📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Hawkes & Co
Science
Shako Chho identified as Sikkim’s most vulnerable glacial lake
✍️ Sikkimexpress
🗓 02 Sep 2026, 05:13 AM
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A recent assessment by Sikkim authorities has flagged Shako Chho lake as the state’s most vulnerable glacial lake, raising concerns over potential outburst floods.
A scientific survey conducted by the Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) has classified Shako Chho, a high‑altitude glacial lake in the northern district, as the most vulnerable among the state’s numerous glacial water bodies. The assessment, based on satellite imagery, field measurements and hydrological modelling, indicates that the lake’s moraine dam is thin and prone to rapid failure.
Experts warn that a sudden breach could trigger a Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF), endangering downstream villages such as Lachen and Lachung, as well as critical infrastructure along the Teesta River. The lake’s location at an elevation of over 5,000 metres further complicates rescue and mitigation efforts.
The SDMA has recommended immediate monitoring, installation of early‑warning sensors, and the construction of a controlled spillway to reduce water pressure. Local authorities are also preparing evacuation plans for communities in the potential flood zone.
While climate‑induced glacier melt continues to enlarge many alpine lakes in the Himalayas, the Shako Chho finding underscores the urgency of integrating glacial‑lake risk assessments into broader climate‑adaptation strategies for the region.
Experts warn that a sudden breach could trigger a Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF), endangering downstream villages such as Lachen and Lachung, as well as critical infrastructure along the Teesta River. The lake’s location at an elevation of over 5,000 metres further complicates rescue and mitigation efforts.
The SDMA has recommended immediate monitoring, installation of early‑warning sensors, and the construction of a controlled spillway to reduce water pressure. Local authorities are also preparing evacuation plans for communities in the potential flood zone.
While climate‑induced glacier melt continues to enlarge many alpine lakes in the Himalayas, the Shako Chho finding underscores the urgency of integrating glacial‑lake risk assessments into broader climate‑adaptation strategies for the region.