OUR FOCUS AREA
GLOF risk mitigation in Sikkim
INNOVATIONS IN SCIENCE, POLICY AND PRACTICE
Introduction: Wake up call for the Nation
South Lhonak Glacial Flood 2023 catastrophe:
Government’s Vision : Expectation
- Safeguarding Sikkim from future glacial flood events
- Early Warning Systems (EWS) can save lives but what about infra?
- Need to protect mountain infrastructure such as roads, dams, bridges, habitations from future GLOFs
- Urgency to develop mitigation proposals for GLOF risk reduction
- Make Sikkim a leader in GLOF risk mitigation
Baseline Status : Status before the initiative
- Research Focus: DST undertaking glacial hazard assessment studies, SSDMA focusing on preparedness
- Mitigation Lacking: Capabilities lacking for developing mitigation proposals
- No Benchmarks Available: Protocol for scientific studies for hazard and risk assessment, mitigation lacking even at national level
- Community Trust Missing: Local communities fearful that glacial studies would defile sacred lakes thereby trigger GLOFs
Integrating science :
Integrating science :Interdisciplinary and action oriented
- Standardising Scientific Protocol: Protocol for hazard assessment established to assess lake volume, mass movement hazard and moraine stability by integrating 5 interdisciplinary studies namely morphometric, bathymetric, geophysical, hydrological and susceptibility.
- Capabilities Developed in Risk Assessment: Capabilities developed in hydrodynamic modelling using HEC-RAS software for modelling flood flow path.
- Reimagining GLOF Propagation: Studies indicate feasibility of taming the GLOF in the upper reaches using watershed level retention structure.
- Mitigation Proposals Developed: Integration of science and technology to develop structural mitigation proposals.
Shaping policy:
- Whole of Government Approach (WGA): Six departments, 2 authorities, 2 central agencies, academia, defense, district administration & local community joined hands as one team. Institutional arrangement of Multi-Disciplinary Task Force (MTF) and High Level Steering Committee (HLSC) notified in Sept 2024.
- Clarity in Business Rules: Roles and responsibilities of DST and designation as nodal department for GLOF risk mitigation notified in Feb 2025.
- Bridging Missing Link of Technocrats: Posting of an adept engineering team in DST ensured that mitigation DPRs could be developed.
- Commission on Glacial Hazards: Constituted with eminent experts for guidance in Sept 2024. Draft report prepared and consultations underway.
Standardising practice:
Practice:
- Sikkim 4-Step Approach: Protocol developed for the first time in the country to address GLOF risks involving 4 steps:
I. Preliminary assessment,
II. Comprehensive assessment,
III. Mitigation planning and
IV. Executing mitigation - Samarth Sikkim: State scientists, engineers, and managers have been given leadership roles to encourage self-reliance and sustainable hazard mitigation.
Outputs achieved:
- Preliminary hazard assessment of glacial lakes.
- Comprehensive hazard assessment of high risk lakes.
- GLOF risk mitigation proposals developed: I. Shako Chho solar pumping proposal
II. Lhonak watershed-level retention structure
Emerging Outcomes:
- Capabilities developed for GLOF risk mitigation I. Administrative systems established: Institutional arrangements, Business rules, Roles and responsibilities clearly defined
- One of the biggest contribution to national security.
- Growing recognition of Sikkim as national leader.
II. Technical capab̧ilities developed: Building capacity amongst 6 departments. Sikkim geographers, geologists, ecologists, glaciologists, engineers now have expertise and experience. All studies and DPRs developed in-house without hiring consultants.
III. Financial assistance accessed: From NGRMP CSS under NDMA/SSDMA
Innovations:
WGA
SAMARTH
CaINCLUSIVE
GLOCAL
ENABLING SPP
PATH BREAKING
List of Supporting Organisation/ Agencies:
| Name of organisation | Website |
|---|---|
| National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) | NDMA- INDIA |
| Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority (SSDMA) | SSDMA- SIKKIM |
| Land Revenue and Disaster Management Department, Govt. of Sikkim | LR&DD- SIKKIM |
| Mines and Geology Department, Govt. of Sikkim | Mines and Geology- SIKKIM |
| Forest and Environment Department, Govt. of Sikkim | Forest & Environment Department- SIKKIM |
| Water Resources and River Development Department, Govt. of Sikkim | Water Resource & River Development Department- SIKKIM |
| Information & Public Relations Department, Govt. of Sikkim | IPR- SIKKIM |
| Sikkim University | Sikkim University - SIKKIM |
| Indian Army, ITBP | - |
Photographs
