Bhutan Glacial Lake Burst Triggers Flood Scare in North Bengal, 12,000 Evacuated

A massive glacial lake outburst in Bhutan triggered a flood alert across parts of North Bengal and Assam, prompting the evacuation of nearly 12,000 people from vulnerable areas. Authorities remained on high alert on Friday as they monitored the rising flood threat along the Sankosh river, although the situation in West Bengal was reported to be under control by the afternoon.

The outburst occurred at Shintaphu Lake in Bhutan’s Gasa district on Thursday, releasing approximately 7.4 million cubic metres of water into the Mo Chhu (Mofu) river. The surge travelled downstream towards the Sankosh, which flows along the West Bengal-Assam border.

In West Bengal, evacuation operations began late Thursday night in vulnerable villages across Alipurduar district. Loudspeaker announcements urged residents living along riverbanks to move to safer locations. Families were seen leaving their homes with cattle and belongings.

Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said nearly 12,000 people had been evacuated from vulnerable areas of Alipurduar. He added that the Sankosh was flowing below the danger level and the situation in Alipurduar and Jalpaiguri remained under control. All 47 people whose whereabouts had initially raised concerns were traced and confirmed safe.

North Bengal’s Cooch Behar district, particularly Tufanganj and Baksirhat, was also placed on alert. SDRF and NDRF teams were kept ready for rescue operations. The IMD’s forecast of heavy rainfall in Alipurduar, another district in North Bengal, added to concerns over a possible rise in river levels.

In Assam, authorities stepped up monitoring in Dhubri and Kokrajhar. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the situation was being closely monitored.

The floods caused damage in Bhutan, including at the Gasa Tshachu hot springs, roads and bridges. Parts of the Punakha-Gasa highway were also affected. No casualties had been reported.

Precautionary measures were also taken at the Punatsangchhu-II hydropower project, an India-Bhutan joint venture, amid concerns over increased river flow.