Another major natural disaster has struck the Himalayan region, coming close on the heels of the flash floods in Nepal. The Shintaphu glacial lake in Bhutan’s Gasa district, in the north-west of the country, burst and overflowed, unleashing sudden and intense floods in the Mo Chhu river basin. With several Indian states near the Bhutan border facing a flood threat, the Central and state governments have declared high alert.
The overflowing Mo Chhu is rushing towards the downstream areas. Hot spring facilities and other structures at Gasa Tshachu, a popular tourist spot in the river basin, were completely washed away in the fierce current. However, advance warnings were issued and people in the area were moved to safe locations immediately, so no lives were lost.
Shintaphu is among the 17 glacial lakes identified as the most dangerous in the Himalayan ranges. Located at the very source of the Mo Chhu, its outburst is sending floodwater past the Sri Gang area and rapidly downstream. In 2021 too, the Mo Chhu had changed its natural course, severely damaging many tourist facilities at Gasa Tshachu.
Bhutan’s administration has alerted the Indian border states of West Bengal and Assam in advance. Warnings have been issued of flash flood risk in Assam’s Dhubri district and in West Bengal’s Darjeeling hills, Alipurduar and Jalpaiguri districts.
The Cooch Behar district administration has also asked people in the Sankosh river basin to remain alert. Disaster management teams are ready for relief operations in both states.