Will the Sikkim flood impact hydel projects?

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Last Updated24/10/2023

The recent floods in the Teesta River in Sikkim and West Bengal were triggered by a Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF)
It was caused by the sudden release of water from a glacier-fed lake formed on, within, or beneath a glacier.

satellite images indicate that a large chunk of ice may have fallen from a glacier into the lake
It is creating waves that breached the moraine dam and resulted in GLOF, causing flash floods downstream.

The risk from GLOFs in Sikkim has not been entirely eliminated.
Satellite images of South Lhonak lake suggest the lake has not substantially drained or dewatered.
The presence of water under the ice remains a concern, indicating a continuing risk.

The collapse of the hydel power dam at Chungthang exacerbated the destruction caused by the floods.
The Chungthang dam was part of the 1,200 MW Teesta Stage III hydro power project.
While it was approved as a concrete gravity dam, it was constructed as a rock-filled dam, making it vulnerable to major floods.
As a result of the floods, all operational hydel power projects on the Teesta River in Sikkim have practically ceased functioning
- including the Teesta-V Power Station (510 MW) and the Dikchu Hydroelectric Project (96 MW).
- This has halted the generation of approximately 1,806 MW of electricity. The total financial damage is yet to be quantified.

Scientists are urging a reconsideration of proposed hydel power projects.
While the Union Minister for Power and Renewable Energy maintains that these floods will not slow India's reliance on hydropower, there is growing concern about the safety of such projects.
There are 87 operational hydroelectricity projects (HEP) across the Himalayan belt with an installed capacity of 22,982 MW.
Sikkim alone has a hydro power potential of 4,248 MW, with 53.7% already developed and 24.4% under construction.
Activists are calling for the cancellation of the proposed Teesta IV project and a review of the upcoming Teesta VI project.
The Sikkim government has initiated an inquiry into potential criminal irregularities in the construction of the Teesta III dam project.

Glaciologist highlights recent floods in the Himalayas, including Kedarnath in 2013, Rishi Ganga in 2022, and the Sikkim floods in 2023.
These incidents, triggered by various climatic factors, raise concerns about infrastructure development in the Himalayas.
considering climate assessment reports and designating mountain regulation zones to limit construction in vulnerable areas was suggested.