Sikkim flash flood brings to a halt power supply from Teesta III, Teesta V and Dikchu hydro projects

Negotiations on with Central power authorities to prevent power crisis 

EOI, GANGTOK, 10 OCTOBER  2023 : The catastrophic flash flood on October 4 has caused massive damage to the power infrastructure along the the Teesta river basin; in Singtam, Rangpo and beyond towards the Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts of West Bengal. Power transmission and distribution lines along with distribution substations have been washed away by the flood waters or buried under sand, says a Sikkim Power Department release, Power supply has been badly affected in Chungthang, Lachen, Lachung, Toong Naga, Sangkalang, Upper and Lower Dzongu and Dikchu in north Sikkim. 

Power supply has been affected in the entire Industrial belt of Samardong, Thalthaley, Tar Khola, Burul, Suiram, Mangley, Melli Bazar and its surrounding region; as well as the Melli Police Check Post, Singtam Adarsh Gaon. Singtam Bazar, Golitar, Linkutar, the Makha Samdong areas, Rangpo, IBM area, Majua, Indrakil Chanatar, Majhitar, Baghey khola, Singleybong, West Pendam and Central Pendam. 

The Power Department is working to temporarily restore power supply and aid the rescue and relief operations in the affected region. With the aid of diesel generator sets, all the relief camps in all the affected areas have been illuminated, Flood Lights and street lights are illuminating Rangpo, the submerged IBM areas, Golitar, Singtam, Samradong and Dikchu Bazar. Supply of power to Lower Zongu upto Phidand and the Dzongu areas was restored on October 6. 

In the severely ravaged Chungthang town, power supply from Lachung hydro- electric project was provided to the healthy and functional distribution lines on October 7. Illumination was extended to the Community Hall Relief Camp in Chungthang on October 9. 

Due to the complete breakdown in access to Lachen and severe damage to the power lines leading to that area, there had been total power outage in and around Lachen. To ensure power supply from the 2x1.5 MW Chatten Power House operated by SPDCL, senior engineers from the Power Department were air-lifted to Chatten on Tuesday and supply was successfully restored. 

In all the other flood affected areas, power supply has been restored; except in the submerged areas of Rangpo and Singtam where compound illumination through diesel general sets is being provided; and in some parts of north Sikkim where restoration work is still in progress. 

The 1200 MW Teesta III hydro- electric project, the, 510 MW Teesta V hydro-electric project and the 96 MW Dikchu hydro- electric project have been totally affected, resulting in the deprivation of the 12 power share of power from these hydro-electric project and causing a significant shortfall in the supply of power to the state. The department is however negotiating with the Central Power authorities to ensure there is no power crisis.