Glacial lake outburst in Bhutan; 5 districts in Assam and Bengal on flood alert

A glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) in Bhutan has damaged a solar-powered irrigation project and blocked a section of a highway with debris. There have been no reports of casualties in the country so far.The flash flood has also raised concerns in India, prompting authorities to issue flood alerts in parts of West Bengal and Assam over a possible surge in the Sankosh River. The Solar Irrigation Lifting System in Dochhukha-Dzomlingthang-Ritsa Chiwog, under Guma Gewog in Punakha, was partially damaged by the flash flood. The system has stopped functioning, although the full extent of the damage is yet to be assessed. According to a local leader, the irrigation system was installed earlier this year to address water supply problems faced by residents of the chiwog.The flash flood also swept debris onto a section of the Punakha-Gasa Highway in the Dzomlingthang area.