Photographic record of the impact of 04Oct2023 GLOF at Fidang and Sangkalang (Dzongu region of North Sikkim) -17Nov2023.

Our visit to survey disaster affected areas in North Sikkim on 17Nov2023, involved driving thru Dikchu then Fidang and Sankalang.
We have already reported on the impact of the GLOF and dam burst at Dikchu here. The impact of the disaster at Fidang and Sankalang is documented below:

FIDANG  (27 24 36.7 N 88 30 58.8 E) in Lower Dzongu.
Fidang  is a short distance from Dikchu and 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.

The Mandarine Retreat, Fidang (Lower Dzongu) in better times

The Mandarine Retreat on 17Nov2023

Sangkalang  (27 30 34.4 N 88 31 34.8 E) Elev 768.8m
Sangkalang village lies in the Teesta valley, 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.

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.
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.
The green bamboo bridge was made and used by locals for ferrying materials and people across a swollen river.

A BRO (Border Roads Organization) worker crosses the Teesta on a makeshift bamboo bridge at Sangkalang.

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)

As such the BRO is frantically reconstructing a new bridge at the same spot where the old bridge was swept away on 04Oct2023. It is a race against time.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.
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.
In addition, many locals lost orange orchards which were destroyed by the GLOF.

The Power Station for 1200MW Sikkim-Urja Stage III dam which burst at Chungthang on 04Oct2023 is located close to Sangkalang.

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.

We stayed over night at Dzongu and started for Chungthang at 4.30am next morning. We will cover that in our next blogpost.

My thanks for all who helped.

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