Glacial lake outburst flood in Bhutan: North Bengal on high alert, thousands relocated; disaster response teams activated

ANI | Babushahi Network Oct 30, 2026 08:46 (IST)

Siliguri (West Bengal) [India], October 30, 2026 (ANI): A Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) was reported at Lemthang in Bhutan, with overflowing water from the lake flowing downstream through the Mo Chhu River towards the Sankosh River, prompting authorities to issue a high alert across North Bengal and initiate emergency preparedness measures.
Residents living along the Sankosh River and its tributaries have been advised to immediately move to safer locations. People in the Darjeeling hills, Terai and Dooars regions have also been urged to remain alert in view of the possibility of flooding.
BJP MP from Darjeeling Raju Bista shared an alert regarding the development in a post on X, urging residents in vulnerable areas to take precautionary measures.
“A glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) has been reported at Lemthang in Bhutan. The overflowing water from the lake is flowing downwards through the Mofu River towards the Sunkosh River,” the post read.
“Therefore, everyone living in the catchment areas of the Sunkosh River and all its connected tributaries have been informed to move to a safe distance immediately to protect their lives. Everyone in our Darjeeling hills, Terai and Dooars region are requested to stay alert,” he added.

A GLOF, also known as a jökulhlaup, is a sudden and potentially catastrophic flood that occurs when the natural dam holding back a glacial lake fails or is breached, releasing large volumes of water downstream.
Speaking about the preparedness measures, State Minister Nisith Pramanik said that reports had been received regarding the glacial lake outburst in Bhutan and that the overflowing water was moving towards the Sankosh River through the Mo Chhu River.
“Reports have just come in regarding a glacial lake outburst in Bhutan. Water from the lake is overflowing and flowing downstream into the Mo Chhu River, heading toward the Sankosh River. Residents living along the Sankosh River and its tributaries have been alerted; they are advised to move to a safe distance immediately to ensure their safety," Pramanik said.
He further said that the water was expected to reach the plains within the next five to six hours, raising concerns about significant flooding in the region.
"To manage the situation, the State Disaster Management Team has been activated, and the NDRF has also been notified. Disaster management volunteers have been instructed to be present on-site. The government is taking proactive measures and closely monitoring the situation to prevent any loss of life or property," he added.
Meanwhile, Alipurduar Superintendent of Police Amit Kumar Shaw appealed to residents not to panic, stating that the administration was coordinating with Bhutanese authorities and various disaster response agencies to deal with the situation.
"First of all, I would like to tell the residents of the district that there is absolutely no need to panic. The situation is currently under control. We are in constant touch with the authorities in Bhutan. Our police team, the District Magistrate (DM) and the Block Development Officer (BDO) with their respective teams, along with all relevant agencies and stakeholders, are working together in close coordination," Shaw told ANI.
He said that the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) was present in the area, while an NDRF team was also on its way. A Civil Defence team had additionally been deployed to assist in the preparedness measures.
"We have already moved approximately 4,000 to 5,000 people into shelters, utilising school buildings as relief centres. Additionally, more than 6,000 people have been relocated to safe areas," he said.
Shaw further stated that the intensity of the water flow had decreased slightly according to the latest information received, but the administration continued to remain on high alert.
"The police, the DM's office, and the BDO's office have made arrangements for dry food and drinking water. We have also ensured that other necessities, such as toilet facilities, are provided. We will wait to see what the situation looks like in two hours. We are fully prepared and ready to handle any emergency that may arise," he said.
He added that a red alert was in effect for the Sankosh River system, warning that the approaching water could carry dead fish and debris, including large pieces of wood and concrete.
"We expect to see water flowing through the Sankosh River, likely accompanied by dead fish, as well as large pieces of wood and concrete debris," Shaw said.
Authorities continue to monitor the situation, while disaster response teams and local administration officials remain on alert. Residents in vulnerable areas have been urged to follow official advisories. (ANI)

Bhutan GLOF washes away Gasa hot spring complex, damages highway; assessment underway

ANI | Oct 30, 2026 10:10 (IST)

Gasa, [Bhutan], October 30 (ANI): The reported glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) at Sintaphu Lake in Bhutan has washed away the Gasa Tshachu hot spring complex and damaged a section of the Punakha-Gasa highway, according to Daily Bhutan, as authorities continue to assess the extent of the damage.
A Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) occurs when water stored in a glacial lake is suddenly released, often due to a breach or weakening of its natural barriers, known as moraines. The resulting flood can rapidly travel through mountain valleys, carrying mud, rocks and debris and damaging roads, bridges and settlements.
In its latest update on Friday, Daily Bhutan reported that floodwaters following the reported lake outburst had washed away the well-known hot spring complex located beside the Mo Chhu River in Gasa district. The full extent of the damage is still being assessed.
A section of the Punakha-Gasa Secondary National Highway near the 31.85-kilometre point has also been completely washed away, prompting authorities to close the road to all traffic until further notice, the report said.
Travellers have been advised to postpone non-essential journeys or confirm alternative arrangements before departing.
The reported outburst occurred on Thursday evening, October 29, at Sintaphu Lake near Wakila Mountain in Lungo, Laya Gewog, in Bhutan's northern Gasa district.
According to Daily Bhutan, floodwater reached Taktsemakhang at around 8.15 pm on Thursday, damaging a section of the road connecting the remote highland community of Laya and forcing its closure. Laya is one of Bhutan’s most remote highland communities.
Precautionary evacuations were carried out in potentially exposed locations, while warning sirens were activated. No deaths or injuries had been reported as of the morning of October 30.
The cause of the water release, the volume of water involved and the full extent of the damage remain unconfirmed, the report added. Authorities are continuing to assess lake conditions and downstream impacts.
The water from Sintaphu Lake enters the Mo Chhu, which flows south through Gasa and Punakha. At Punakha, the Mo Chhu meets the Pho Chhu to form the Punatsangchhu, which later enters India as the Sankosh River.
Sintaphu is a high-altitude glacial lake at the headwaters of the Mo Chhu and appears on Bhutan’s official list of 17 potentially dangerous glacial lakes, Daily Bhutan reported.
The classification means the lake requires continued monitoring, not that an outburst is certain. Bhutanese specialists studied the lake between May and June 2023, and monitoring equipment has been installed in the area.
The study involved measuring the main and upper lakes, examining the surrounding terrain and moraine barriers, and monitoring the glacier that feeds the lake. Bhutan has also deployed monitoring equipment in the area to strengthen surveillance and mitigate potential glacial flood risks.
The reported outburst had prompted precautionary warnings in neighbouring India, particularly across North Bengal, where communities along the Sankosh River and its tributaries were advised to move to safer locations.
Meanwhile, the Central Water Commission (CWC) issued a special flood advisory for West Bengal and Assam, warning of a sudden rise in water levels in Alipurduar and Dhubri districts following the reported GLOF at Bhutan's Shintaphu Lake. Both states were placed on alert, with local authorities advised to closely monitor the Sankosh River and take precautionary measures. (ANI)