Bhutan lake outburst triggers mass evacuation in West Bengal's Alipurduar; 10,000 relocated

An unexpected glacial lake burst in Bhutan has sent warnings of floods everywhere in the northern parts of the West Bengal state, leading to the evacuation of over 10,000 people from dangerous areas in the Alipurduar district by an emergency task force.

The local administration initiated massive relief operations on Thursday, organizing temporary shelters for the victims and putting the disaster management teams on high alert on the banks of the Sankosh River.

Rapid relief operations and red alert issuance

Superintendent of Police in Alipurduar Amit Kumar Shah advised everyone to stay calm but assured that the multi-agency teams are monitoring water currents in collaboration with the Bhutanese officials.

Mass evacuation: The local authority relocated approximately 4,000 to 5,000 people directly to the relief camps and over 6,000 people to safe areas at high elevation.

Emergency operations: State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and Civil Defense personnel were deployed immediately, while the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has been dispatched to support the operation.

River risks: A red alert was issued for the Sankosh River because of the expected surges of water bodies carrying trees, concrete blocks, and dead fishes downstream.

18 relief camps established in Kumargram

The district administration opened 18 emergency relief facilities in primary schools, community halls, and tea estate buildings to accommodate displaced families.

Key relief locations: The Sankosh Nepali Line Community Hall housed roughly 600 people, while Uttar Haldibari Junior High School sheltered 800 evacuees.

High-capacity centers: Kumargram Tea Garden Factory sheltered nearly 900 residents, and Majherdabri High School accommodated 850 people.

Essential supplies: District teams distributed dry rations, drinking water, and sanitation facilities across all operational shelters.

Flood waters recede safely with zero Indian casualties

Latest updates from local authorities confirm that the flash flood waters have subsided without causing loss of life or severe infrastructure damage on the Indian side of the border.

As water levels along the Sankosh River normalize, the Alipurduar district administration has initiated the process of safely transitioning residents out of relief camps back to their homes.

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