Guwahati, June 25: Sikkim Chief Minister Minister Prem Singh Tamang has requested the Ministry of Jal Shakti to constitute a team of experts to study Teesta river’s morphology, assess the damage, and provide guidance, resources, and expert recommendations.

Tamang met Union Minister for Jal Shakti Mr C.R Patil today and briefed him on the problems being faced by the state.

The Chief Minister highlighted before C R Patil the immense challenges faced by the state following a sudden cloudburst on October 3rd and 4th, 2023, which led to a significant discharge in the Teesta River. This event brought in enormous debris, causing a substantial rise in the water level due to sedimentation, with the riverbed level rising by approximately 8-10 meters and drastically altering the morphology of the river.

Emphasizing the urgent need to strengthen the Teesta River banks, Chief Minister called for appropriate River Training Works (RTW) along the alignment from Zeema to Melli. Implementing these RTWs, he noted, will help mitigate the devastation from the river and prevent further disasters.

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The Chief Minister detailed how the silt deposits have caused the river to swell, partially submerging low-lying areas and endangering lives and properties. Continuous heavy downpour during the monsoon has raised water levels dangerously, threatening to submerge the towns of Dikchu, Singtam, Rangpo, and Melli. Infrastructure such as road networks, jhora training works, and river protection walls have been severely damaged.

Union Minister for Jal Shakti Mr C.R Patil has instructed the authorities to pay utmost heed to the proposal regarding the costitution of team of experts for the needful and immediate necessities and mitigation in regards to the rivers and glaciers of Sikkim.

Read: 19 vulnerable glacial lakes identified in Sikkim

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