A Race Against Time

As monsoons loom over Sikkim, the state government must take urgent steps to fortify its disaster preparedness. The Himalayan region, already fragile due to seismic activity, faces heightened risks of landslides, flash floods, and infrastructure collapses during heavy rains. The recurring annual calamities, including the devastating Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) in the Teesta River basin, serve as grim reminders of nature’s unpredictability and the dire consequences of inadequate preparedness. Yet, every year, authorities scramble reactively instead of proactively mitigating disasters.

Sikkim’s monsoon woes are not new. Landslides triggered by incessant rain routinely sever road connectivity, isolating entire districts. Poor drainage systems lead to waterlogging, causing road collapses and disrupting essential services. In rural areas, where access to medical aid is already limited, these disruptions can be fatal. Despite such well-documented risks, preemptive measures remain insufficient. Emergency stockpiling of food, fuel, and medical supplies in vulnerable areas should have been completed by now. Yet, as in previous years, last-minute actions will likely replace a structured preparedness plan. The state’s road network, particularly National Highway 10—the lifeline of Sikkim—suffers repeated damage due to landslides. Instead of investing in alternative routes or implementing slope stabilization projects in advance, repairs begin only after disasters strike. The delay in reinforcing infrastructure exposes the government’s complacency.

The state has experienced catastrophic floods and landslides repeatedly. The October 2023 GLOF disaster, which swept away bridges and claimed lives, should have served as a wake-up call. Yet, have we seen significant improvements in early warning systems? Have disaster shelters been set up in high-risk zones? The answer remains disappointingly vague. In countries like Japan, where earthquakes and typhoons are common, preparedness drills are routine, and early warning systems are meticulously maintained. Sikkim, too, needs a similar culture of preparedness. Public awareness campaigns, real-time weather alerts, and well-equipped emergency response teams must be operational before, not after, a crisis unfolds.

With monsoons approaching, the government must act swiftly. Roads, bridges, and embankments must be inspected and reinforced. Remote villages must have adequate reserves of food, water, and medicines. Real-time flood and landslide alerts need to be deployed to at-risk communities. Disaster response teams should be fully trained and equipped, ready to act at a moment’s notice. Community-based disaster preparedness programs must also be implemented to ensure that local populations know how to respond in emergencies.

The government cannot afford to be caught off guard yet again. Monsoons are predictable—disasters that follow should not be. Sikkim must prepare now or risk paying a heavy price later.