Sikkim Launches Final Expedition To Mitigate Glacial Flood Risks

GANGTOK: In a move to tackle the dangers of glacial lakes at high elevations, the Sikkim government launched its fourth and last expedition from November 27 to December 5, 2024. The project at elevations above 17,000 feet aims to create effective flood control plans in the face of extreme sub-freezing weather.

The primary among these are two important initiatives of mitigation: building of a retention structure at Dolma Sampa and bringing down water levels at Shako Chho. Enhancement of glacial flood modelling, subsurface geology in understanding, and efficient formation of mitigation strategies for Glacial Lake Outburst Floods ( GLOFs) both depend on these.

The official announcement reports that the team will carry out a number of comprehensive investigations, including debris deposition assessments, topographical mapping, subsurface geophysical analysis, lake discharge evaluations, and flood level monitoring.

Modern monitoring stations that are operational and provide daily updates, along with notifications for sudden changes in water levels, are equipped with real-time systems for weather and water level data.

The expedition team consists of experts from the departments of science and technology and mines and geology with support from the Indian Army's 27 Mountain Division and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police.

The team is committed to enhancing safety measures and disaster preparedness tactics for communities in Sikkim that are at risk from GLOFs, even when weather conditions are bad and terrain is tough.

ALSO READ: Mizoram: Two Women Dead After Autorickshaw Falls Off Bridge In Lunglei District

ALSO WATCH: