Assam's Dhubri put on alert after glacial lake outburst in Bhutan

Authorities in Assam’s Dhubri district have sounded an alert after a reported glacial lake outburst flood in Bhutan raised concerns of a sudden rise in the water level of the Sankosh river.

The Central Water Commission (CWC) issued a special advisory on Thursday following reports of a glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) at Shintaphu Lake in Bhutan’s Gasa district. It warned that floodwater moving downstream through the Punatsangchhu river system, known as the Sankosh in India, could reach the India-Bhutan border within six to eight hours.

“The flood water will travel downstream and will reach the border in 6-8 hrs and is likely to impact the district of Alipurduar in West Bengal and Dubri in Assam,” the advisory stated.

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Residents fear sudden flooding

The advisory has caused concern among people living in riverbank areas of Dhubri, including Surendrapur and Khoksaguri. Residents said they feared that water levels could rise suddenly at night, leaving them with little time to move their families, homes and farmland to safety.

Many residents gathered near the river on Friday to monitor the situation. Officials said water released after the lake outburst flowed through the Mo Chhu river and moved downstream towards the Sankosh.

The Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) said the water level of the Sankosh river was stable until 6.30 am on Friday. However, district administrations and disaster-relief teams have been kept on alert.

Assam government steps up monitoring

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the state government was closely monitoring the possible impact of the Bhutan GLOF, particularly in vulnerable areas of Dhubri and Kokrajhar districts.

The Chief Minister’s Office said the Dhubri district administration was present on the ground and prepared to deal with any situation. Authorities have urged people living near the river to remain alert, avoid unnecessary movement towards the riverbank and follow instructions issued by the local administration and police.

What is a GLOF?

A glacial lake outburst flood occurs when water held back by a glacier or a natural barrier is suddenly released, sending a large volume of water downstream. Such events can trigger flash floods in mountain areas and raise water levels in rivers far below.

The reported outburst at Shintaphu Lake has prompted flood warnings in parts of Assam and West Bengal, with authorities in both states taking precautionary measures along the Sankosh river system.

What happens next?

District officials in Dhubri and Kokrajhar are keeping a close watch on the river’s behaviour, while disaster-response teams remain ready for evacuation and relief work if required. Residents have been advised not to panic but to remain prepared and follow official advisories.

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