Media coverage of our Memo on the Teesta valley disaster problem

On 18Nov2024, we had couriered the hard copies of our memo requesting urgent mitigation action in the Teesta valley in the few dry months we have before the monsoons again wreak havoc in 2025.

 'The Hindu' is an old and prominent national newspaper and I am very glad that they carried the Teesta Valley GLOF disaster story almost in its entirety:

(Link: https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/teesta-valley-disaster-glof-2023-sikkim-west-bengal-act/article68885161.ece)
Subsequently, we emailed the memo to Mr Rajendra Singh, Head of Dept NDMA and Mr D Nariala (IAS), PS of Disaster Management Department, Govt of W Bengal.

Affected citizens of Teesta Bazar blocking the road in protest against Govt inaction at Teesta on 22Nov2024.

Praful Rao
SaveTheHills
9475033744
savethehills@gmail.com

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

Views of the Teesta river after Cyclone Aila (May2009) and after the GLOF (Oct2023)

During our talks with GLOF affected people in the Teesta valley, they say that many officials, politicians and others often ask them why they built their homes so close to the river; to which they answer, 'No, we never built our homes close to the river - it is the river which has now come close to us!'

When I relate this during my talks on the Teesta valley GLOF, it often draws laughter from the audience - not realizing that I wholly share the views of the affected people:

The Teesta river which was once quite far from settlements has now moved closer to homes, roads and urban areas.

I visited the Teesta river on 11Jun2009, soon after Cyclone AILA (25-27May2009) and took photos of the river from the Teesta bridge. There were no dams those days but the river was still quite big because of the SW monsoons and Cyclone AILA.

After the Oct2023 Teesta Valley GLOF, again we made numerous trips to the Teesta river and photographed the river from almost the same spot on the bridge 14years later. I have placed both below for you to see how the river has moved closer to people's homes

Facing south (towards Siliguri)

Teesta, shortly after Cyclone AILA in Jun2009. Notice the level of the river visavis the Kalimpong to Darjeeling road on the right. The river was free flowing those days since the major dams on the Teesta were yet to be built.

Teesta river after the Oct2023 GLOF. Rainfall in our area totally stopped after 04Oct2023 (when the GLOF occurred) but the silt deposits had increased the river level as such it was flowing almost at the same level as the Kalimpong to Darjeeling road (on the right)

Facing north (towards Gangtok)

Cyclone AILA (27May2009) heralded in the SW monsoons that year as such the river is still quite large. Nevertheless the Teesta Bazar (left side) was not touched by the river even during Cyclone AILA

Our entire region had drought like conditions since the GLOF in Oct2023, yet the river stretches from one bank to the other and is flowing very close to homes in the Teesta bazar (left). The river is brown and loaded with silt and debris which is being dumped into the river by people excavating their homes and belongings all along the valley and also by the tunneling being done by the railway project. All in all the level of  the river bed has increased by 3-4m after the GLOF.

A makeshift road has come up on the right bank and leads to the new IRCON railway bridge being constructed next to the existing one.

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

BBC covers what the Indian National Media missed: The 04Oct2023 GLOF disaster in the Teesta valley

The BBC has today covered the 04Oct2023 GLOF disaster in the Teesta valley here and although the report by Cherylann Mollan, 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 think the GLOF incident was too insignificant, affecting too few to be bothered about.
Of the many errors in the report, I can point out a few glaring ones:

• 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. This has been made worse by W Bengal government not even considering the event, a disaster.
• In all probability, what triggered the GLOF was a large landslide or an avalanche and NOT a cloud burst as mentioned by the BBC. Read here
• The GLOF which started from South Lhonak Lake (elevation approx 17,300') late in the night of 03Oct2023, wrecked many areas around Lachen but the first major town (not nearby village) it devastated was Chungthang (elevation 5,500') approximately 62km downstream and where the Sikkim Urja Stage III 1200MW dam was located. The dam was destroyed by the GLOF which hit Chungthang at 12.35am on 04Oct2023.
  
  What remains of the 1200MW SIkkim Urja StageIII dam at Chungthang (Photo date: 18Nov2023)
  

We were in North Sikkim between 17-19Nov2023 and our reports on the devastation in Chungthang town and its vicinity may be read here

Drone photo of devastation in Chungthang town (Photo date:18Nov2023)

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:

"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 of tolerating climate-induced excessive rainfall"

which is why we emailed our report and recommendations on the 'Teesta valley GLOF disaster'  to the NDMA and SDMA's of Sikkim and W Bengal on 10Nov2023. The recommendations are essentially short term, aimed at tackling the Monsoons of 2024 which are just 3 months away.

We are yet to receive any reply to our report.

My thanks to BBC for this report on the 04Oct2023 Teesta Valley GLOF disaster.

Praful Rao
Kalimpong district
Darjeeling-Sikkim Himalaya
savethehills@gmail.com
0475033744

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