Nepal Floods Trigger Vigilance in Sikkim: Sensors Installed in 16 High-Risk Glacial Lakes
Following the recent glacial flood disaster in Nepal, Sikkim has intensified monitoring of 16 high-risk glacial lakes with sensors, weather stations and early warning systems.
Dharshini
Nepal Floods Trigger Vigilance in Sikkim: Sensors Installed in 16 High-Risk Glacial Lakes
Following the recent glacial flood disaster in Nepal, the Sikkim government has intensified precautionary measures to monitor vulnerable glacial lakes across the state.
Sikkim has more than 400 glacial lakes of different sizes. Among them, 16 lakes have been identified as high-risk, including 13 in North Sikkim and three in West Sikkim.
Sensors have been installed in most of these high-risk lakes to monitor water levels and changes in water volume. Automatic weather stations and early warning systems have also been established, particularly in North Sikkim, to help detect potential risks at an early stage.
Sikkim State Relief Commissioner Rinsing Chewang said authorities are continuously monitoring changes such as rising water levels in the identified lakes.
The precautionary measures have been strengthened based on the experience of the South Lhonak Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) disaster in Sikkim in 2023, as well as the recent glacial flood disaster in Nepal.
Importantly, the identification of these 16 lakes as high-risk does not mean that all 16 lakes are currently in danger. They have been classified as vulnerable locations and are being closely monitored as part of Sikkim’s disaster preparedness and early warning efforts.
