Authorities in Sikkim have begun evacuating residents from the banks of Shako Cho lake near Lachen in Mangan district, as the lake is on the brink of bursting. The Shako Cho glacial lake is located above the village of Thangu, with a length of 1.3 kilometers and the village only 12 kilometers away.
The authorities have cleared the entire Golitar area in Singtam in Gangtok district, Dikchu in Mangan district, and Rangpo IBM area in Pakyong district. Gangtok district magistrate Tushare Nikhare stated that satellite data showed an abnormal increase in glacial temperature over Sako Chu. If the temperature stabilizes, it will not be a problem, but an evacuation advisory has been issued as a precautionary measure. Mr. Nikhare mentioned that since silt has been deposited, any sudden discharge of water could cause damage due to its elevated level over the debris.
The central government has declared that it will conduct a detailed assessment of the damage to hydropower projects in Sikkim once the floodwater recedes. The state-owned hydropower giant NHPC is working to restore the hydropower projects to operational status as soon as possible. Power Secretary Pankaj Agrawal held an emergency meeting with NHPC, along with senior officers from the Ministry of Power and the Central Electricity Authority.
Due to flash floods in the Teesta basin, all bridges downstream to the Teesta-V hydropower station up to Tarkhola and Pamphok have been submerged or washed away, disrupting travel and communication in these areas. The floodwater also overtopped the dam of the Teesta V power station (510 MW) and caused severe damage to connecting roads and parts of the residential colony.
This article will be updated as more information becomes available.