZ9pztTacrcabACVaWVWjxpFy4FLyqWYSkByrEjRuf736y2v_85u6XB-SEIXTmBoP5vw3Xvi3-z1NMe4sBWZkzVY3ATFvPFiX95lpf5J4ot/w400-h266/5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Heavy construction material and equipment belonging to DRA construction company lie partly buried at IBM. The company (contractors of NHIDCL) had their offices and storage area here and other equipment are completely buried below the sand and cannot be seen. This area was also crowded with shanties and storage houses (godowns) made of corrugated tin sheets all of which were swept away. I spoke to a resident who also told me many, many vehicles had been taken away by the river when it invaded this premises.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5c8unI8odundsd9_IrA6jYZmSWmo9S72Jm8MDMHv2qqMirLTMyCaVAWdsftECgU5TyzkJ8H_i7UXryxpKEwRCCCKoGMBfH9YXlodbiTz-0dUcbhUDKyOCGmtp5Xe12-XCKBBlqTtudz_iUrikDykaN0Zf076Q1HP2Z416Mk2N4CQ7_8Nx3aU7vOBn4m9f/s2000/6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5c8unI8odundsd9_IrA6jYZmSWmo9S72Jm8MDMHv2qqMirLTMyCaVAWdsftECgU5TyzkJ8H_i7UXryxpKEwRCCCKoGMBfH9YXlodbiTz-0dUcbhUDKyOCGmtp5Xe12-XCKBBlqTtudz_iUrikDykaN0Zf076Q1HP2Z416Mk2N4CQ7_8Nx3aU7vOBn4m9f/w400-h266/6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>The residents of this complex had a miraculous escape. Having come to know of the floods only after the first floor was engulfed by the waters, some twenty people were compelled to stay in the top floor of this building and wait for 13 hours until personnel of the Sikkim Fire Brigade rescued them.The ground floor and parts of the first floor are buried in sand.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUaswCykJbDnAZL9UHjiLTjZXydyk3RZLhRF0MGJCcePHUDr6jUEgk8-TfDVRuE0B9XEi_bO2FJ8RUbTgetl-9S6d-Uc2ZOBGFuiba4tQkM94sZ2HEW6FnCf1xH0wgwr1eJDF76-5ZmcxnFuXUK0664XOiq_CmHqqC-B2c9mcGGRpKxKY9rR1svMO1JcxM/s2000/9.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUaswCykJbDnAZL9UHjiLTjZXydyk3RZLhRF0MGJCcePHUDr6jUEgk8-TfDVRuE0B9XEi_bO2FJ8RUbTgetl-9S6d-Uc2ZOBGFuiba4tQkM94sZ2HEW6FnCf1xH0wgwr1eJDF76-5ZmcxnFuXUK0664XOiq_CmHqqC-B2c9mcGGRpKxKY9rR1svMO1JcxM/w400-h266/9.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Residents commence their recovery process by shoveling out sand from the first floor of their home even as the ground floor lies totally submerged in sand and flowers bloom on the terrace.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCvHTRhPjkcLMjE-dflVYwT-eQwFroBmEuJ7OTaBb3aha-G_ttQUCZKy7DPwmEIHNF-Q4T7tcdyljgGfZ7FnyED3PlbwcfrLoA5KYPR4XGn2Ytp12ZCYlsglyZZzUyHgpzcGjexBz7agL12h75jDiqFZvxaJcS7Q97UrsKH5itkSqPo1L_LcpiGF_Q0E4G/s2000/10.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCvHTRhPjkcLMjE-dflVYwT-eQwFroBmEuJ7OTaBb3aha-G_ttQUCZKy7DPwmEIHNF-Q4T7tcdyljgGfZ7FnyED3PlbwcfrLoA5KYPR4XGn2Ytp12ZCYlsglyZZzUyHgpzcGjexBz7agL12h75jDiqFZvxaJcS7Q97UrsKH5itkSqPo1L_LcpiGF_Q0E4G/w400-h266/10.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>While heavier things were buried in the sand, the flood waters dumped tons of trash which floated and have to be cleaned up now.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfZTIHUWnfVXPiw2-NkbGuAt6ftTKCz9pVVFv7bu9YdvSJSYtEhvNGcFi3RxVjyHP4M37_R0Lu1lakb5zaVNiLZrsAUCfSsJ7FHMhBU0Qy2_smudpwxkdtK_irqtqFYGp9RawK-edSemPNSGMW8pI1-_KGF7LuyYuB6xbaJcJmh6zieMSgOINyABwaet9D/s2000/11.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfZTIHUWnfVXPiw2-NkbGuAt6ftTKCz9pVVFv7bu9YdvSJSYtEhvNGcFi3RxVjyHP4M37_R0Lu1lakb5zaVNiLZrsAUCfSsJ7FHMhBU0Qy2_smudpwxkdtK_irqtqFYGp9RawK-edSemPNSGMW8pI1-_KGF7LuyYuB6xbaJcJmh6zieMSgOINyABwaet9D/w400-h266/11.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>GLOF refugees crowd around a place at Rangpo where relief material was being distributed. Immediately, we saw a lot of enthusiasm from the public while volunteering to distribute different types of relief material but bigger NGOs and agencies will have to move in to sustain this effort in the long term and rehabilitate these people who have lost every thing.<br />We visited a relief camp (of the several which are there) set up in a school at Rangpo where there were around a thousand GLOF victims. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTVM-9KASL1yJop8CjRI7dYxfI6MYlGk3UoVrNEfCBlRDnFx3Wqy4QXFLICtmjB16SwiWNNxqkMY5G7faLk1XfPm0LdmR-Sk6BCOLUiUWMzQZtmBw4fv1uzc7kr43B21eMOrl5wfVQO3ejnHG6xYMaRzjEs2O3AJ1-SuFDjcPMSCcpoqDURF9xWbG8WWqZ/s2000/P1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTVM-9KASL1yJop8CjRI7dYxfI6MYlGk3UoVrNEfCBlRDnFx3Wqy4QXFLICtmjB16SwiWNNxqkMY5G7faLk1XfPm0LdmR-Sk6BCOLUiUWMzQZtmBw4fv1uzc7kr43B21eMOrl5wfVQO3ejnHG6xYMaRzjEs2O3AJ1-SuFDjcPMSCcpoqDURF9xWbG8WWqZ/w400-h266/P1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Picking up the pieces. With everything gone, people living near the new bridge try and salvage what they can. (Photo credit: Praveen)<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ6Pg8C_crNzyJqrcYrUXK0gb8IGBZ6GmPhXo0LsfGZW0ZSl_1ut9erZmuLlBlc0EA1lGDUOKpJwsRRAsF7yE3pYgcuRkgG3qxdXcfqb_XbAHvIatQAmejAfI5LbPYS1n-fGxVvnod2Tm9CeCv57wSiUQ2ZBDEAbTmogM1ysdeWs6cXrjKjO_PyCjfWhhB/s2000/14.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ6Pg8C_crNzyJqrcYrUXK0gb8IGBZ6GmPhXo0LsfGZW0ZSl_1ut9erZmuLlBlc0EA1lGDUOKpJwsRRAsF7yE3pYgcuRkgG3qxdXcfqb_XbAHvIatQAmejAfI5LbPYS1n-fGxVvnod2Tm9CeCv57wSiUQ2ZBDEAbTmogM1ysdeWs6cXrjKjO_PyCjfWhhB/w400-h266/14.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span class="s-0">A long road to recovery. People who had
walked away from their homes and the flood waters with only what they were wearing had
returned to excavate their buried homes and dig out what ever little
precious or usable things they could find.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieqQB_JIXnCsZcHiWvHsTjGxJcZ3Nxl5p7Dg2Vwr_ZJt7ssoqWmvHqNfB_OT6G0kzy1apI3CEFr2U3hWzT8iyvTmXkQn1GLC8wQcqsW7rVrxvEsU09d57OS0-sJnNNWqtgcvO6ewPiJQsFgjgzBJmmJfHhVAr4pZsw70dArkgAkTCOXIlU3_VGl8A8hnsr/s2000/P4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieqQB_JIXnCsZcHiWvHsTjGxJcZ3Nxl5p7Dg2Vwr_ZJt7ssoqWmvHqNfB_OT6G0kzy1apI3CEFr2U3hWzT8iyvTmXkQn1GLC8wQcqsW7rVrxvEsU09d57OS0-sJnNNWqtgcvO6ewPiJQsFgjgzBJmmJfHhVAr4pZsw70dArkgAkTCOXIlU3_VGl8A8hnsr/w400-h266/P4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Picking up the pieces.Women wash mud covered currency notes recovered from their lost homes at IBM in Rangpo.(Photo credit: Praveen)<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQEcSWGIYQoSDBDJsMxzPtd9M8TbAUY78GxczwiFKk3kPiuaJlmJCd0Sd0hWWpHBBmdokZNF_oSQejHmugOZ04tqXGWVImxSj86FkMmRA97eXZLk4roXUXrqJD-kemn5-rst6Uwliy6RZEoCU-Oz8K6CTHIif07cTkD_JSSLgiNnGEPSWoouvtC7KmQD2C/s2000/P2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1333" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQEcSWGIYQoSDBDJsMxzPtd9M8TbAUY78GxczwiFKk3kPiuaJlmJCd0Sd0hWWpHBBmdokZNF_oSQejHmugOZ04tqXGWVImxSj86FkMmRA97eXZLk4roXUXrqJD-kemn5-rst6Uwliy6RZEoCU-Oz8K6CTHIif07cTkD_JSSLgiNnGEPSWoouvtC7KmQD2C/s320/P2.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>A single hangar in a mud covered almirah is all that is left of the belongings of a victim at IBM colony, Rangpo (Photo credit: Praveen)<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg87fLkLPv52tDPSgZfqYXqMMZkFb79yB1GxK4l6P14_yT_6aQmdBBTBnUUXR1DZy_exOroeCHSY082dwzGZGw_epQbL3yUeC0CdSGlRiLX-LkZdpkJWZtpaHNCELk5g5zz3Zh-pcR8bLZ3na5K5PxqgYiNLpd4t0ZlQWd5a9BKpbgB5-nOZEvZ6If-fC3K/s2000/13.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg87fLkLPv52tDPSgZfqYXqMMZkFb79yB1GxK4l6P14_yT_6aQmdBBTBnUUXR1DZy_exOroeCHSY082dwzGZGw_epQbL3yUeC0CdSGlRiLX-LkZdpkJWZtpaHNCELk5g5zz3Zh-pcR8bLZ3na5K5PxqgYiNLpd4t0ZlQWd5a9BKpbgB5-nOZEvZ6If-fC3K/w400-h266/13.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></span><span class="s-0"></span>People who had lost everything especially valuable documents such as ID cards, bank papers and other important documents were foraging around in the still slushy, sand and mud for these items.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNA1ysPWNeWsZvnIJtVFesXMVRgr8W4StRAC7UXH52muJ0h5mWWlxGMIvsn2q1EAMtG_MpR6fV9YI-nzZeP3yqrPkg7t7kdz0z6u2tlkCjSSoYjd0l9v-NPApGW-QeBYYC6nTDOPoZxBdaiANqhtPTYa9zWfNmlZaDM5RvIZKjH0TproA0H-gpW6ksEfek/s2000/P3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNA1ysPWNeWsZvnIJtVFesXMVRgr8W4StRAC7UXH52muJ0h5mWWlxGMIvsn2q1EAMtG_MpR6fV9YI-nzZeP3yqrPkg7t7kdz0z6u2tlkCjSSoYjd0l9v-NPApGW-QeBYYC6nTDOPoZxBdaiANqhtPTYa9zWfNmlZaDM5RvIZKjH0TproA0H-gpW6ksEfek/w400-h266/P3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>A GLOF victim ponders. I wonder what was going thru his mind as he was rummaging thru what was left of his home (Photo credit: Praveen)<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRtzHLXBiYzMqXD2PFA2dcj7jVaGfE1ONT-pDXmiOwYK8nBlSUmXhr52vvnbVPwZ4BHEbliLB1B3NvvWN-9g5U3tHuK-ijGBg2vpwZXA6Ic_z7EuAVEX0gxfDgC-evNqEAJL0WECpNhdLqpnyXjLRnocq5sgApNkwauOkb2ZTdlAgm6kiMcWnfcCd_hJIc/s2000/16.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRtzHLXBiYzMqXD2PFA2dcj7jVaGfE1ONT-pDXmiOwYK8nBlSUmXhr52vvnbVPwZ4BHEbliLB1B3NvvWN-9g5U3tHuK-ijGBg2vpwZXA6Ic_z7EuAVEX0gxfDgC-evNqEAJL0WECpNhdLqpnyXjLRnocq5sgApNkwauOkb2ZTdlAgm6kiMcWnfcCd_hJIc/w400-h266/16.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Mud and slush marks on the building exterior and erosion on the opposite bank shows where the Teesta water level had reached during the GLOF on 04Oct2023. A wall of water almost 15 feet high smashed thru everything in its path - trees, bridges, infrastructure and roads.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0JIfjBjSIdY42s4vo7cHnZ2ECGWkZuZcJxmeT5mNy84XIWpqpGdoUjzvEq1N3ckciR9PqcR8RF2_CpA5eheFdtYII2s6WNa9hevJ1ELuMRxGng3pWq6MchE-yAGKe-byzdAM0nQiQ7nEaPhFM0gGOvhGtFoAKTzHqFnmq3sa6FZCInWkY0W-vOVNmuvwH/s2000/15.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0JIfjBjSIdY42s4vo7cHnZ2ECGWkZuZcJxmeT5mNy84XIWpqpGdoUjzvEq1N3ckciR9PqcR8RF2_CpA5eheFdtYII2s6WNa9hevJ1ELuMRxGng3pWq6MchE-yAGKe-byzdAM0nQiQ7nEaPhFM0gGOvhGtFoAKTzHqFnmq3sa6FZCInWkY0W-vOVNmuvwH/w400-h266/15.jpg" width="400" /></a><span class="s-0"><br />The Indian army lost a number of soldiers on the night of the GLOF. </span><span class="s-1">Here excavators work to dig out their remains, equipment and material from a site near Bardang. </span><span class="s-2">Notice that even these large vehicles are almost totally inside a mound of sand which must be around 10 to 15 feet high.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheFnKLbM0ttAhDOocUN19qnOyM-PTT9oA6ulRHTvSpQqK0bkJAK0g3VaJG5g8Hgd2umuykFbUN7ze0ZpxmFqjWk8AQmOT5zV59Nrm9kvn27rW0slGa4Cu5Cj4Z9EJH11YORIQZ5EZpl2ZtZqMCg2-FsJEVyW4PsQU0SLNmCRgo7VUuMf3aLpZpBzSY4hrI/s2000/17.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheFnKLbM0ttAhDOocUN19qnOyM-PTT9oA6ulRHTvSpQqK0bkJAK0g3VaJG5g8Hgd2umuykFbUN7ze0ZpxmFqjWk8AQmOT5zV59Nrm9kvn27rW0slGa4Cu5Cj4Z9EJH11YORIQZ5EZpl2ZtZqMCg2-FsJEVyW4PsQU0SLNmCRgo7VUuMf3aLpZpBzSY4hrI/w400-h266/17.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Mr RN Pradhan and friends of Lower Mamring village.<br />This is another badly affected area in Rangpo. Though they managed to evacuate people from here on 04Oct2023 morning, they lost all their livestock to the flood waters as well as 8 to 9 tin shed homes here. There were a lot of trees next to the river bank which all got swept away.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYdFNJkaOsG9WBEJ73RDTkKr5bSBxCr7khwG327c5JSkWYp5OMyf4efxebbSaNIr73fCdhUH3BzMngNgvAZIMxOiVPKLrB_vR9AZa9QobkWdIwXNF79YKVRLy_aJtIkE2KPhuQ-rNcprfJmKyNMRoZbpo_SRAmg624QJuQD6kXztlmuygTrO52m3Wwkz_S/s2000/P5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYdFNJkaOsG9WBEJ73RDTkKr5bSBxCr7khwG327c5JSkWYp5OMyf4efxebbSaNIr73fCdhUH3BzMngNgvAZIMxOiVPKLrB_vR9AZa9QobkWdIwXNF79YKVRLy_aJtIkE2KPhuQ-rNcprfJmKyNMRoZbpo_SRAmg624QJuQD6kXztlmuygTrO52m3Wwkz_S/w400-h266/P5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Pots and pans at what used to be a home of a villager - Lower Mamring at Rangpo (Photo credit: Praveen)<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX00YoKzRqm8nL14O1ytaoiN8zPoTkgJNdpEeLUe9tig6bhMpqO0D9Acepc-jcrmxW7hydnBFXtMf8-r9SjhQDG8JyH6pHfz_5_anXHrX0XqoyWnyD_RZM7ck6dU2WugGPq8e8sv6s1pqfwCEiieqm6IiUZ2oyFlr8KLlJeQ4Vz6d-TVJIbqBjsJI_nMdA/s2000/22.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX00YoKzRqm8nL14O1ytaoiN8zPoTkgJNdpEeLUe9tig6bhMpqO0D9Acepc-jcrmxW7hydnBFXtMf8-r9SjhQDG8JyH6pHfz_5_anXHrX0XqoyWnyD_RZM7ck6dU2WugGPq8e8sv6s1pqfwCEiieqm6IiUZ2oyFlr8KLlJeQ4Vz6d-TVJIbqBjsJI_nMdA/w400-h266/22.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Bedroom of a home at Lower Mamring on 06Oct2023. The whole area was covered with slushy sand/mud and walking was still difficult despite 48 hours of dry weather.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgALvdBfhO0NRHduqdfiLfJ9FbEdgCy94W6ePVQL-QjLgGiCHSMG-RQl1dZCc_wttxUDSOPYm_4XkaZwt2BPlSIaQU2_QGHUFLfHL8ykX3uM1P0JhYSQOcjOwZ_8jiIQgnKw36XrC2NV3dLvu10FDxH1N66ggl8lGEPvrQ1offRGCgjodbX8HHcuw0xgAdg/s2000/23.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgALvdBfhO0NRHduqdfiLfJ9FbEdgCy94W6ePVQL-QjLgGiCHSMG-RQl1dZCc_wttxUDSOPYm_4XkaZwt2BPlSIaQU2_QGHUFLfHL8ykX3uM1P0JhYSQOcjOwZ_8jiIQgnKw36XrC2NV3dLvu10FDxH1N66ggl8lGEPvrQ1offRGCgjodbX8HHcuw0xgAdg/w400-h266/23.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Locals at Mamring told us that the river had changed its course and was flowing much closer to their village now and also what was all too evident, that the due to siltation the Teesta was flowing at a higher level than earlier.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilr1BWRIH2HNxXH6vLzgxQFmnR0w6HzWaXROl0UwUf3QYt8XStgo6yl0j4IBejB_-mRD5z-yigTJiBx6bRDwu6twzpYqf47iJT562U6KIRYbZo51lUMeS4Y5Jpe__YoJI9kS8v6mBmsG61MWbVcSOYI1BeSqNt9Zb0L65xkosgp2mJ5DtuTbEjt-F8aTmm/s2000/21.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilr1BWRIH2HNxXH6vLzgxQFmnR0w6HzWaXROl0UwUf3QYt8XStgo6yl0j4IBejB_-mRD5z-yigTJiBx6bRDwu6twzpYqf47iJT562U6KIRYbZo51lUMeS4Y5Jpe__YoJI9kS8v6mBmsG61MWbVcSOYI1BeSqNt9Zb0L65xkosgp2mJ5DtuTbEjt-F8aTmm/w400-h266/21.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Slush and sand at Lower Mamring village.Locals informed us that there was a high tension power pylon or tower at this spot which also got swept away by the GLOF. Incidentally, the entire Rangpo town did not have any power from early morning on 04Oct2023 till 08Oct2023, perhaps due to pylons getting damaged or washed away or the damage to the hydro-electric power stations at Chunthang and Dikchu dams.<br /> <br /></span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="s-0">GLOFs will continue to occur more frequently
and with the Himalayan rivers becoming pockmarked with more dams of all
shapes and sizes, this is an all important event for us.<br /><b>Some things worked</b>:<br /> <b>*</b> The rudimentary alarm system of alerting people with loud hailers and sirens worked even at 2 -3 am and when it was raining heavily. Most people from the low lying areas were successfully evacuated in time - even tho the death toll may continue to rise as we unearth more bodies from under 10-15 feet of sand.<br />This evacuation also worked in North Sikkim where reaction time was much less.<br /><b> * </b>Reaction from civil society and the government has been swift in delivering relief to victims but since almost all the affected people have lost everything including ID papers etc, rehabilitation needs to be sustained and long term. Maybe this will be a challenge, especially after the initial enthusiasm wears off and people get busy with the Dasain (puja) festivities<br /><b>Somethings did not work:</b><br /> * Early warning for GLOF event was not there and if it was there it did not work. <br /> * Information about North Sikkim continues to be sketchy. There was no news whatsoever about survivors or casualties from the Sikim Urja dam after parts of it collapsed.<br /> * SANDRP has a lengthy article <a href="https://sandrp.in/2023/10/04/glacial-lake-flood-destroys-teesta-3-dam-in-sikkim-brings-wide-spread-destruction/" target="_blank">here<br /></a><b> An observation & a question mark?<br /></b>Observation<br /> * The speed at which the GLOF advanced on 04Oct2023 morning was astonishing and its sheer size doesn't give anyone a second chance.<br /> * The only remedy maybe a reliable early warning system and an alert community. Regular drills in low lying population centers must be incorporated.<b><br /></b> Question mark<b><br /></b> *The GLOF and the dam burst resulted in the Teesta river carrying unimaginable volumes of water at high velocities with tons of debris such as tree trunks, boulders, motor vehicles, infrastructure pieces (such as the 14 bridges which collapsed).<br />Much of debris continuously and repeatedly impacted and collided with the downstream dams and bridges on the Teesta river. Will these structures be checked for safety?<b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="s-0"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="s-0">My thanks firstly to my young friend Raghunath at Rangpo who spent the whole day with us, taking us to relief camps and other affected areas.<br />Thanks to the many victims for talking to us despite having endured such a catastrophic loss.<br />Thanks to Praveen bhai too with whom STH has done really good work in the past. We will continue to work together to throw more light on disaster issues - so that people become more aware.<br /><br />Praful Rao<br />Kalimpong district<br />Darjeeling- Sikkim Himalaya<br />savethehills@gmail.com<br />9475033744<br /></span><br /> <br /><br /></div><div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"> </p></div>SaveTheHillshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02683050982473682760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3323953779460457291.post-87164709085261746122023-10-05T22:54:00.007+05:302023-10-06T05:50:15.452+05:30Was there a cloud burst in Sikkim on 03Oct2023?<div><p>The media is howling about a cloud burst that occurred in North Sikkim around the 03Oct2023 and which triggered the GLOF (Glacial Lake Outburst Flood) at South Lhonak lake, which led to the terrifying devastation in Sikkim and Kalimpong district on 04Oct 2023. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQQywggbAMvQEHVFCVlu-oTJf167R-uIdFgfD9A9cO-7JmjjyC-SYJx-MAj3-vhE7UBNqq4xLZCMzk5CmmgYEwB0o-soZAbs_k_YOEHWpZ31e6VZOSnuGpqoCyXe9BW_o7WIdvyB_TCYpJ0vgjhAy11YTlyuHatLrgXzn5c67cI4YKVDRvnfhyphenhyphennGfGz48q/s1368/CBurst.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="989" data-original-width="1368" height="289" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQQywggbAMvQEHVFCVlu-oTJf167R-uIdFgfD9A9cO-7JmjjyC-SYJx-MAj3-vhE7UBNqq4xLZCMzk5CmmgYEwB0o-soZAbs_k_YOEHWpZ31e6VZOSnuGpqoCyXe9BW_o7WIdvyB_TCYpJ0vgjhAy11YTlyuHatLrgXzn5c67cI4YKVDRvnfhyphenhyphennGfGz48q/w400-h289/CBurst.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />To get to the truth of the matter let us first see what is a cloud burst:<br /><b>As per IMD<br /></b>'If 100mm rainfall is received at a station in one hour, the rain event is termed as cloud burst.'<br /><br />Placed below is a map and the rainfall data of North Sikkim (and Gangtok) and of Darjeeling and Kalimpong for the period 01Oct to 04Oct2023.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUBeP3jOCV4qf5pZZDut6Dh3UJ1HobuiarfeU1UFRVG7iNU72gokLQawuJ7MjoDihp0e6ZHfxcjBAMY7-aI5uQsdDxlaup1rTMfMkLNIxQX_Q-R-5HKI9HyszYuh3uXbCA0GnQKOUbWEDVg8zWC5T5K4-X6JPHbOHjQbVpS_eXNpX_p7ZteHAesp5k2Rbk/s1200/map.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1105" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUBeP3jOCV4qf5pZZDut6Dh3UJ1HobuiarfeU1UFRVG7iNU72gokLQawuJ7MjoDihp0e6ZHfxcjBAMY7-aI5uQsdDxlaup1rTMfMkLNIxQX_Q-R-5HKI9HyszYuh3uXbCA0GnQKOUbWEDVg8zWC5T5K4-X6JPHbOHjQbVpS_eXNpX_p7ZteHAesp5k2Rbk/w369-h400/map.jpg" width="369" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJGf0-7U4CZ2j_VX3uQ-iio-Upci1DqOqLonCoUTszL34iEdiSChTrL03ZiTASwj-abHuxLt9GVGj_FF1g2oIhw2eRUbO6VncUu24Kn7sXrGxP6kjUpyxLF4gl8sssdepJgvx0o_RqJRRdr_K6mItQWuQNf-UjnZcTzdPZh6lPUZT79QxhvmF4rCh-s4MK/s929/rain.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="341" data-original-width="929" height="146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJGf0-7U4CZ2j_VX3uQ-iio-Upci1DqOqLonCoUTszL34iEdiSChTrL03ZiTASwj-abHuxLt9GVGj_FF1g2oIhw2eRUbO6VncUu24Kn7sXrGxP6kjUpyxLF4gl8sssdepJgvx0o_RqJRRdr_K6mItQWuQNf-UjnZcTzdPZh6lPUZT79QxhvmF4rCh-s4MK/w400-h146/rain.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>What is apparent is that Darjeeling and Kalimpong received far more rain than North Sikkim during this period and to support this are placed the Infra Red cloud images of 03Oct2023. Sikkim<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKbPWKaEJYPaAtd9csaEzECYpaMx8lOywYwWMU3WiEw2HNYXd7uDX3eDww_sfp0ruHpg6Plv4txYwTIaFxImHSarAiDghMHzJO_jReh7QXfS5dPz_0rf1KKfjYfwQLng-zi2POvnuisqgVDajihnsTfa3i713icIwpQ6ofoubqLKq7U64shIHU7VlecV_t/s1837/clouda.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="1837" height="174" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKbPWKaEJYPaAtd9csaEzECYpaMx8lOywYwWMU3WiEw2HNYXd7uDX3eDww_sfp0ruHpg6Plv4txYwTIaFxImHSarAiDghMHzJO_jReh7QXfS5dPz_0rf1KKfjYfwQLng-zi2POvnuisqgVDajihnsTfa3i713icIwpQ6ofoubqLKq7U64shIHU7VlecV_t/w640-h174/clouda.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>It is highly unlikely that the type of clouding seen in the vicinity of Lhonak glacier would trigger a cloud burst since such high intensity rain is normally associated with convective clouding and cumulonimbus (CB) clouds which generate a distinct white signature in IR satellite images.<br /><b>What are cumulonimbus (CB) clouds and how do they appear on IR satellite images?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNXQjzQpFsZNQ3BK0jyAYqVPuWYIoyY_Ffc5PN-wVltGxLG7MnBU7tiexBIFhj5QUXPAi_OPKiNnNZpvcZQOxwGRQEnE4yM29giIxnqC0gDEet-lKYYw-z-ZHswB4Nrd2rHLeYk9LK4S-aG5qnOSRYASgifUp2SN0UQV-0T6HefDlHPCpdJrWBxvmXwHyr/s2088/CB1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2088" data-original-width="1785" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNXQjzQpFsZNQ3BK0jyAYqVPuWYIoyY_Ffc5PN-wVltGxLG7MnBU7tiexBIFhj5QUXPAi_OPKiNnNZpvcZQOxwGRQEnE4yM29giIxnqC0gDEet-lKYYw-z-ZHswB4Nrd2rHLeYk9LK4S-aG5qnOSRYASgifUp2SN0UQV-0T6HefDlHPCpdJrWBxvmXwHyr/w343-h400/CB1.jpg" width="343" /></a></div></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRibzl1e6Ec7lDjr-S8zFzEnqZVjikyMhPe6F_Ql9FLkfXdEn9L0mwaUNCWSRfcFb78AHAk4VV8BHuRzc628eyfvemVCGpGO2T34RlvUrKqd6yykBLlPwsJW4SuiD1Ij9l2mxsp_arsZ8Xkh8dPa0v5WB5dC6ZE7vI7ia9SpIW7iertYmdLpyV0FumPVad/s1315/Cb.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="840" data-original-width="1315" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRibzl1e6Ec7lDjr-S8zFzEnqZVjikyMhPe6F_Ql9FLkfXdEn9L0mwaUNCWSRfcFb78AHAk4VV8BHuRzc628eyfvemVCGpGO2T34RlvUrKqd6yykBLlPwsJW4SuiD1Ij9l2mxsp_arsZ8Xkh8dPa0v5WB5dC6ZE7vI7ia9SpIW7iertYmdLpyV0FumPVad/w400-h255/Cb.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;">How CB clouds appear on satellite imagery</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><p><span class="s-0">There is no doubt that a
GLOF did occur at South Lhonak glacier on 03/04Oct2023 between midnight
and around 1am on 04Oct2023 - satellite imagery and reports from people
at Lachen confirm this.<br /></span><span class="s-1">However,
the widely held belief that a cloudburst triggered the GLOF is probably
incorrect and maybe ascribed to media loosely calling any 'heavy rain'
event a 'cloud burst' just as many issues these days </span><span class="s-2">are conveniently labelled under the banner 'climate change' without any verification.<br /><br /></span><span class="s-3">So if a cloudburst did not trigger the GLOF, just what did? </span><span class="s-4"><br /><br />That is a question which has still not been answered.</span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><br />Praful Rao<br />Kalimpong district<br />Darjeeling-Sikkim Himalaya<br />savethehills@gmail.com<br />9475033744<br /></div><br /><div><br /><p></p><br /></div>SaveTheHillshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02683050982473682760noreply@blogger.com0