India, Oct. 3 -- Three years ago on this day, Sikkim experienced a devastating Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) when a massive landmass slipped into the South Lhonak lake, triggering a flash flood downstream along the Teesta river basin. The GLOF officially claimed 55 lives, left 74 people missing and 7,025 people displaced, according to the National Disaster Management Authority's "Post Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA), 2023" report. Overall, the October 4, 2023 GLOF has affected around 80,000 people across 100 villages.

The GLOF also devastated bridges, buildings, agricultural land, roads, and the Teesta III hydropower dam at Chungthang. According to the PDNA report, the total damage and losses amounted to Rs.1,480.066 crore across s...