KOLKATA: A glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) from Shintaphu Lake in Bhutan’s northwestern Gasa district has triggered flash-flood warnings in parts of India’s West Bengal and Assam.
The flood occurred on Thursday evening, washing away infrastructure and facilities at Gasa Tshachu, a popular natural hot spring situated along the Mo Chhu River in Gasa. No casualties have been reported, as the area had been evacuated before the flooding.
Shintaphu Lake, located at the headwaters of the Mo Chhu River, is among Bhutan’s 17 glacial lakes identified as potentially dangerous. Gasa Tshachu was previously destroyed by a major flash flood on August 26, 2021, when the swollen Mo Chhu changed its course towards the hot spring.
Floodwaters have reportedly reached Srigang in Kabesa Gewog, around eight kilometres from Punakha Dzong. Bhutan has alerted authorities in West Bengal and Assam as several areas downstream face potential flooding.
In Assam, Dhubri district is among the areas at risk, while in West Bengal, the Darjeeling hills, Alipurduar and Jalpaiguri have been placed under alert. Authorities in Cooch Behar have also cautioned residents living along the Sankosh River to remain vigilant.
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