Archive · 2 Sep 2026
Bista Seeks Himalayan Study Committee After Nepal Disaster
Raju Bista wants experts to study why parts of the Himalayas are at risk from disasters.
He suggested that scientist Eklabya Sharma lead the committee.
The group would examine floods from melting glacier lakes, cloudbursts, landslides and drainage problems.
Bista made the request after a major disaster in Nepal.
He also pointed to the 2023 South Lhonak flood in Sikkim.
That flood damaged areas along the Teesta river and nearby districts.
Bista said crowded hill towns and old infrastructure make the region more vulnerable.
The Bengal government also launched a 200-person disaster response force called Arjun Vahini.
Darjeeling MP Raju Bista urged the Bengal government to create an expert committee on Himalayan vulnerabilities.
Bista proposed Padma Shri awardee and mountain expert Eklabya Sharma as the committee’s chair.
The study would examine glacial floods, cloudbursts, landslides, river behavior and drainage failures.
Bista cited the recent Nepal disaster and the 2023 South Lhonak flood in Sikkim as warnings.
Bengal launched Arjun Vahini with 200 personnel, including 50 assigned to the Darjeeling and Kalimpong hills.
- Who
- Darjeeling BJP MP Raju Bista, mountain expert Eklabya Sharma and the Bengal government.
- What
- Bista sought an expert committee to study Himalayan risks and recommend disaster-prevention measures.
- When
- Bista wrote the request on August 31; the government acknowledged it and launched Arjun Vahini on Tuesday.
- Where
- The proposed study concerns the Himalayan region of West Bengal, including Darjeeling, Kurseong, Kalimpong and Mirik.
- Why
- The request followed the recent Nepal disaster and concerns over landslides, floods, cloudbursts, glacial hazards and vulnerable infrastructure.
- Proposed committee head
- Eklabya Sharma, a mountain expert and 2024 Padma Shri awardee.
- Requested study areas
- Glacial lake outburst floods, cloudbursts, landslide susceptibility, river systems and urban drainage failures.
- Earlier disaster cited
- The October 2023 South Lhonak glacial lake outburst flood in Sikkim.
- Proposed committee role
- Recommend mitigation measures, preparedness protocols and early-warning systems.
- Arjun Vahini strength
- The new state-level disaster response force initially has 200 personnel.
- Hill deployment
- Fifty specially trained personnel are planned for the Darjeeling and Kalimpong hills.