culture · Chungthang, North Sikkim
Understanding the 2023 flood at Chungthang
On the night of 4 October 2023, heavy rain caused South Lhonak, a glacial lake in the far north-west of the district, to burst its moraine dam. The water rushed down the Lachen valley. A warning reached the Teesta-III dam at Chungthang around midnight, but the flood arrived before the gates could be fully opened, and the dam was destroyed.
Downstream the Teesta rose by 15 to 20 feet. Fifteen bridges were washed away across the state, more than 90 people were confirmed dead within two weeks, and soldiers were among the missing. In Chungthang itself, buildings and roads near the river were swept away or buried in silt.
The effects lasted years. The Lachen road was cut, and tourist permits for Lachen did not resume until March 2026. Talk to your driver: almost everyone in North Sikkim lost something that night, and many will tell you where they were. Listen more than you photograph.
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What happened at Chungthang in October 2023
A glacial lake outburst flood from South Lhonak Lake reached Chungthang around midnight on 4 October 2023 and destroyed the 1,200 MW Teesta-III dam within minutes. Buildings, roads and bridges were swept away, and the Teesta rose sharply downstream, causing deaths and damage across Sikkim and West Bengal.
Is Chungthang safe now
Chungthang has been largely rebuilt for road traffic, and tourists pass through daily when North Sikkim is open. Risks remain in heavy rain, when landslides and river surges can occur. Follow official advisories and your driver's advice, and check current status before you travel.
Will the Teesta-III dam be rebuilt
Plans to rebuild have been discussed, and Lepcha groups and others have protested against reconstruction, citing safety and the risk of future glacial floods. The outcome may change, so treat any statement as provisional. You will see construction in the area, but not all of it is the dam.
