Sikkim's Teesta III river dam disaster: When neglect flows downstream

Larger questions have also emerged on the ecological sensitivity of the glacial regions around Sikkim, their susceptibility to extreme weather events, rapid infra creation and lack of climate adaptati

In merely 10 seconds, the 60-metre-high dam of the Rs 13,000 crore Teesta III hydropower project was completely washed away by floods originating from the South Lhonak Lake. The project, which took two decades to complete, changing hands from private companies to state government and now a public-private joint venture (JV), stares at an uncertain future with questions raised about its viability.

Larger questions have also emerged regarding the ecological sensitivity of the glacial regions around Sikkim, their susceptibility to extreme weather events, rapid infrastructure creation, and the lack of climate adaptation efforts.

The Teesta River has also washed away