On the first anniversary of the glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) that devastated the region, contrasting scenes emerged in Sikkim and Bengal.

Sikkim commemorated the day as a State Disaster Risk Reduction Day, while residents of Bengal held protests demanding adequate compensation for flood damages.

On the night of October 3-4, 2023, the glacial outburst from South Lonark Lake in Sikkim led to catastrophic flooding. The disaster obliterated the Sikkim Urja Teesta-III hydropower project, India’s second-largest dam, which was built at a cost of ₹13,965 crore.

The flood destroyed 33 bridges, damaged around 3,600 homes and 920 shops and impacted approximately 88,000 people in Sikkim.

Flood-affected people demonstrate in front of TLDP-IV on Friday.

In the Kalimpong district of Bengal, the GLOF caused significant damage, with 483 houses fully destroyed and 76 partially affected.

“It was an honour to chair the State Disaster Risk Reduction Day at Chintan Bhavan,” said Sikkim chief minister Prem Singh Tamang (Golay).

“This day holds profound significance for our state, marking a year since we faced a devastating catastrophe that led to tragic loss of life and widespread destruction.”

Over 100 people had lost their lives in the incident.

Experts and officials held discussions centering on strengthening community involvement, enhancing early warning systems and investing in resilient infrastructure during the meeting in Gangtok.

“There are 16 high-risk lakes that have been identified in Sikkim. Recently an expedition was conducted to study some of the lakes,” said Golay. The report by the expedition team is likely to be tabled this month.

Golay has also presented a post-disaster-need-assessment report to Prime Minister Narendra Modi estimating that the state would require ₹3,673.25 crore for recovery and reconstruction.

In fact, the Centre had also released ₹44.8 crore to Sikkim immediately after the floods from the central share of the State Disaster Response Fund. (SDRF).

On the other hand, victims in Bengal have not yet received any major help either from the Bengal government or the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA). The Bengal government had promised a sum of ₹25 crore to GTA but sources maintain that the fund did not reach them.

The Kalimpong district administration only distributed ₹75,000 to fully damaged houses and ₹5,000 to partially damaged houses. Victims, however, said that the compensation amount is meagre.

On Friday, the flood-affected victims brought out a rally in Teesta and demonstrated in front of the NHPC offices. The NHPC has two dams along
the stretch.

“One year later we are yet to receive any concrete help,” said a protester.

A source said that the GTA has approached the NHPC seeking compensation of ₹12.5 crore for flood damages. The NHPC is yet to pay. “We are also not satisfied with the survey,” said a protester.

Green awards

The Sikkim state circuit house received the 5-leaf certification under Swachhata Green Leaf Rating (SGLR) system for its contribution to clean and sustainable practices.

The certification was handed over by Sikkim governor Om Prakash Mathur and chief minister Golay to the circuit house.

The SGLR was launched on December 11, 2023, in Jammu and Kashmir by the ministry of Jal Shakti and Union ministry of tourism aimed at sensitising and encouraging the hospitality sector to follow practices of safely managed sanitation.