Sankar Ghosh Says Alipurduar Safe After Bhutan Glacial Lake Burst

West Bengal Tourism Minister Sankar Ghosh on Friday said there had been no devastating impact in Alipurduar district so far following the reported Bhutan glacial lake burst, while assuring that the administration remained on alert.

Speaking in Siliguri, Ghosh said he had spoken to MLAs from the district and that officials were closely monitoring developments.

‘Situation Is Fine in Alipurduar’

Ghosh said:

“As of now, there is no devastating effect on the whole Alipurduar district. The situation is fine there. I have spoken to the MLAs there. The administration is on alert.”

His comments came after a glacial lake outburst flood was reported at Shintaphu Lake in Bhutan’s Gasa district, prompting alerts for downstream areas of West Bengal and Assam.

North Bengal Put on Alert

Authorities in North Bengal have been closely monitoring areas along the Sankosh River, particularly Kumargram and other parts of Alipurduar district.

The Central Water Commission issued an advisory warning that the outburst could cause a sudden rise in downstream water levels.

Precautionary evacuations were also reported from vulnerable riverbank areas as district officials prepared for possible flooding.

Bhutan Flood Damages Infrastructure

The outburst originated at Shintaphu Lake, one of Bhutan’s potentially dangerous glacial lakes.

In Bhutan, the resulting flash flood damaged infrastructure around Gasa Tshachu, including roads and bridges, though no deaths or injuries had been reported at the time of the latest updates.

Authorities Continue Monitoring Water Levels

West Bengal officials have said police, district administration, disaster-response teams and other agencies remain prepared to respond if river levels rise sharply.

Ghosh’s statement sought to reassure residents while emphasising that monitoring and precautionary measures would continue.

The Bhutan glacial lake burst has raised concerns across parts of North Bengal because water from the Mo Chhu-Punatsangchhu river system flows downstream towards the Sankosh basin in India.