Archive · 6 Aug 2026
Assam government debunks claims Bhutan dam release caused floods
People in the state of Assam, in India, were worried because of heavy floods.
Some messages on social media said the floods happened because a country called Bhutan opened big water gates on a dam.
The Assam government said this was not true.
A top official named Ravi Kota explained that the messages were false.
The government in Bhutan also said it did not release any extra water.
A small water-cleaning activity did happen at a power plant on July 21, but it was planned and safe.
The real reason for the high water was a lot of rain falling in the hills upstream.
Both governments are talking to each other and sharing information about weather and water levels.
They asked people to trust official news instead of rumors on social media.
Many people are still affected by the floods, and officials are watching the situation closely.
The Assam government dismissed viral social media claims that opening dam gates in Bhutan caused the state's worsening floods.
Chief Secretary Ravi Kota said the 'Bhutan River: 3 Gates Opened' advisory had no factual basis and was contradicted by Bhutan's Hydrology Department.
Authorities attributed the rise in river discharge to heavy rainfall in upstream catchment areas, not to emergency or unannounced dam releases.
Bhutan informed Assam that the Kurichhu Hydropower Plant carried out a scheduled reservoir-flushing exercise on July 21 as routine maintenance.
Officials said no emergency discharge is currently underway, coordination continues, and Assam still battles floods affecting thousands across several districts.
- Who
- Assam Chief Secretary Ravi Kota and the Assam government, alongside Bhutanese authorities including Bhutan's Hydrology Department.
- What
- Viral social media claims that opening Bhutan dam gates caused Assam's floods were debunked as baseless; rising river levels were attributed to heavy rainfall.
- When
- The official clarification was issued on Thursday, following a scheduled reservoir-flushing exercise at Kurichhu on July 21.
- Where
- Guwahati, Assam, India, with reference to dam operations in Bhutan.
- Why
- To correct false rumors and reassure the public that flooding was caused by heavy rainfall in upstream catchment areas, not by Bhutan's dam operations.
- State
- Assam, India
- Debunked claim
- "Bhutan River: 3 Gates Opened"
- Official statement
- Chief Secretary Ravi Kota called the claim baseless and factually incorrect
- Reported cause of flooding
- Heavy rainfall in upstream catchment areas
- Facility involved
- Kurichhu Hydropower Plant, Bhutan
- Scheduled reservoir flushing
- July 21, routine maintenance under established procedures
- Emergency discharge
- None presently underway, per Bhutanese authorities
- Coordination
- Real-time exchanges between Assam and Bhutan flood control authorities