The Dhubri flood alert has been intensified after a glacial lake outburst in Bhutan raised concerns about a sudden rise in the Sankosh River. Assam authorities are closely monitoring the situation as floodwaters move downstream towards vulnerable areas along the international border.
The Central Water Commission (CWC) has warned that the incident could affect Dhubri district in Assam and Alipurduar district in neighbouring West Bengal. Meanwhile, the state government has alerted disaster response agencies and urged residents to follow official instructions.
Dhubri flood alert follows Bhutan glacial lake outburst
The situation developed after a Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) was reported at Shintaphu Lake in Bhutan’s Gasa district. The incident triggered a sudden discharge of water into the river system, raising concerns about downstream flooding.
The CWC issued a special advisory on October 29 after receiving information about flash flooding in the upper reaches of the Punatsangchhu River. The river is known as the Sankosh after it enters India.
According to the advisory, floodwaters could reach the India-Bhutan border within six to eight hours. Consequently, authorities identified Dhubri in Assam and Alipurduar in West Bengal as areas requiring close attention.
The warning prompted officials to strengthen monitoring arrangements along the river. However, the actual impact would depend on the movement and volume of water reaching downstream locations.
Assam government steps up Dhubri flood alert
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the Assam government was closely monitoring the possible effects across vulnerable revenue circles in Dhubri and Kokrajhar districts. He added that state teams remained in contact with the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and other agencies.
He asked residents to remain alert, follow official advisories and cooperate with local authorities. The Chief Minister’s Office said the Dhubri administration was prepared to handle downstream effects.
Meanwhile, disaster response personnel have been kept ready for deployment if the situation worsens. The NDRF and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) are among the agencies on standby.
Sankosh River levels remain under close watch
The Sankosh River is central to the current concern because it carries the downstream flow from the affected Bhutanese river system. A sudden increase could affect low-lying areas and communities living close to its banks.
An Assam State Disaster Management Authority spokesperson said the Sankosh water level remained steady at 6.30 am on Friday. Authorities had not reported an immediate rise in river levels across the state at that time.
Separately, Kokrajhar district commissioner Pankaj Chakravarty told The Indian Express that water appeared to be receding during his visit to the Sankosh riverbank. He said officials did not anticipate inundation in vulnerable areas at that point, while NDRF and SDRF teams remained ready.
What a glacial lake outburst means
A GLOF occurs when water stored in a glacial lake is suddenly released. Such events can send large volumes of water downstream and create flash-flood risks in communities far from the original lake.
The Bhutan incident also prompted alerts in parts of West Bengal, including Alipurduar and Cooch Behar. Authorities there began precautionary measures, and residents in vulnerable locations were moved to safer areas.
Reports from Bhutan also indicated damage to roads and other infrastructure following the sudden flood. However, no deaths or injuries were reported in the initial updates from the affected area.
Dhubri flood alert depends on continued monitoring
For Assam, the immediate priority remains tracking the Sankosh River and ensuring that response teams can act quickly if water levels rise. The CWC has advised authorities in the affected districts to monitor the river closely and take necessary precautions.
Residents in riverside and low-lying areas should avoid approaching swollen channels and follow directions from district officials.
Although the initial warning raised concern about a sudden surge, officials reported stable conditions in parts of Assam during Friday’s updates. The Dhubri flood alert remains important as authorities continue to assess the downstream impact. Timely information and public cooperation will be essential to protect lives and limit damage if conditions change.
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