Unstable Terrain: Landslide Devastates Teesta Dam Power Station in Sikkim

A massive landslide recently struck the Teesta Stage 5 power station in Sikkim, India, highlighting the vulnerability of infrastructure to natural disasters. The landslide, which occurred early on a Tuesday morning at Dipu Dara near Singtam, severely damaged the 510 MW power station operated by the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC). 

The Teesta power station had been experiencing minor landslides in the weeks leading up to the incident. These warning signs prompted the evacuation of the station just days before the catastrophic landslide. As a result, there were no injuries or casualties, although significant damage was done to the powerhouse and 17-18 nearby homes, displacing families who were moved to NHPC quarters for safety.

The Teesta Stage 5 power station had already been out of service following damage from a severe flash flood in October 2023, caused by the bursting of the Lhonak glacial lake.

The landslide's impact on an already compromised dam structure has further emphasized the importance of integrating advanced geotechnical strategies into the design and maintenance of such critical infrastructure.

The moment the landslide struck the hydroelectric station is depicted in the following tweet.