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CRISIS IMPACT OVERVIEW
On 3 October, a major Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) occurred from South Lhonak, in Sikkim state in northeastern India, flowing down the Teesta River towards the Teesta III hydroelectric dam in Chungthang (Sikkim). The dam was inundated and collapsed, resulting in the increase in water levels in Teesta River by up to 15-20ft, which resulted in death and destruction downstream (Mint 09/10/2023; EOS 09/10/2023; BBC 05/10/2023).
According to Sikkim’s State Disaster Management Authority (SSDMA), as at 7 October, the floods had affected more than 25,000 people. There is uncertainty around the exact number of people killed, but several sources report that at least 41 people have died in 27 villages across the four districts of Mangan, Gangtok, Pakyong and Namchi. Additionally, floods have partially or fully damaged 2,516 houses, washed away 13 bridges, and rendered several roads impassable, although the Roads and Bridges department is currently working to restore passage of traffic (Sikkim 07/10/2023; Al Jazeera 06/10/2023; AP 06/10/2023; BBC 05/10/2023). The floods have also rendered several hydropower projects along the river disfunctional (The Hindu 08/10/2023). This is likely to constrain access to electricity and affect people’s livelihoods.
Additionnally, floodwaters from reiver Teesta have extended into the neighbouring state of West Bengal, inundating Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Cooch Behar and Jalpaiguri disricts in the northern parts of the state (Al Jazeera 06/10/2023). Damage of the army ammunition depot at Munshithang has also raised concerns of contamination by weapons, ammunition and unexploded ordnances (NET 10/10/2023).
In 2021, Sikkim’s economy relied on three primary sectors: manufacturing (52%); service sectors (32%); and agriculture (10%) (CAG 2021).