World · South & Central Asia · 2 hrs ago
Bhutan glacial lake flood prompts evacuations in West Bengal
A glacial lake outburst in Bhutan triggered a flash flood that sent water downstream through the Mo Chhu river towards the Sankosh River.
The flood damaged infrastructure at Gasa Tshachu hot springs in Bhutan’s Gasa district, but no injuries or deaths had been reported.
The area around the springs was evacuated before the flood arrived, and the road to nearby Laya village was closed after parts of it were washed away.
In neighbouring West Bengal, authorities raised alerts for communities along the Sankosh River and its tributaries, including parts of North Bengal.
More than 10,000 people were moved to shelters or safer locations as disaster response teams prepared for possible flooding.
The full extent of the damage in Bhutan and the flood’s downstream impact were not yet clear.
Authorities were monitoring the river and urging people in vulnerable areas to stay alert and move to safer ground.
A reported glacial lake outburst in Bhutan sent floodwater downstream toward the Sankosh River, prompting a high alert in parts of North Bengal.
Authorities monitored areas along the Sankosh and its tributaries, including Kumargram in Alipurduar district.
More than 10,000 people were moved to shelters and safer locations, according to the Times of India.
The flood damaged infrastructure at Gasa Tshachu natural hot springs in Bhutan, but no injuries or deaths were reported.
The outburst’s scale and potential impact downstream were not immediately known.
- Who
- Authorities in West Bengal and disaster response teams monitored the situation; residents in vulnerable areas were moved or advised to seek safety.
- What
- A reported glacial lake outburst in Bhutan sent floodwater downstream toward the Sankosh River.
- When
- Friday, October 30, 2026; the flood was reported late at night.
- Where
- The outburst was reported in Bhutan, with monitoring and alerts in parts of North Bengal along the Sankosh River.
- Why
- Authorities acted because the floodwater was moving toward populated areas and could cause flooding.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
BJP MP Raju Bista issued an alert urging people in the Sankosh catchment areas to move to safer locations.
Floodwater damaged infrastructure at the Gasa Tshachu natural hot springs in Bhutan.
Parts of the Dooars region were placed on alert, and West Bengal authorities monitored areas along the Sankosh River.
- Reported outburst location
- Bhutan
- Downstream river
- Sankosh River
- Monitoring area
- Kumargram, Alipurduar district
- People moved
- More than 10,000, according to the Times of India
- Reported injuries or deaths
- None reported
3 sources
What people are saying
Alert has been sounded in parts of Dooars, particularly near the Sankosh River.
First of all, I would like to tell the residents of the district that there is absolutely no need to panic. The situation is currently under control.