Nearly 7.4 million cubic metres of water reportedly surged from Shintaphu Lake, prompting evacuations in vulnerable areas along the Sankosh river
Guwahati: A glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) at Bhutan’s Shintaphu Lake has triggered flood alerts in Assam and West Bengal, with authorities evacuating vulnerable riverbank settlements in parts of northern West Bengal and placing Assam’s Dhubri district on alert.
The outburst in Bhutan’s Lemthang region sent nearly 7.4 million cubic metres of water into the Mo Chhu river, which flows into the Sankosh. West Bengal minister Nisith Pramanik urged residents in the Sankosh catchment and connected tributaries, including areas in Alipurduar and Cooch Behar, to move to safety. The surge was expected to reach border areas within six to eight hours.
SDRF and NDRF teams have been kept ready, while the IMD forecast heavy rainfall in Alipurduar. Assam authorities said the Sankosh’s water level was steady at 6.30 am on Friday, but Dhubri remained on alert. The Union Jal Shakti Ministry also warned of a possible sudden rise in water levels in Dhubri and Alipurduar.
In Bhutan, the flood reportedly damaged infrastructure at Gasa Tshachu hot spring. No casualties were reported, as the area had been evacuated. The incident has renewed concerns over Bhutan’s glacial lakes and potential risks to downstream communities and hydropower infrastructure, including the Punatsangchhu project.
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