On August 20, 2024, the world witnessed another major landslide that badly damaged a hydropower project in the fragile Himalayan ecosystem along the river Teesta. This latest landslide caused major destruction of the 510 MW NHPC Teesta-V hydropower power station in Sikkim, India.
Fortunately, no casualties have been reported but the region is still reeling from last October’s glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) and the subsequent dam burst of the Teesta III in Chungthang which is upstream of this Teesta-V project. The Teesta-V hydropower dam was currently not in operation because of the damage it sustained during last year’s flood.
A local village resident, who did not wish to be named, said the landslide was only 10 meters from his family’s home. The village is still in shock and fear remains high. Although lives were saved because many people were evacuated in time, concerns over cracks in homes and a bigger landslide are ever-present.
This hydropower project has experienced multiple disasters and raised concerns from local communities and experts for years. This is not the first time that a massive landslide has badly damaged the Teesta V hydropower project of Sikkim. South Asia Network of Rivers and People (SANDRP) noted, “it has already happened on a number of earlier occasions including in March 2023, June 2020, among others. There have been other disasters related to the project.” In 2021, International Rivers called out the hydropower lobby for their continued greenwashing of dams after they awarded Teesta-V a “sustainability” prize. The Teesta-V has been a highly problematic project that has engendered vocal opposition among local communities.
The increasing frequency of landslides, glacial lake outburst flooding, and other impacts from climate change in the Himalayas continue to raise critical questions about the sustainability, high costs, and safety of hydropower projects in such a dynamic environment.
Last year on October 4, 2023, a GLOF destroyed the Chungthang dam (also called Teesta III) upstream on the Teesta River in Sikkim, killing over 20 people and affecting thousands downstream. The flood waters washed away several bridges and sections of the main National Highway 10, which cut off access for multiple villages. This costly dam was washed away in 10 minutes. GLOFs occur when a glacial lake overflows and bursts, a phenomenon that has become more frequent as climate change accelerates glacial melt. These events are particularly concerning in South Asia where they pose a significant threat to dams and communities that live downstream.
“Our river and people cannot take more development like this. Landslides are now far more frequent and we live in constant fear of them. Landslides and other impacts from unchecked development not only cause damage to our homes and livelihoods but cut off access by damaging highways and roads that are a crucial link to the rest of the country for supplies and movement of goods and services,” said Mayalmit Lepcha, General Secretary of Affected Citizens of Teesta.
The construction of large dams and reservoirs not only alters the natural flow of rivers but also puts immense pressure on the surrounding landscape. The fragile mountainous terrain, already susceptible to natural disasters, has been further destabilized by extensive construction activities. The steep slopes of the Himalayas are particularly vulnerable to such disturbances, leading to an increased frequency of landslides, flash floods, and erosion. These landslides are often triggered by the excavation and blasting required for building dams and tunnels, which weakens the slopes and makes them prone to collapse. These disasters not only threaten the lives of local communities but also disrupt the delicate ecological balance of the region.
This latest landslide highlights why hydropower in the Himalayas is an ill-conceived and destructive pathway for India. The governments of India and the state of Sikkim need to listen to the local communities and leaders calling for a halt to these projects and a new direction for the region. The economic impact of these disasters makes projects like these extremely unviable. Development banks and financiers must take notice.
Featured photo: The damaged NHPC power station in Sikkim. East Mojo