Context:
A landslide damaged six houses and a building of the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) at the site of its Teesta-V hydropower station in Sikkim’s Gangtok district recently.
Relevance:
GS III: Infrastructure
Teesta-V Hydropower Station:
- The Teesta-V is a significant hydropower station generating 510 MW, located in the Teesta River basin within the Gangtok district of Sikkim.
- The facility features an 88.6-meter tall and 176.5-meter long concrete gravity dam that manages a reservoir used for daily power peaking.
- Construction began in 1999, with the station becoming operational in 2008.
- The station is managed and owned by the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC).
Teesta River
- The Teesta River traverses the regions of Sikkim and West Bengal in India before entering Rangpur in Bangladesh.
- It serves as a tributary to the Brahmaputra River.
- The river marks the boundary between Sikkim and West Bengal.
- River Course Details:
- Originates near Chunthang in Sikkim, descending southwards through the Siwalik Hills near Darjiling.
- Changes direction southeast towards the Sivok Khola pass, leading onto the West Bengal plains.
- Historically, it flowed south to the upper Padma River but shifted east around 1787 to join the Jamuna River in the Rangpur area of Bangladesh.
- The river spans approximately 309 kilometers and oversees a drainage area of around 12,540 square kilometers.
- Key Tributaries:
- Left-bank: Includes Lachung Chhu, Chakung Chhu, Dik Chhu, Rani Khola, and Rangpo Chhu.
- Right-bank: Comprises Zemu Chhu, Rangyong Chhu, and Rangit River.
-Source: The Hindu
