The record
Written from the 1 report below. Nothing here is unsourced.
- The Sikkim government has identified 40 high-risk glacial lakes in the state, of which 16 are in the highest-risk Category A, with Shako Cho named the most dangerous.
- These lakes can cause Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs), sudden floods that can damage homes, roads and bridges downstream — a risk the state saw in October 2023, when a GLOF killed at least 60 people and destroyed the Chungthang dam.
- The lakes are being monitored through satellite imagery and remote sensing, and separate mitigation plans are being made for the Lhonak, Shako Cho and Gurudongmar complexes.
- The government is also exploring ways to lower water levels, plans a flood-retention structure near Dolma Sampa in the Lhonak complex, and has proposed new early warning sensors and a dedicated GLOF framework.
What to watch next
- Action by the National Disaster Management Authority and Jal Shakti Ministry on the Shako Cho reports
- Progress of the proposed flood-retention structure at Dolma Sampa being developed with the Central Water Commission
- Installation of the proposed early warning sensors and finalisation of the state's GLOF framework
Coverage1
1 report
Indian-language1
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Named India · Ministry of Jal Shakti · National Disaster Management Authority · Central Water Commission · Gurudongmar Complex · Lhonak Complex · Science and Technology Department of Sikkim · Shako Cho · Sikkim State Government
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