Sikkim: 32-Member Expert Team Leaves to Study 6 High-Risk Glacial Lakes

A 32-member team of experts from seven Sikkim government departments, Sikkim University, 3 central government departments and the local panchayat have left on a 15-day mission to study the status of six high-risk glacial lakes in North Sikkim.

The mission that includes experts from National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) and the Geological Survey of India, was flagged off by Sikkim Social Welfare Minister Samdup Lepcha today.

The team of experts will conduct a detailed susceptibility assessment of glacial lakes – Tenchungkha, Khangchung Chho, Lachen-Khangtse, Lachung-Khangtse, La Tsho and Shako Chho.
This mission is not covering the three high-risk lakes, namely Guru-dongmar A, B, and C, as these lakes are considered to be sacred with sentimental value for the locals.
The study mission comes in the backdrop of the massive destruction and devastation caused by the glacial lake outburst in the South Lhonak lake in North Sikkim last year.

NDMA is bearing 90 per cent of the cost of the mission, which is Rs one crore and the remaining 10 per cent is being borne by Sikkim government

The team of experts includes members from the Science and Technology Department, Land Revenue and Disaster Management Department, Mines and Geology Department, Water Resources Department, Forest and Environment Department, Information and Public Relations Department along with two central government agencies – Geological Survey of India, Central Water Commission, two officials of the National Disaster Management Authority and the Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority, Sikkim University and members of the Lachen Dzumsa (local panchayat).

The NDMA has earlier this month sent two teams to study the risk of glacial lake outburst floods in six glacial lakes in Arunachal Pradesh. The teams will cover three lakes each in Tawang and Dibang Valley. The six lakes are among the 27 identified as “high-risk” by the NDMA across five districts in the state.

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