Guwahati: Western Assam has been placed on high alert following a glacial lake outburst in neighbouring Bhutan, with the Assam govt closely monitoring the Sankosh river. The river originates in Bhutan, where it is known as the Puna Tsang Chu, and flows through Kokrajhar and Dhubri districts in Assam before joining the Brahmaputra.However, the river was flowing below the danger level in both districts as of Friday afternoon, officials said.In an advisory issued on Thursday for West Bengal and Assam, the ministry of Jal Shakti said the water level in the Sankosh river could rise suddenly in Alipurduar in West Bengal and Dhubri in Assam because of flash floods in the upper reaches of the Puna Tsang Chu. The flash floods were caused by a glacial lake outburst in Shintaphu Lake, it said.The ministry warned that floodwaters could affect the two districts and advised local authorities to remain alert, closely monitor the situation and take necessary precautionary measures.CM Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Friday, “We are closely monitoring the possible impact of the glacial lake outburst in Bhutan across all vulnerable revenue circles of Dhubri and Kokrajhar. Our teams are also in constant contact with the NDRF and other agencies, and are ready to respond if needed.”The Sankosh enters Kokrajhar district first and then flows through Dhubri, where it is known as the Gangadhar, before merging with the Brahmaputra.The administrations of Kokrajhar and Dhubri have deployed NDRF and SDRF teams at various locations and alerted people living along the river.Kokrajhar DC Pankaj Chakravarty said, “A population of 4,750 have been identified as vulnerable across about 20 villages along the Sankosh river. However, the current situation is out of danger and there is nothing to be worried about.”He added, “The river is very wide and the winter season has almost begun. It therefore has sufficient carrying capacity. There is nothing to worry about. NDRF and SDRF teams are already in position.”Dhubri DC Dibakar Nath said the Sankosh flows through the district as the Gangadhar and that around 8,000 people were vulnerable.“However, it has been about 12 to 15 hours since the glacial outburst, but there has been no abnormal rise in the water level of the Gangadhar in the district. The water level is still more than 2 metres below the danger level and is showing a declining trend,” he said.Nath said precautionary measures, including the mobilisation of NDRF and SDRF teams, had been taken.
