Teesta Glacial Lake Outburst Flood and Disaster Management Concerns in India The Teesta Glacial Lake Outburst Flood of October 2023 caused widespread devastation in Sikkim and the Darjeeling hills. While Sikkim received significant attention, including extensive media coverage, the Darjeeling hills were largely overlooked, despite severe impacts in the region. In India, disaster management is primarily a state responsibility, but the central government plays a vital role in providing support, guidance, and resources. However, in the case of the Darjeeling hills, central government involvement was minimal, limited to sporadic mentions by the Darjeeling MP. A possible reason for this could be the political dynamics at play. The TMC-led West Bengal government did not officially declare the flood a "disaster," despite the Kalimpong District Magistrate’s report documenting damages exceeding ₹1200 crore, along with loss of life and missing persons. Declaring the event a disaster would have triggered central government funding, potentially allowing the BJP to claim credit, which may have been politically disadvantageous for the TMC-led state government. As a result, the Darjeeling hills, once again, became a victim of political maneuvering. This underscores the need for a more robust disaster management framework. While disaster management is a state subject, there have been discussions about including it in the Concurrent List, enabling both central and state governments to legislate and act more effectively. Furthermore, given Northeast India’s vulnerability to various disasters, including the Darjeeling hills, there is an urgent need for regional representation in the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA). Currently, the NDMA has only three members, with just one considered a domain expert, while the others come from defense backgrounds. The inclusion of subject experts, academic professionals, and regional representatives in the NDMA is critical to addressing the unique challenges of disaster-prone areas like Northeast India. I have already raised this concern with our MP, urging him to advocate for regional representation in the NDMA, and I hope this request has been communicated to the relevant authorities. The Darjeeling hills and Northeast India deserve a disaster management system that prioritizes their needs over political considerations. Immediate steps must be taken to ensure equitable support and representation for all affected regions.