SIKKIM FLOODS AFFECTING HYDEL PROJECTS

Recently, a sudden surge in the Teesta River caused catastrophic floods in Sikkim, resulting in loss of life, destruction of infrastructure, and widespread displacement. 

2. The Trigger of the Sikkim Floods

The floods in the Teesta River, affecting both Sikkim and West Bengal, were primarily triggered by Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs), a phenomenon involving the sudden release of water from glacial lakes fed by glacier melt. Satellite imagery suggests that a significant ice chunk may have fallen into a lake, leading to the toppling of a moraine dam and subsequent flash floods downstream in the Teesta.

3. Risks Associated with Glacial Lakes

• South Lhonak Lake has been closely monitored for GLOFs, recent satellite images indicate that the risk persists.
• Although it was initially believed that the lake had partially drained, the presence of water beneath the ice suggests that the risk is not fully mitigated.
• The catastrophic floods resulted in the collapse of the 1,200 MW Teesta Stage III hydropower project at Chungthang village in north Sikkim. 
• The Sikkim government, environmentalists, and scientists raised concerns about the project's approval process and the discrepancy between the proposed concrete gravity dam and the actual rock-filled dam.
• This incident, along with the effects of the floods, has halted the operation of all hydel power projects on the Teesta River in Sikkim.
• The National Hydel Power Corporation (NHPC) reported losses of ₹233.56 crore, and electricity generation from hydel power projects in Sikkim ceased.
• Additionally, the Dikchu Hydroelectric Project (96 MW) was impacted by the entry of flood debris.

4. The Extent of Damage and Future Considerations

• The Sikkim government has not yet quantified the monetary extent of the damage, but it is expected to be substantial.
• The floods have raised concerns among activists and scientists, prompting calls for a reconsideration of proposed hydel power projects.
• Union Minister for Power and Renewable Energy R. K Singh, however, emphasized that the floods will not deter India's reliance on hydropower.
• India has a significant number of operational and proposed hydroelectricity projects (HEPs) across the Himalayan belt.
• In Sikkim alone, several projects are under development. In response to the recent tragedy, calls for a review of proposed projects and inquiries into the construction of existing projects have gained momentum.
• The government's decision to direct the State's Vigilance Police to conduct a comprehensive inquiry into any criminal irregularities in the construction of the Teesta III dam project and transfer the case to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) signals an effort to address accountability in the aftermath of the floods.
• Gyatso Lepcha, general secretary of the Affected Citizens of Teesta (ACT), an organisation campaigning against HEPs on the Teesta said in the aftermath of the tragedy, the government should scrap the proposed Teesta IV project and review the upcoming Teesta VI project.
• The Sikkim government directed the State’s Vigilance Police to conduct a comprehensive inquiry into any criminal irregularities in the construction of the Teesta III dam project, submit a report and transfer the case to the CBI.