Flood warning issued in West Bengal and Assam as lake bursts in Bhutan

A flood warning has been issued in parts of West Bengal and Assam in India following reports of a breach in Bhutan's Shintafu lake. The incident occurred on Thursday evening at the Shintafu lake located beneath the Wakila mountain in Lungo (Laya Gewog) of Gasa district in Bhutan. This lake is one of the 17 lakes in Bhutan considered to be potentially dangerous.

According to a TV9 Gujarati report, the Shintafu lake is situated in the basin of Bhutan's Punatsangchu river, which is known as the Sankosh river after entering India. Due to the bursting of this lake, there could be a sudden and significant increase in the water level of the Sankosh river. The Government of India has issued an advisory for Alipurduar and Jalpaiguri districts, Darjeeling hills of West Bengal, as well as Dhubri district of Assam.

According to the noted fact, a Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) causes a rapid surge of water to flow through mountain valleys, which can damage settlements, roads, bridges, and agricultural land. West Bengal Forest Minister Manoj Tigga has warned residents near the Sankosh river to remain cautious. People in the Kumarghat area have been advised to stay alert against the possibility of rising water levels.

Local authorities have sounded sirens to warn people living along the riverbanks and have begun relocating residents from affected areas to safe locations. The assessment of potential livestock losses is also likely to be carried out soon.

An official of the National Center for Hydrology and Meteorology (NCHM) stated that despite having a water level monitoring station at Taktseimakhang, no warning was issued when the initial reports came in. The extent of the lake burst and its impact on low-lying areas are not yet clear.