Following the bursting of a glacial lake in Bhutan's Gasa district, the threat of floods is looming over India's northeastern states. The central government has issued a special advisory for low-lying areas in West Bengal and Assam, warning that the water level of the Sankosh River originating from Bhutan could rise suddenly and rapidly.

Where Did the Lake Burst?

According to reports, on Thursday evening, the Shintafu glacier lake located beneath the Wakila mountain in Lunana, Gasa district of Bhutan, suddenly burst. Recognizing the danger, sirens were sounded along the riverbanks in Bhutan to alert residents, who were then safely evacuated. The Shintafu lake is among Bhutan's 17 most potentially dangerous glacial lakes.

Why Is There a Threat to India?

The Shintafu lake lies within Bhutan's Punatsangchu river basin.

Upon crossing the border and entering India, this river is known as the Sankosh River.

According to the Indian advisory, a massive gush of water could reach the Indo-Bhutan border within 6 to 8 hours.

A sudden surge in water levels poses the danger of washing away settlements, farmlands, livestock, bridges, and roads in low-lying areas.

Where Is the High Alert?

Assam: Dhubri district

North Bengal: Darjeeling, Alipurduar, Jalpaiguri, and Cooch Behar

Appeal to Evacuate the Area

West Bengal Forest Minister Manoj Kumar Oraon issued a video message on Facebook, appealing to residents living along the Sankosh River to immediately vacate their homes and move to safe locations. He warned that a torrential flow of water could reach near Kumargram within the next one to one-and-a-half hours.

BJP MP Raju Bishta wrote on X that the lake water is moving towards the Sankosh River via the Mofu River, urging people living in the catchment areas of the river and its tributaries to immediately move to safe places to save their lives.

NDRF and SDRF on High Alert

NDRF and SDRF teams have been deployed near the Assam border in Tufanganj and Baxirhat of Cooch Behar.

Announcements are being made using loudspeakers in villages along the riverbanks so residents can relocate to higher ground in time.

Officials from the hills of Darjeeling up to Alipurduar, Jalpaiguri, and Dhubri are maintaining 24-hour surveillance.