The Sikkim High Court has asked the State and Central governments to install early warning systems.
The order covers 40 high-risk glacial lakes in the State.
The Court is worried about glacial lake outburst floods, or GLOFs.
A GLOF happens when a glacial lake suddenly bursts and releases a large amount of water.
Key points
- The Court wants early warning systems for 40 high-risk glacial lakes in Sikkim.
- The call follows the October 2023 flood at South Lhonak Lake in North Sikkim.
- The State has been asked to respond on steps taken and on a plan for five nodal officers.
- The Court also raised concern about climate change and black cardamom farming.
What happened in North Sikkim in October 2023?
A GLOF at South Lhonak Lake triggered massive flooding along the Teesta River.
The floods damaged the Chungthang dam and washed away bridges.
They also damaged parts of National Highway 10. The disaster spread across four districts and killed several people.
What is the Court asking the governments to do?
The Court said Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Bhutan have already installed such systems.
It urged both governments to act immediately to buy and install them.
In its November 5 order, the Court asked the State for its response on steps taken for the 40 lakes.
It also asked the State to consider a proposal for five nodal officers.
A nodal officer is an official given charge of one task.
The proposal came from amicus curiae Advocate Sudhir Mishra, a lawyer who helps the Court.
Under the plan, one senior officer in the State Disaster Management Authority would lead.
Four officers would assist, and each would oversee ten lakes.
Graphic: News Anek, from the facts in this report
How is climate change linked to cardamom farming?
The Court also raised concern about black cardamom, an important income source for rural households in Sikkim.
A report pointed to declining health of plantations in the State.
The report linked this to warmer winters and unpredictable rainfall. These changes make plants more open to disease.
The Court asked for the State's response on the "Mero Alaichi, Mero Dhan" initiative, which aims to revive cardamom cultivation.
It has not yet passed directions on this issue.
Explainer
What happened before
- In October 2023, a glacial lake outburst flood at South Lhonak Lake in North Sikkim caused massive flooding along the Teesta River.
- Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Bhutan have already installed early warning systems for such floods.
Why it matters
Sikkim has 40 high-risk glacial lakes, and a similar flood could damage homes, roads and dams again.
What to watch next
- The Court has asked the State government to respond on steps taken for these lakes and on a proposal for five nodal officers.
