Siliguri (Gurpreet Singh): A glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) in Bhutan has damaged infrastructure in the Himalayan kingdom and triggered emergency measures in neighbouring India, with around 12,000 people relocated from vulnerable areas of West Bengal’s Alipurduar district.
The outburst was reported at Shintaphu Lake in Bhutan’s Gasa district on Thursday evening, October 29. The surge of water travelled downstream through the Mo Chhu River system towards the Sankosh River, prompting flood warnings in parts of North Bengal and Assam.
In Bhutan, the floodwaters washed away the Gasa Tshachu hot spring complex and damaged a section of the Punakha-Gasa highway. Authorities closed the affected road to traffic as they assessed the damage. No deaths or injuries had been reported in Bhutan as of the morning of October 30.
Around 12,000 People Relocated in North Bengal
Authorities in West Bengal initiated precautionary evacuations in areas along the Sankosh River and its tributaries following warnings of a possible sudden rise in water levels.
Alipurduar Superintendent of Police Amit Kumar Shaw said initially that around 4,000 to 5,000 people had been moved to temporary shelters, including school buildings, while more than 6,000 others had been shifted to safer locations.
A later report put the total number of people relocated in Alipurduar district at around 12,000.
The administration arranged dry food, drinking water and other essential facilities at relief centres. Residents of vulnerable riverbank areas were advised to follow official instructions and move away from locations at risk of flooding.
The Sankosh river system was placed under a red alert. Residents of the Darjeeling hills, Terai and Dooars were also asked to remain vigilant.
NDRF, SDRF Teams Mobilised
West Bengal State Minister Nisith Pramanik said the state disaster management team had been activated and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) had been alerted.
The State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) was deployed in the affected areas, while an NDRF team was on its way. Civil Defence personnel and disaster management volunteers were also mobilised.
Shaw urged residents not to panic, saying the district administration, police and other agencies were coordinating with Bhutanese authorities.
He said the intensity of the water flow had decreased slightly according to the information available at the time, but officials continued to monitor the situation. He also warned that the floodwater could carry debris, including large pieces of wood and concrete.
The Central Water Commission (CWC) separately issued a special flood advisory for West Bengal and Assam, warning of a possible sudden rise in water levels in Alipurduar and Assam’s Dhubri district.
A subsequent update from West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said the situation in the affected areas was under control and the Sankosh was flowing below the danger mark.
Bhutan GLOF Washes Away Gasa Hot Spring Complex
The flood caused significant damage in Bhutan’s Gasa district. According to reports cited by ANI, the Gasa Tshachu hot spring complex, located beside the Mo Chhu River, was washed away.
A section of the Punakha-Gasa Secondary National Highway near the 31.85-kilometre point was also damaged, leading authorities to suspend traffic until further notice. Travellers were advised to postpone non-essential journeys or confirm alternative arrangements.
Floodwater reportedly reached Taktsemakhang on Thursday evening, damaging a road section connecting the remote highland community of Laya. Warning sirens were activated and precautionary evacuations were carried out in potentially exposed areas.
The full extent of the damage and the cause and volume of the water release were still being assessed.
What Is a Glacial Lake Outburst Flood?
A Glacial Lake Outburst Flood, commonly known as a GLOF or jökulhlaup, occurs when water stored in a glacial lake is suddenly released after the natural barrier holding it back is breached or weakened.
Such floods can move rapidly through mountain valleys, carrying mud, rocks and other debris. They can damage roads, bridges, settlements and other infrastructure far downstream.
Shintaphu Lake, located near Wakila Mountain in Bhutan’s Gasa district, is listed among the country’s potentially dangerous glacial lakes and has been subject to monitoring.
The latest incident has once again highlighted the risk that glacial lake outbursts in the Himalayan region can pose to communities and infrastructure across national borders.
