GLOFfundraiser

GLOF fundraiser

Supporting affected communities in Sikkim and Darjeeling hills

Our response

In October 2023, the Critical Himalayan Collective organised a fundraiser in the UK and Amsterdam in response to the devastating Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) at South Lhonak Lake in Sikkim and Darjeeling hills.

On 4th of October 2023, the Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) at South Lhonak Lake in Sikkim led to many deaths and people stranded in the epicenter, Chungthang, North Sikkim. Intense rainfall caused the high-altitude Lhonak Lake to burst and Teesta Phase III dam in Chungthang, one of the largest in India, to collapse after Sikkim received 101mm (four inches) of rain in the first five days of October, resulting in the outburst and floods. The GLOF is a catastrophic consequence of rampant human intervention, unsustainable development and the climate crisis in the ecologically fragile landscape, ultimately affecting the most vulnerable communities.

The hydropower projects, although considered a 'renewable' source of energy and for the development and progress of the state, have the most devastating effects on the river, the local culture, communities and our ecosystems. The recent GLOF highlighted irreversible impacts, rendering the region even more susceptible to natural disasters like landslides and flash floods.

Communities reached

As a response to the disaster, the collective started a fundraiser to support the grassroots organisations helping the affected people in Sikkim and West Bengal. In the UK we were able to raise £1782 and in Amsterdam €1628 which was donated to three local non-profit organisations:

The Rainbow Hills Association, Gangtok Sikkim.
The Prerna Gaon Vikash Sanstha, Tadong, Gangtok, Sikkim.
Rivers and Stories, in collaboration with Anugyalaya’s Disaster Risk Reduction Unit, Darjeeling.

The donations were used by the local organisations to provide relief materials to the flood affected areas and help the college students who have lost their homes and families in this tragic incident to continue their education. The funds will also be used in providing counseling to those affected by the floods with the aim to build a resilient community.

Our work in the future

As we continue to work in the diaspora to center the Himalayan region, our efforts remain to shed light on the multifaceted issues on our fragile Himalayan lands. The Collective will continue working towards supporting the grassroot organisations, communities and individuals affected by such crises and beyond in the near future.