Bhutan GLOF triggers flood alert in Assam and North Bengal. (Img: X)
New Delhi: A glacial lake outburst in Bhutan has raised flood concerns across parts of Assam and West Bengal, prompting authorities to issue precautionary alerts and urge residents in vulnerable areas to move to safer locations. Officials are closely monitoring the Sankosh River amid fears of a sudden rise in water levels.
The glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) was reported on Thursday evening at Shintaphu Lake, situated below Wakila Mountain in Lungo, within Bhutan's Gasa district. The incident has raised concerns about a possible surge of water travelling downstream into India.
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Sirens were reportedly sounded in vulnerable areas, and residents living near the river were moved to safer locations. Shintaphu is among Bhutan's 17 potentially dangerous glacial lakes.
Authorities are assessing the scale of the outburst and monitoring water discharge. However, the initial reports indicated that the full extent of the incident and its potential downstream impact were yet to be established.
The Government of India has issued a special advisory warning of a possible sudden rise in water levels along the Sankosh River.
In West Bengal, the alert covers Alipurduar, Jalpaiguri, Cooch Behar and the Darjeeling hills. Assam's district has also been placed on alert.
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The advisory cautioned that a flash flood in the upper reaches of the Punatsangchhu River could affect downstream areas. The river enters India and is known as the Sankosh.
NDRF and SDRF teams have been deployed in Tufanganj and Boxirhat in Cooch Behar district to respond to any emergency. Officials have also been asked to monitor vulnerable riverbank settlements.
West Bengal Forest Minister and Kumargram MLA Manoj Kumar Oraon appealed to people living along the Sankosh River in Alipurduar to evacuate as a precaution.
In a video message shared on Facebook, he warned of a possible rise in water levels in the Kumargram area and urged residents to follow administrative instructions.
Darjeeling MP Raju Bista also issued a public safety warning, asking people in the Darjeeling hills, Terai and Dooars to remain vigilant and move away from the Sankosh and its connected tributaries.
A GLOF occurs when water accumulated in a glacier-fed lake is suddenly released, often following the failure or breach of a natural barrier. Such floods can carry large volumes of water, rocks and debris, threatening settlements, roads, bridges and agricultural land.
With the water movement being closely tracked, authorities are continuing precautionary measures to minimise risks to communities downstream.
