Science & Technology Dept briefs Governor on recent study of Sikkim’s high risk glacial lakes

GANGTOK,: Governor Om Prakash Mathur on Friday conveyed a meeting with the officials of the Science and Technology department here at Raj Bhavan.

The meeting was attended by principal secretary Dr. Sandeep Tambe, principal director-cum-secretary Dhiren Shrestha, and other senior officials of the department, a Raj Bhavan release informs.

During the meeting, detailed discussions were held on Sikkim glacial lake outburst flood disaster 2023, recent expedition of experts, where they visited numerous

glacial lakes under Mangan district, present conditions of glacial lakes, which are known to be of high risk. This expedition was carried after the Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) that had occurred in the State in October 2023.

Dr. Sandeep Tambe apprised the Governor about the expert team constituted by the State government to assess the high risk glacial lakes for field validation so that exact potential for outbursts could be assessed for initiation of mitigation measures and to avoid catastrophic damage to life, property and infrastructure downstream.

He informed the Governor that team of experts comprises from the Central Water Commission, Central Water & Power Research Station, Pune, National Institute of Hydrology, Roorkee, Geological Survey of India, the Defence Geoinformatics Research Establishment that functions under DRDO, the National Institute of Disaster Management. The team also includes representatives of Sikkim University, six Sikkim Government departments, the Indian Army and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police and local people.

Experts had just returned from a comprehensive field study of the high-altitude areas, where they identified several glacier lakes that may pose potential threats in the near future. The team further informed that continuous monitoring of these lakes are being carried out, scientific analyses are underway, and necessary preparations are being made to address any possible disaster.

The principal secretary mentioned that the State government is taking proactive steps to mitigate the risks associated with Glacial Lake Outburst Floods. Efforts are also made to get best technical measures to minimize the glacial threat in identified glacial lakes and the roles and responsibilities of different stakeholders.

In response, the Governor provided several valuable suggestions and assured his full support in the matter, the release informs.

The Governor further said that he will raise this matter at the Central level for further support, so that this sensitive environmental concern is addressed. He also expressed his deep concern regarding the high risk lakes and directed the officials for timely updated information from the department.

Additionally, Dr. Tambe shared information on various other initiatives undertaken by the department. He specifically provided detailed insights into the ongoing research focused on the declining production of large cardamom in the State, the release mentions.