Flash Flood Warning Issued for West Bengal and Assam Following Glacial Lake Outburst in Bhutan

Thimphu, October 30 (Daily Kiran) : In Thimphu, Bhutan, a flash flood warning has been issued for parts of West Bengal and Assam following the burst of the Shintafu Lake in northwestern Bhutan. Authorities are closely monitoring vulnerable areas along rivers flowing into these states.

The incident occurred on Thursday evening in the Gasa district, resulting in the destruction of infrastructure at Gasa Tsachu, a popular natural hot spring located near the Mo Chhu River. Fortunately, the area was evacuated before the floodwaters arrived, and no casualties have been reported.

Shintafu Lake, situated at the source of the Mo Chhu River, is one of 17 glacial lakes in Bhutan deemed potentially hazardous. A similar flood caused significant damage to Gasa Tsachu on August 26, 2021, when the swollen Mo Chhu River altered its course towards the hot spring.

Reports indicate that floodwaters have moved beyond the Shrigang area in Kabesa Gewog, about eight kilometers from Punakha Dzong, raising concerns for low-lying regions along the river.

Bhutan has alerted the administrations of West Bengal and Assam regarding the potential risks to districts bordering the Himalayan nation. The Dhubri district in Assam and the Darjeeling hills, along with Alipurduar and Jalpaiguri in West Bengal, have been marked as sensitive areas.

In West Bengal, the Cooch Behar administration has warned residents living along the Sankosh River, which originates in northern Bhutan and is part of the river system that channels water from the Himalayas to the Brahmaputra River in Assam.

Officials are urging the public to remain vigilant and have assured that precautionary measures are being implemented.

Amit Kumar Shaw, the Superintendent of Police in Alipurduar district, has called for calm, stating, “There is no need for panic. We are on alert mode, and the administration is fully prepared. All agencies are actively working, so there should be no issues. We hope to find solutions and alleviate the public’s concerns.”

This sudden flooding has also affected infrastructure in Bhutan. An official press release noted that the solar-powered irrigation lifting system installed earlier this year in the Dochukha-Jomaligangthang-Ritsa Chivog area of Punakha has suffered partial damage due to the sudden rise in water levels of the Mo Chhu River.

A local leader reported that the irrigation system has ceased functioning, although officials have yet to assess the extent of the damage.

Additionally, debris carried by the floodwaters has covered a section of the Punakha-Gasa highway in the Jomaligangthang area, potentially disrupting road connectivity.

Glacial lake outburst floods occur when water accumulated in a glacial lake suddenly discharges, often due to the failure of a natural dam. Such events can be triggered by heavy rainfall, landslides, avalanches, earthquakes, or rapid glacier melting.

Increasing temperatures due to human-induced climate change are accelerating the retreat of glaciers, raising concerns about the stability of glacial lakes. The sudden release of water can lead to powerful floods, threatening people, infrastructure, and agricultural land in downstream areas.