GANGTOK/SHIMLA:  NGOs and flood-hit people of Sikkim  are an angry lot not only over a lack of warning system but also over a slow relief operation and paltry help from the Centre. The October 4 Lhonak Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) and the resultant Teesta dam breach has killed over 78 people, marooned and hit over 70,000 people in Sikkim so far. The Sikkim GLOF has exposed the authorities  and Hills cry for answers. 

Many questions that remain unanswered are what triggered this outburst?

Why Teesta Dam Authority, Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority did not sound an alert?

Why above all, the Central Water Commission and National Dam safety authority which are responsible for safety of dams in India did not notice the possible Glacial Lake Outburst of Lhonak Lake?

Where were the satellite imagery of  the Lhonak Lake from the IMD, State and National disaster management authorities and the  state science, technology and environment councils, which study and monitor such possible GLOF in the Himalayan region.

Why do the NGOs who are now making noises, as they usually do after the postmortem of the disasters, work with the local community downstream of Teesta river educating them about the possible fallout of the Dam outburst and likely safeguards they could have taken in advance?   

Why there was no river or dam monitoring Cell of Teesta river functioning to sound locals in case the dam outburst?

The Teesta disaster that resulted from the GLOF of Lhonak lake has exposed everybody.

Himalayan states including Sikkim, Uttarakhand, Himachal and Ladakh have learnt no lessons from the Parechu GLOF in 1990s in Indo-China region in Kinnaur that had killed over dozens of people and washed way a dozen brides in Kinnaur and Rampur and marooned the tribal belt for a month.

They have not learnt  as the Kedarnath  GLOF tragedy struck its blow just 13 years down the line. The Lhonak Glob struck its blow 10 years on October 4 2023 after the Kedarnath GLOF.

In Sikkim over 80 people have been killed and over 100 are still missing and over 270 houses were washed away and Teesta dam III suffered over Rs 15000 Crore loss while  over 75000 people living downstream were hard hit or displaced in the October 4 GLOF outburst and floods caused by rains and Lhonak lake outburst.     

Sikkim NGO Leader Karma Paljor has lashed out at the slow response of the state and Central government to the Sikkim disaster, but he did not utter a word about those responsible for preparing local communities for dealing with disaster.  

Paljor pleaded for help in the wake of  the Sikkim disaster. While his appeal highlighted the critical situation on the ground and the heroic efforts of certain individuals.

Paljor  commended Dr. Pema Lachumpa, a medical officer who had demonstrated exceptional bravery during the 2011 earthquake in Sikkim and the recent flood and dam disaster.

He noted Dr. Lachumpa's selflessness and commitment to helping those in need, even against his family's wishes.

He questioned the response of the central and state governments, especially in light of the catastrophic scale of the disaster.

Karma pointed out the lack of support and delayed rescue efforts, expressing disappointment with the authorities and political leaders for not acting swiftly.

Paljor also criticized the allocation of a mere 45 crore rupees in advance from the state disaster response fund, considering the extensive damage and loss incurred.

He emphasized that the release of funds was insufficient to address the crisis and rebuild the region.

He called for Sikkim politicians to display more assertiveness and transparency in dealing with the situation.

Paljor urged them to put people's interests before political considerations and to demand the necessary resources to aid disaster-affected areas from the Centre.

Sikkim Floods Need Answers from the relevant authorities and it should not be dismissed just because Sikkim is a small state.  NGOs also need to do some soul-searching.