More than a thousand people living along the Phochhu and Punatsangchhu rivers in Punakha took part in a Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) awareness programme and evacuation mock drill. The programme aimed to strengthen community preparedness as nine potentially dangerous glacial lakes, including Thorthormi and Raphstreng, lie upstream of the Phochhu in Lunana. With climate change contributing to glacier retreat and changing conditions around glacial lakes, authorities say the risk of sudden outburst floods remains a serious concern for downstream communities. Studies suggest a potential GLOF from the Lunana glacier complex could affect more than 16,000 people, infrastructure and agricultural land as far as 150 kilometres downstream, with floodwaters potentially reaching Punakha in about six hours. Officials emphasised that the risk cannot be linked to a single lake because the lakes are interconnected, meaning an outburst from one could potentially trigger others. The awareness programme, conducted by the Department of Local Governance and Disaster Management, Bhutan Red Cross Society and Punakha District Administration, focused on evacuation sites, transport arrangements, communication networks and emergency procedures. Communities are also establishing Community Support Groups led by Chiwog Tshogpas to help share warnings and coordinate evacuations. A WhatsApp group and emergency contact numbers have been set up to improve communication during emergencies. Residents then practised evacuation procedures through a mock drill. Similar awareness programmes are planned for communities living along the rivers in Wangdue Phodrang. Officials say preparedness at the community level is crucial, as knowing where to go, whom to contact and how to respond quickly could save lives when a GLOF occurs.