Bhutan glacial flood triggers evacuations along India’s Sankosh River

Map shows Glacial lakes in Bhutan. Image used for representational purposes only. Photo: Special Arrangements A flood caused by the Shintaphu glacial ​lake bursting its banks has washed away infrastructure ‌at the Gasa Tshachu natural ​hot springs in the Himalayan ⁠kingdom of Bhutan, media reports said on Friday (October 30, 2026).Also Read: Melting Himalayan glaciers endanger all of South AsiaNo injuries or loss of life have ‌been reported, state broadcaster BBS said.The hot springs at Gasa Tshachu ‌are a major tourist attraction in ‌the ⁠northern part of the ⁠country that is nestled between India and China.BBS reported that the extent of damage from the late ​night flash flood was ‌not known because of “darkness and the strong flow” of floodwaters. Two Bailey bridges — bridges built in portable, pre-fabricated sections — ‌may have been washed away, ​the broadcaster reported.A glacier lake outburst flood (GLOF) which has originated from the Sintaphu lake at Mochu subbasin Gasa has been reported. The NCHM is currently monitoring the water level along the Mochu river at Tashithang. India has been informed. https://t.co/ArS7S73wd2— The Bhutanese (@thebhutanese) October 29, 2026Gasa Tshachu was also hit by a flash flood ⁠in 2021, when the Mochhu River changed course and swept through the area.Kuensel, ‌Bhutan’s national newspaper, said part of the road to Laya village, where the springs are located, had been washed away, making it impassable. The road has been closed for ‌traffic indefinitely, the newspaper said.The area had been ​evacuated before the flood reached the area, Kuensel reported.In neighbouring Nepal, in ⁠a similar mountainous area about 600 km (370 ⁠miles) to the west, a flash flood on its border ‌with China in August killed more than 1,500 people and left more ​than 5,000 missing.VIDEO | West Bengal: State authorities have issued high-alert and evacuation warnings for residents living along the Sankosh River following a Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) in neighboring Bhutan. State Forest and Environment Minister Manoj Kumar Oraon said, "Anyone who can is urged to immediately warn others in the affected areas. Special alerts are directed at the forest villages and hamlets bordering the Sankosh River, including the upper Sankosh forest village, the NKC Sankosh Tea Garden, Kumargram CD block, Chengmari, Valka Barabisa, Jharaguri and Pakriguri. If you reside along the banks of the Sankosh River in these vast stretches, please inform everyone around you as quickly as possible. A dam in Bhutan has breached. The floodwaters are expected to surge downstream within the next 1 to 1.5 hours. Please pass the word along without delay and evacuate people from these adjacent low-lying areas to safer ground, as the situation could turn critical. We must act quickly to prevent a disastrous situation like the one seen in Nepal." (Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/bIyFWTfmBd)— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 29, 2026West Bengal have issued high-alert and evacuation warnings for residents living along the Sankosh RiverState Forest and Environment Minister Manoj Kumar Oraon said, “Anyone who can is urged to immediately warn others in the affected areas. Special alerts are directed at the forest villages and hamlets bordering the Sankosh River, including the upper Sankosh forest village, the NKC Sankosh Tea Garden, Kumargram CD block, Chengmari, Valka Barabisa, Jharaguri and Pakriguri. If you reside along the banks of the Sankosh River in these vast stretches, please inform everyone around you as quickly as possible.“A dam in Bhutan has breached. The floodwaters are expected to surge downstream within the next 1 to 1.5 hours. Please pass the word along without delay and evacuate people from these adjacent low-lying areas to safer ground, as the situation could turn critical. We must act quickly to prevent a disastrous situation like the one seen in Nepal.” Mr. Oraon said. Published - October 30, 2026 09:26 am IST