A glacial lake outburst at Shintaphu Lake in Bhutan released millions of cubic metres of water, prompting urgent flash flood warnings and the evacuation of over 10,000 people across low-lying areas of West Bengal and Assam while emergency response teams monitor rising river levels.

A glacial lake outburst at Shintaphu Lake in Bhutan released millions of cubic metres of water, prompting urgent flash flood warnings and the evacuation of over 10,000 people across low-lying areas of West Bengal and Assam while emergency response teams monitor rising river levels.

A glacial lake outburst at Shintaphu Lake in Bhutan released millions of cubic metres of water, prompting urgent flash flood warnings and the evacuation of over 10,000 people across low-lying areas of West Bengal and Assam while emergency response teams monitor rising river levels.

A glacial lake outburst at Shintaphu Lake in Bhutan's Gasa district has prompted flash flood warnings for parts of West Bengal and Assam. In the wake of the alerts, evacuations had begun in low-lying areas of Bengal and Assam. The outburst at Sintaphu Lake in Bhutan's Mochu sub-basin reportedly released approximately 7.4 million cubic metres of water.

The outburst, which occurred on Thursday night, has completely devastated the facilities at Gasa Tshachu, a popular natural hot spring located near the banks of the Mo Chhu River in the Gasa District. Gasa Tshachu is a major tourist attraction in the northern part of the country that is nestled between India and China.

So far, no injuries or loss of life have been reported in Bhutan.

The Indian government issued a special flood advisory warning that the surge in Bhutan's Punatsangchhu basin could cause a sudden rise in water levels in Alipurduar and Assam's Dhubri district.

More than 10,000 people were evacuated to safer locations in West Bengal’s Alipurduar district after a flood alert was issued. Authorities continue to monitor water levels in the Sankosh River, which flows from Bhutan into India, as schools were converted into temporary relief shelters.

Police Superintendent Amit Kumar Shaw confirmed that roughly 4,000 to 5,000 evacuees were staying in relief shelters, with another 6,000 moved to safer areas as water levels rose.

The advisory initially estimated that floodwaters could reach the India-Bhutan border within six to eight hours, prompting administrations along the Sankosh to begin precautionary evacuations.

According to the state broadcaster BBS, the extent of damage from the late-night flash flood was not known because of darkness and the strong flow of floodwaters.

West Bengal Forest Minister Manoj Kumar Oraon, the local MLA for Kumargram, urged villagers and tea garden workers living along the riverbank to evacuate immediately to higher ground.

The warnings were issued in Kumargram, Chengmari, Pakriguri, Bholka, forest settlements and other low-lying areas.

Officials said that relief centres had been established at schools and community buildings, with arrangements for drinking water, dry food and sanitation.

State Disaster Response Force personnel were deployed, while National Disaster Response Force teams were mobilised to assist the district administration.

The Central Water Commission was also monitoring river conditions at stations including Barobisha, Sankosh LRP, Golakganj and Baladoba.

Meanwhile, Bhutan's National Centre for Hydrology and Meteorology is monitoring water levels at Tashithang and Yebesa stations. Sirens have been activated along the Mochu River and downstream of Punatsangchhu to warn communities.

The Punatsangchhu II hydro plant halted generation and opened its spillway gates to flush out floodwaters and debris, safeguarding critical installations.

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