Why in news
The Teesta Valley faced a Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) in October 2023, which caused significant loss of life, destruction in Sikkim and West Bengal.
With the 2025 monsoon approaching, community organizations are urging immediate action from the government to implement measures to prevent further damage from future floods.
Teesta River
Teesta river is a tributary of the Brahmaputra (known as Jamuna in Bangladesh), flowing through India and Bangladesh.
It originates in the Himalayas near Chunthang, Sikkim and flows to the south through West Bengal before entering Bangladesh.
Originally, the river continued southward to empty directly into the Padma River (main channel of Ganga in Bangladesh) but around 1787 the river changed its course to flow eastward to join the Jamuna river.
The Teesta Barrage dam helps to provide irrigation for the plains between the upper Padma and the Jamuna.
Teesta river water conflict is one of the most contentious issues between India and Bangladesh.
Urgent Need for Action to Address GLOF Consequences
The 2023 GLOF caused over 100 deaths, displacement of families, and massive ecological damage.
There is an urgent need for both structural and non-structural measures to mitigate future GLOF impacts.
Many displaced families still live in relief camps with ongoing economic struggles and mental distress.
Key infrastructure like roads and bridges remains unstable, affecting both local communities and tourism.
Way Forward
Establish a joint committee between Sikkim and West Bengal to address the disaster at a landscape level, ensuring coordinated efforts.
Form a task force of geo-hydrologists, engineers, and environmental scientists to develop a comprehensive action plan.
Implement measures like river re-channelization and reinforcing infrastructure (roads, bridges, evacuation centres).
Install early warning systems and improve communication networks (e.g., ham radios, mobile alerts).
Designate high-risk areas for evacuation and resettlement, and provide compensation to displaced communities.
Launch aggressive afforestation programs to prevent soil erosion and help restore the valley’s ecosystem.
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