Sikkim landslide damages NHPC power project building

Sub: Geo

Sec: Indian physical geography

Landslide Impact on NHPC Teesta-V Project:

On August 20, 2024, a landslide occurred at the site of NHPC’s Teesta-V hydropower station in Gangtok district, Sikkim.
The landslide damaged six houses and the GIS building of the 510 MW Teesta Stage V project.
The affected area is near Singtam town.
The Singtam-Dikchu Road was initially cut off but an alternative route has been cleared.

Teesta-V Project:

The Teesta V Power Station is one of 24 power stations owned and operated by the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC Ltd.).
It is located in the state of Sikkim, India, on the Teesta River, which originates from the Cho Lamo glacier above 7,068 metres and flows southward through steep slopes and extremely rugged terrain into the foothills of the Sikkim Himalaya and West Bengal.
The Teesta-V project was previously damaged by a glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) in October 2023, which also caused significant casualties and damage.

About Teesta River:

It is a tributary of the Jamuna River (Brahmaputra River), flowing through India and Bangladesh.
Origin:
- It originates as Chhombo Chhu from a glacial lake Khangchung Chho at an elevation of 5,280 m in the northeastern corner of the state.
  - Teesta Khangse glacier and Chho Lhamo are also considered as the source of Teesta River by many authors.
- The total length of river is 309 km (192 mi). It drains an area of 12540 km2.
Course:
- It flows to the south, cutting a deep gorge through the Siwalik Hills east of Darjiling (West Bengal) and turns southeast to run through the Sivok Khola pass onto the plains of West Bengal.
- The river continued southward to empty directly into the upper Padma River (Ganga River).
- About 1787, however, the river changed its course to flow eastward, crossing the Rangpur region of Bangladesh to join the Jamuna River near Chilmari after a total course of about 200 miles (320 km).
The major tributaries of Teesta river:
- Left-bank Tributaries: Lachung Chhu, Chakung Chhu, Dik Chhu, Rani Khola, Rangpo Chhu.
- Right-bank Tributaries: Zemu Chhu, Rangyong Chhu, Rangit River.