Guwahati: Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Friday that the state was closely monitoring the possible impact of a glacial lake outburst in Bhutan across all vulnerable revenue circles of Dhubri and Kokrajhar districts.“Our teams are also in constant contact with the NDRF and other agencies, and are ready to respond if needed. Residents are requested to stay alert, follow official updates and cooperate with local officials,” he said.The flood has been moving down Bhutan’s Mo Chhu river towards the Sankosh, and West Bengal has issued a high alert across North Bengal. The Central Water Commission has issued a flood advisory for Assam and West Bengal.According to Bhutan’s national daily Kuensel, a glacial lake outburst flood from Shintaphu Tsho in Laya, northern Bhutan on the Friday night sent floodwaters down the Mochhu river, damaging roads, bridges and public infrastructure in Gasa and Punakha. No casualties have been reported.The floodwaters washed away facilities at Gasa Tshachu, damaged sections of the Punakha-Gasa Secondary National Highway and the Gasa-Laya road, and swept away a Bailey bridge in Punakha built in 2022 with Indian support.A large artificial lake has since formed near Taktsemakhang, raising fears of another sudden outburst., the newspaper reported.Several rivers, large and small, flow from Bhutan into Assam and join the Brahmaputra. The principal ones include the Manas–Beki, Aie, Sankosh, Raidak, Gaurang, Pagladiya, Dhansiri (North), Puthimari, Saralbhanga, Gangadhar and Gadadhar.
