GLOF’s Sikkim shocker: Much before the flooding, local & green groups had flagged risks

Source: The post is based on the article “GLOF’s Sikkim shocker: Much before the flooding, local & green groups had flagged risks.” published in “The Times of India” on 13th October 2023.

Syllabus: GS3- disaster management

News: The article discusses the devastating impacts of climate change in the Himalayas, emphasizing recent tragic events and failures in infrastructure planning and management. The author highlights the urgent need to enhance environmental assessments and establish management agencies to safeguard against future climate-related disasters in the region.

What catastrophes struck the Himalayas recently?

Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) in Sikkim: In 2023, a devastating GLOF occurred when the South Lhonak Lake’s embankment broke. This lake had grown threefold in 30 years because of glacier melting. The flood caused widespread destruction.

Earthquake and Rainfall: An earthquake of 6.2 magnitude hit western Nepal on October 3, which could have weakened the lake’s embankment. Sikkim experienced heavy rainfall from October 2-5, with intense rainfall near South Lhonak Lake on the night of October 3, potentially contributing to the GLOF.

Teesta III Dam Failure: The Teesta III dam, Sikkim’s largest hydel project costing ₹14,000 crore, was severely damaged by the GLOF. It wasn’t designed to handle such a flood, leading to significant downstream destruction and losses.

Events in Joshimath, Uttarakhand, and Himachal Pradesh: Apart from Sikkim, these areas faced massive losses due to unprecedented rainfall and landslides during the monsoon season.

How did the Teesta III Dam fail?

Unprepared for GLOF: Teesta III Dam was not designed to handle the high flow resulting from a Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF).

Quick Flooding: On October 3-4, the dam, was flooded and largely washed away just 12 minutes after operators were alerted of the GLOF by Indo-Tibetan Border Police.

Lack of Early Warning System: There was no functional early warning system for GLOF at South Lhonak Lake, which could have provided a crucial alert to manage the impending crisis.

Impact of Previous Disaster: The dam was also impacted by an earthquake in 2011, which destroyed a part of the construction and claimed 40 worker lives.

What are the solutions for future safety?

Re-Evaluate Procedures: The author suggests revising the Environmental Impact Assessment and Environment Clearance processes to better address the risks and challenges posed by the climate crisis, particularly in the vulnerable Himalayan region.

Trans-Himalayan Agency: They propose the formation of a Trans-Himalayan Environmental Assessment and Management Agency, staffed with experts from Himalayan states and Union Territories.

Incorporate All Risks: It is crucial to consider all potential risks, including those from climate change, in project designs from the outset to ensure that infrastructure is robust and resilient.

Independent Decision-Making: The author emphasizes establishing institutions capable of making independent, expert-backed decisions based on comprehensive risk assessments to adequately prepare for and manage future environmental and infrastructural challenges in the region.