Bhutan Glacial Lake Outburst: North Bengal on High Alert as Thousands Evacuate
Thousands relocated in North Bengal as a glacial lake outburst flood in Bhutan sends water rushing toward the Sankosh River.
A sudden glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) at Lemthang in Bhutan has triggered a state of high alert across North Bengal. Massive volumes of water from the breached lake are currently cascading downstream through the Mo Chhu River, heading directly toward the Sankosh River, posing a significant threat to the plains of India.
Emergency Evacuations and High Alerts
Authorities have acted swiftly to prevent loss of life, urging residents living along the Sankosh River and its various tributaries to evacuate immediately. The warning extends beyond the immediate riverbanks, with people in the Darjeeling hills, Terai, and Dooars regions also advised to remain vigilant.
BJP MP from Darjeeling, Raju Bista, took to X (formerly Twitter) to warn the public about the developing crisis. He highlighted that the overflow from Lemthang is moving rapidly through the Mo Chhu River toward the Sankosh, emphasizing that those in catchment areas must move to safe distances to protect themselves.
Race Against Time: Water Heading for the Plains
The urgency of the situation was underscored by State Minister Nisith Pramanik, who noted that the surge of water was expected to reach the plains within a window of five to six hours. This tight timeframe has raised serious concerns regarding the potential for significant flooding in the region.
To combat the looming threat, the government has implemented the following measures:
- State Disaster Management Team: Fully activated to coordinate response efforts.
- NDRF Deployment: The National Disaster Response Force has been notified and teams are moving into position.
- Volunteer Mobilization: Disaster management volunteers have been ordered to be present on-site for immediate assistance.
Ground Reality in Alipurduar
In Alipurduar, the administration is working to manage public anxiety while executing evacuation plans. Superintendent of Police Amit Kumar Shaw has appealed to the public not to panic, asserting that the situation is currently under control and being monitored closely.
The SP confirmed that the district administration—including the District Magistrate (DM) and Block Development Officers (BDO)—is in constant communication with Bhutanese authorities and various stakeholders. To bolster the response, the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) is already on the ground, and a Civil Defence team has been deployed.
The scale of the precautionary effort is evident, with approximately 4,000 to 5,000 people already relocated from vulnerable zones to safer locations as the region waits to see the impact of the surge.
What is a Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF)?
Also known as a jökulhlaup, a GLOF is a catastrophic event that occurs when a natural dam—often made of ice or loose rock (moraine)—that holds back a glacial lake fails or is breached. This results in the sudden release of an immense volume of water, which can create devastating flash floods downstream, destroying infrastructure and endangering lives.