A fresh flood threat from Bhutan has put parts of West Bengal and Assam on alert. The situation is linked to a Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) in Sinthaphu Lake, Bhutan.
Last week, a GLOF occurred in the lake, which flows into the Mo Chhu river and later enters Bengal’s Alipurduar and Assam’s Dhubri as the Sankosh river. Following the incident, around 8,000 people were shifted to safer places. However, they returned home after the water level receded.
On Wednesday night, a massive landslide in Bhutan’s Gasa district created an artificial lake. On Friday morning, the lake breached, releasing water downstream. The sudden flow washed away temporary bridges at Tongchudra and Taktsemakhang.
The Gasa district administration advised people not to travel towards Laya until further notice. An inspection team found that landslides were still active and advised downstream communities to remain alert without panicking.
Meanwhile, the administrations of Alipurduar and Dhubri, along with the Central Water Commission, are monitoring the situation closely.