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A landslide in Sikkim caused damage to six houses and a building of the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) at its Teesta-5 hydropower station in Gangtok
Environmental costs associated with hydropower projects
Hydropower projects can trigger landslides, as seen with recent damage to NHPC's Teesta-5 station.
Melting glaciers and outbursts, like the South Lhonak glacier (sikkim) that destroyed the Chungthang dam last year, can severely impact hydropower infrastructure.
Inadequate design or construction, such as using cheaper materials, can lead to dam failures, causing extensive damage and loss of power
Building large dams and reservoirs alters natural river ecosystems, affecting wildlife and plant life.
Reservoirs can trap sediments, reducing their storage capacity and affecting riverbed habitats downstream.
Diversion of river flow for power generation can impact water availability and quality downstream, affecting agriculture and local communities.
Initial cost savings on construction may lead to higher long-term environmental and repair costs, undermining sustainability
Tso Lhamo Lake
Tso Lhamo lake aka Chho Lhamo, Cholamu Lake is one of the highest lakes in the world, located at an altitude of 5,280 m
It is situated in Mangan district, Sikkim, India, about 4 km southwest of the international border with China.
It is fed mainly by waters from Kangtse glacier
The Teesta river, a tributary of the Brahmaputra, originates from the Tso Lhamo Lake
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