Severe floods hit Bhutan, glacial lake outburst suspected; high alert in six Indian districts

Severe floods that hit Bhutan on Thursday night caused major damage in Gasa and Punakha districts. After the floods damaged roads, irrigation systems and other infrastructure, officials suspect a glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF).

The floods completely swept away the Chachu area of Gasa district. The Mo Chhu river also saw flooding.

According to Thahakhabar, the flood occurred after a sudden large release of water from Bhutan's Shintaphu glacial lake, which washed away a section of the main road. With the road blocked, the remote Laya region has lost road connectivity with the rest of Bhutan.

As the risk of flooding from a glacial lake outburst increased, high alert has been put in place in six districts of India's Assam and West Bengal.