Concern over hydel projects in Sikkim after Teesta Urja dam washed away

Gyatso Lepcha, general secretary of Affected Citizens of Teesta (ACT), said the tall claim that the dam of Teesta Urja hydro-power project would be an engineering feat and would be amongst the strongest in the world has turned out to be a big joke jeopardising human lives and properties.

Teesta Urja, the second biggest run-of-the-river hydro power project in India, suffered massive damage due to flood caused by the breach in Lhonak lake in north-west Sikkim (Twitter Photo)

The washing away of the dam of the Teesta-III project and damage to the Teesta-V dam in Sikkim because of Lhonak Lake in north-west Sikkim has again brought focus on the series of hydel projects that ‘have been built, are being built and are proposed’ on one of the most dammed rivers in the country.

Sikkim’s biggest hydro power project Sikkim Urja (formerly Teesta Urja) on Wednesday suffered massive damage due to the flash flood on Tuesday night as the dam and the bridge connecting the powerhouse were washed away.

According to authorities, the dam was washed away in 10 minutes after the flash floods hit North Sikkim.

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