Community-Led Call to Action: 290 Signatures urging Immediate Disaster Mitigation in the Teesta Valley submitted by Darjeeling Himalaya Initiative and SaveTheHills

 

The following memorandum signed by 290 persons from Kalimpong, Darjeeling, and Sikkim has been submitted by Darjeeling Himalaya Initative and SaveTheHills to the Chairs of the NDMA, SDMA W Bengal and SDMA Sikkim:
_______________________________________

The Teesta Valley GLOF Disaster of October 2023: Impacts and Urgent Mitigation Needs Ahead of the 2025 Monsoons.

The Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) and the subsequent hydro-power dam breach in the Teesta Valley in October 2023 brought widespread devastation, leading to tragic loss of life, severe damage to livelihoods  and assets as well unaccounted ecological devastation across Sikkim and West Bengal.

The disaster caused significant destruction to the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation’s (NHPC) infrastructure, agricultural land, forests, riverine ecosystems, transportation routes, and even critical military installations (Much of the devastation caused by the GLOF is documented in SaveTheHills’ blog http://savethehills.blogspot.com) Yet, despite the scale of the disaster, the response from state and central authorities have been inadequate, especially long term rehabilitation and restoration interventions at the relief, infrastructure and ecological level.
To further elucidate, we cite the case of fifty six families in the Teesta Valley (Kalimpong district)  who were displaced by the floods in Oct2023 and still continue to reside in relief centres. For these people who depended on the river for their survival, displacement has worsened their economic stability, and every day existence becomes a struggle for survival. Prolonged uncertainty worsens their mental distress, highlighting the urgent need for targeted interventions to restore their houses and livelihoods.
NH10, the lifeline of Kalimpong and Sikkim remained perilously unstable for much of the monsoons season and diversion of traffic from Sikkim via alternate routes added avoidable burden on transport services, infrastructure as well as the communities along the route.These vulnerabilities were exposed again almost throughout 2024 monsoon season and has severely reduced the tourist traffic to the region impacting  the economy of the Sikkim and Darjeeling Himalaya.

With only six months remaining before the 2025 monsoon, there is an urgent need to implement both structural and non-structural mitigation measures throughout the Teesta Valley. Effective action now can significantly reduce the impact of future floods, as such the implementation of these measures both in Sikkim and West Bengal in the valley is a vital necessity.
Central assistance will be imperative simply because the scale and complexity of the problem cannot be tackled at the state level.
The important issues at hand are listed below:

The Case for a Joint Sikkim-West Bengal Committee on Teesta Valley Flood Management

The October 2023 GLOF was one of the most severe glacial floods in the history of the Himalaya, affecting both Sikkim and West Bengal and needs to be responded to at a landscape level that is inclusive of both states. Each monsoon season, the Teesta River poses serious threats to both states, making collaborative management of the river and its surrounding regions essential.
A joint committee from both the states could address common issues and implement coordinated disaster management strategies that benefit both states.

Formation of an Expert Task Force

A dedicated task force of experts, drawn from geo-hydrology, environmental science, engineering, and sociology, should be formed to tackle the many challenges brought about by the GLOF. This task force must develop a comprehensive action plan that includes technical, financial, and social solutions for restoring and fortifying the region.

Structural Mitigation Measures

Construction of Embankments, Protection Walls, and Barriers

Embankments and barriers are urgently needed in low-lying, high-risk areas to prevent river overflow into settlements. Populated areas in the valley which are particularly vulnerable to flooding such as  those below the Teesta bridge along the Darjeeling-Kalimpong road, must be identified and remedial engineering solutions applied.

Channeling the River Flow

The natural flow of the Teesta River was disrupted by debris buildup from the GLOF, leading to riverbank overflow. The river must be re-channelized to prevent further damage to urban areas and infrastructure. Experts in fluvial geo-morphology and hydrological engineering can assist in deepening, widening, and redirecting the river to safer channels. NHPC’s technical expertise can be instrumental in this effort.

Road Engineering and Restoration

NH10, the key highway linking Siliguri and Gangtok, suffered extensive damage during the GLOF, resulting in economic losses and supply chain disruptions. Immediate restoration of this critical artery must be prioritized, along with repairs to alternative routes that have also deteriorated due to increased traffic and monsoonal impacts.

Bridge Repair and Reconstruction

The destruction of bridges in Sikkim and West Bengal has cut off many communities, hindering both economic activity and disaster relief efforts. Repair and reinforcement of these vital structures must be completed before the next monsoon season.

Reinforcement of Evacuation Centers and Relief Camps

Many evacuation centers and relief camps need urgent repairs and enhancements, such as backup solar power, to ensure they remain operational in the event of future emergencies.

Non-Structural Mitigation Measures

Early Warning Systems (EWS) and Communication Networks

Installing automated flood early warning systems (FLEWS) that deliver real-time alerts through sirens and mobile networks is crucial. Backup communication methods, such as ham radios and walkie-talkies operated by trained personnel, should also be implemented to ensure effective communication during emergencies.

Land-Use Planning and Zoning

Certain low-lying areas will remain high-risk zones even with structural protections in place. These areas should be designated for potential evacuation and resettlement of at-risk communities. Adequate compensation as decided by the expert group should be provided to affected victims and necessary support given to those relocating.

Public Awareness and Community-Based Disaster Risk Management (CBDRM)

Community preparedness is essential to build capacities and resilience during disasters. Awareness campaigns should educate residents on flood preparedness, evacuation procedures, and available insurance schemes. Additionally, evacuation drills must be regularly conducted to ensure communities can respond swiftly during emergencies.

Post-Disaster Financial Recovery Support

To aid in economic recovery, education on flood insurance and financial aid should be provided to residents and businesses, ensuring they have the tools to rebuild after a disaster.

Aggressive Afforestation Program

The GLOF caused widespread destruction of forests along the Teesta Valley. An aggressive reforestation initiative is needed to restore the valley’s ecosystem, prevent soil erosion, and help regulate the river's flow.

Conclusion

By implementing these crucial structural and non-structural mitigation measures, the Teesta Valley can be better prepared to withstand future monsoonal floods, protecting both lives and livelihoods. Urgent and coordinated action in the coming months is essential to prevent another disaster on the scale of the 2023 GLOF. The time to act is now, before the monsoons of 2025 arrive.

________________________________

We will submit the Memo to other officials as well.

Our thanks to all those who volunteered in making this community initiative possible

Praful Rao
Darjeeling Himalaya Initiative & SaveTheHills
9475033744

Roshan Rai
Darjeeling Himalaya Initiative
9932024812

Commemorating the 'Teesta Valley GLOF of 04Oct2023' with photos of the event and its aftermath.

A woman washes the money she recovered while scavenging for lost property in a flood affected area of Rangpo (Sikkim) on 06Oct2023 - photo credit Praveen

As I write, it is very early morning on 04Oct2024 and it was exactly at this time last year that I was up at my home in Kalimpong, trying to contact and verify with people, mainly in Sikkim, about whether a GLOF had actually taken place in the Teesta valley.
In the meantime my cellphone was receiving images and videos of the floods as the wall of water tore down the valley. Just verifying what was happening in order to report and record it accurately  kept me engaged the entire day and next, while my young friend and photographer Praveen Chhetri visited Teesta Bazar which the GLOF hit around 4am. He recorded the impact of the GLOF as it happened.
I did not know then that this process of recording the GLOF and its impact would keep us busy for an entire year but it has - and has required numerous visits to many parts of the Teesta valley including one trip made in Nov2023 to Chungthang where the 1200mw Sikkim Urja hydroelectric dam was destroyed by the GLOF.
What we have in this blog is perhaps the most comprehensive photographic record of what was the largest GLOF which took place in the Himalayas. Praveen and I certainly have hundreds of images, many videos and voice recordings of the interviews of affected people that we did during the course of the year.

    Interviewing an affected person who had lost everything to the GLOF - Rangpo (Sikkim), 06Oct2023.

This post, where I publish some photos is only to commemorate that momentous event which changed the lives of so many
Lest we forget...

Army personnel recovering buried vehicles at Bardang (Sikkim) on 06Oct2023. 22 army persons who were a part of a convoy were swept away by the GLOF here

Landslide affected areas of Naga, a village between Mangan(district headquarters, North Sikkim) and Chungthang in Nov2023 (telephoto image from opposite hill). The village was almost entirely evacuated during the monsoons of 2024.

A man crosses the Teesta river on a bamboo bridge at Toong, North Sikkim in Nov2023. The bridge connecting Chunthang to Mangan was torn down by the GLOF

GLOF affected areas between Chungthang and Lachen town where there was no impact of the Sikkim Urja dam burst. The scale of the devastation caused by the GLOF alone is apparent in the photo - photo courtesy Dathup, Lachen.

GLOF eroded parts of NH10 between Teesta bazar and Melli in Oct 2023. With the Teesta river running 4-5m above the pre-GLOF levels, the erosion of NH10 increased remarkably in 2024.

Debris and vegetation which the GLOF had dumped on top of the NHPC Stage V 510MW dam at Dikchu, SIkkim. The Teesta river 'over toppled ' ie went over the dam at this site.

Tree stumps and debris inside the NHPC Stage VI dam at Sirwani, Singtam (Sikkim), Nov2023

Vehicles strewn around like battered toys, on the banks of the Teesta at Singtam (Sikkim).

Part of Teesta town (Krishnagram or Bhasuwa) literally sliding slowly into the river - Sep2024

A marooned COVID hospital on the banks of the Teesta and Rangeet rivers at Tribeni, (Darjeeling district) - Sep2024. There is no road access to the hospital with the Teesta river having kept large parts of the access road submerged after the GLOF.

Rangpo town in Sept24. One year after the GLOF, parts of the town are still trying to recover. The river still flows uncomfortably close to the town and the police checkpost (green roofed structure on the top left is literally tilting into the river.

Undoubtedly one of the most iconic images of a GLOF.

Drone image taken by Praveen at around 11.00am on 04Oct2023 from the Teesta bridge when the GLOF was passing thru the area. As can be seen much of the Teesta bazar was already submerged.

Documentation of parts of the above report was supported by Royal Enfield, as part of their Social Mission Initiative


With
Praveen Chhetri (9733185815)

Praful Rao
SaveTheHills
9475033744
savethehills@gmail.com

AFTER THE FLOOD - By Pemzang Tenzin (Mangan, North Sikkim)

 

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 to Tibet.  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.

 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.   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.  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.  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.  It is estimated that half this volume spilled out during the October GLOF event.

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.  The Eastern Nepal, Sikkim and Bhutan regions are considered a hotspot for GLOF activities.  In Sikkim, the total area covered by ice caps is larger than the size of some of the districts.  The Swiss Consortium, in partnership with National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) is studying some of these lakes.  They have compiled a list of twenty five lakes in Sikkim that have been red-flagged by different agencies as being potentially dangerous.  Twenty four of these are located in North Sikkim, almost equally distributed along the Lachen and Lachung axes and one in West Sikkim.  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.

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.  Without ground access, the Swiss experts had already completed the desktop studies based on satellite imagery.  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.

 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.  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  a matter of hours.  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.  In India, Central Water Commission (CWC) monitors flows, including GLOF, in all the significant rivers through a network of instrumentation.  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.  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.  At these locations, the floods first arrived at around midnight but took a couple of hours to build up to maximum flows. 

 The actual levels recorded at Khanitar were more than twice as high as predicted in  the CWC simulation for South Lhonak GLOF published in their advisory in 2016.  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.  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.  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.

 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.  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.  While repairing and rebuilding the damaged or collapsed dams, GLOF has to be factored in.   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.  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.  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.

 Chungthang is built on a triangular river terrace at the confluence of the Lachen and Lachung rivers.  River terraces are ephemeral geographical features which seem doubly vulnerable to both GLOF and the shaking of earthquakes.  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.  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.  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.  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.

 Whether it is landslides, GLOF or any other natural disaster, the best mitigation measure is avoidance of the vulnerable area.  Past experience shows that once the disaster is temporarily abated, people double down and start rebuilding in the vulnerable areas.  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.  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. 

 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.

Pemzang Tenzing
21Jan2024
Mangan
pemzang@hotmail.com

Photographic record of the impact of 04Oct2023 GLOF between Sangkalang and Toong ( North Sikkim) -18Nov2023.

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 RED below which is 40kms long and takes double the time (ie 2hrs).
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).
This blog only records the GLOF disaster at Naga, Ritchu and Toong villages in the Teesta valley, in Mangan, North Sikkim and on NH310A.

The alternate route to Chungthang
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.

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.
This is definitely not a road suitable for heavy vehicles and traffic, being steep, narrow at places and even dangerous.

The army does not allow their vehicles to ply on this route.
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.

Destruction in Ritchu and Naga village (27.548536N 88.643017E), Mangan district.

Drone images by Praveen of affected areas around Naga village (Mangan district), North Sikkim are given below:

Telephoto images of the same area are below

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.
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.

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.

GLOF impact at Toong village (27 33 3.3 N 88 38 38.8 E), 1351m.
We decided to cover the damage at Toong village while on our way upto to Chungthang since it was still  early in the morning.
The road to Toong, itself is badly damaged with a major landslide and several large cracks on the road.
We arrived at Toong after crossing the large Theeng tunnel on NH310A.

Toong lies in the Teesta valley on NH310A or the highway connecting Mangan to Chungthang.
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.
Sikkim Police had a check post here which was abandoned and lay hanging near the river's edge.

Sikkim Police check post, destroyed by the GLOF on 04Oct2023 lies deserted at Toong.

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.
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.
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.

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.

My thanks to all those we spoke to and all those who helped.

Praful Rao
Kalimpong district
Darjeeling -Sikkim Himalaya
savethehills@gmail.com
9475033744
with
Praveen Chhetri
Junkeri Studio
Kalimpong
junkeristudio@gmail.com
9733185815

Photographic record of the impact of GLOF on parts of Teesta valley between Teesta Bazar and NHPC's Teesta Low Dam Project (TLDP)III - 22Oct2023

TEESTA BAZAR

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:

An enlarged map of impacted areas and corresponding photos of Teesta bazar are given.

The road to Tribeni (27° 4' 4.986" N, 88° 25' 38.13", 229m) - Photo1.

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.

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.

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'.
This entire area in Teesta bazar seems to be sinking. (27° 3' 41.49" N, 88° 25' 28.818" E, 236.6m) - Photo 4.

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 ( 27° 3' 23.484" N, 88° 25' 29.922" E, 218.8m) - Photos 5/6.

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.

OTHER AREAS

NH 10: Teesta - Likhu Bhir - Baluakhani (29th Mile) section
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.
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.

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.

Coordinates 👆: 27° 2' 11.058" N, 88° 25' 38.58" E, 240.4m

Traffic on NH 10 near Likhu Bhir on the day the highway was opened.

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)

Unimaginable amount of sand and debris which the GLOF has dumped every where.

Geil Khola (Coordinates 27° 1' 45.168" N, 88° 25' 40.53" E, 215.1m)

Geil khola from the opposite hill

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.

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.

Adding misery to the miserable - villagers homes buried by the GLOF at Geil Khola.

 

NHPC Teesta Low Dam Project (TLDP) III (Coordinates 27° 0' 10.554" N 88° 26' 29.316" E 205.3m)

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.

Bangay bustee (Coordinates 26° 59' 59.028" N 88° 26' 35.34" E 194.3m)

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.

Mounds of sand being excavated from homes at Bangay village on 22Oct2023.

 

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.
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.

Yes, we were lucky - this time.
I hope these images will bear testimony to what was one of the most dangerous and large disaster events of recent times.
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.

Praful Rao
Kalimpong district
Darjeeling- Sikkim Himalaya
savethehills@gmail.com
9475033744