Following a Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) at Shintaphu Lake in Bhutan’s northern Gasa district, prompt intervention by the Union Water Resources Ministry enabled West Bengal and Assam to take swift precautionary measures to safeguard vulnerable communities. The outburst unleashed flash floods along the Mo Chhu river system, which flows into the Sankosh River—a key waterway traversing Alipurduar in West Bengal and Kokrajhar and Dhubri in Assam. Alerted by central authorities on Thursday night, the West Bengal government successfully relocated over 8,000 residents from high-risk zones near the Sankosh in Alipurduar to safer ground. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari confirmed that state officials monitored the situation continuously through the night and reported that water levels have since remained below the danger mark. In lower Assam, disaster management officials placed Kokrajhar and Dhubri districts on high alert, inspecting vulnerable points while water levels began to recede safely. In Bhutan, the outburst caused severe infrastructure damage, completely washing away the famous Gasa Tshachu hot springs and a local Bailey bridge, ravaging Dzomlingthang Park in Punakha, damaging key highway stretches, and leaving 123 tourists temporarily stranded. Accumulated flood debris also formed a temporary artificial lake at Taktsemakhang, prompting visits by Bhutan’s King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay to assess structural damage and oversee debris-clearing efforts. While the event echoed memories of the catastrophic October 2023 Sikkim GLOF, Sikkim remained unaffected, and early warnings ensured no casualties were reported in India or Bhutan.
Prompt Action Prevents Disaster in Alipurduar as Bhutan Glacial Lake Flood Threatens Border States
