Panic Grips Assam-Bengal Border as Bhutan Glacial Lake Outburst Triggers Alert

KOKRAJHAR/KUMARGRAM: Anxiety gripped residents along the inter-state border of Assam and West Bengal on Thursday evening after reports surfaced regarding a sudden discharge of water from the Shintaphu Lake in neighbouring Bhutan. The incident, identified as a glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF), prompted immediate concerns about a potential surge in the Sankosh River, which flows through the region.

The alarm led to widespread panic in several low-lying villages, including Surendrapur, Khokchaguri, Ghaksa, Jaraguri, Borogopa, and Bagmara Tapu. Anticipating a repeat of past flood disasters, many residents in the Kumargram area of West Bengal evacuated their homes and sought refuge in higher-altitude locations, fearing that the rising river waters might breach their banks and inundate residential zones.

Officials Assure Residents of Safety

By Friday morning, local authorities launched an extensive field assessment to evaluate the structural integrity of the river embankments and monitor water levels. Kokrajhar District Commissioner Pankaj Chakravarty, accompanied by former MLA Jiron Basumatary, led a team to inspect the areas adjacent to the Sankosh River.

Addressing the media following the inspection, Commissioner Chakravarty sought to dispel fears of an immediate catastrophe. “While a significant rise in water volume was detected following the glacial event in Bhutan on Thursday evening, we have found that the vulnerable stretches within the Assam jurisdiction remain stable,” the Commissioner stated. He confirmed that although the river has witnessed a marginal increase in its water level, there has been no reported flooding, waterlogging, or damage to properties in the district.

“We are monitoring the situation continuously, and at this stage, we do not anticipate any major threat to the residents living along the riverbanks,” he added.

A History of Vulnerability

The Shintaphu Lake, situated at the source of the Mo Chhu River, is designated as one of Bhutan’s 17 highly sensitive glacial lakes. These high-altitude water bodies are increasingly under scrutiny by environmentalists and regional authorities due to the accelerated melting of Himalayan glaciers, which makes them prone to sudden outbursts when natural dams are breached.

The region is no stranger to the volatile nature of these river systems. On August 26, 2021, a devastating flash flood originating from a similar event swept through the Gasa Tshachu hot spring area. In that instance, the swollen Mo Chhu River dramatically shifted its course, causing significant destruction to the popular thermal site.

While local authorities remain vigilant, they have urged the public to remain calm and rely on official updates from the district administration rather than unverified reports circulating on social media. The situation along the Sankosh River is expected to be closely watched over the coming days as the authorities ensure that the increased water discharge passes through the channel without causing downstream devastation.

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