Bhutan on Sunday formally alerted the West Bengal government to prepare for possible impact after the Tala hydropower dam in the neighbouring country started overflowing due to a technical glitch.
This has raised fears of downstream flooding in the Dooars region of West Bengal, putting authorities in the northern part of the state on high alert.
The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) said its team based in Alipurduar has been put on the “highest alert”. All personnel on leave have been recalled, while an additional rescue team of 15 from RRC Siliguri is being deployed to reinforce ground response.
This comes as 14 people were killed in multiple landslides triggered by incessant heavy rainfall across the Mirik and Darjeeling hills. The NDRF
has already mobilised three teams from Darjeeling, Siliguri, and Alipurduar, while two more teams, one each from Malda and Kolkata, are en route to the affected sites.
“Our personnel are engaged in intensive rescue and relief operations to locate missing persons and assist the stranded villagers,” NDRF DIG Mohsen Shahedi told ANI.
Continuous heavy rainfall since last night has caused large-scale destruction in parts of the Darjeeling district, particularly in Mirik and Sukhia Pokhari areas, where roads and houses have been washed away.
WHAT HAS HAPPENED IN BHUTAN?
According to Bhutan’s National Centre for Hydrology and Meteorology (NCHM), the Druk Green Power Corporation (DGPC) reported a malfunction in the gates of Tala dam, which failed to open resulting in river water spilling over the structure.
Weather reports said a storm system that originated over eastern Uttar Pradesh has moved eastward and is now approaching Madarihat in the Dooars. If heavy rainfall occurs in Bhutan’s hills, rivers in North Bengal are expected to swell rapidly increasing the threat of flash floods.
The NCHM said its flood warning group will continue to coordinate with the DGPC for real-time monitoring of the dam situation. District administrations across North Bengal have been advised to maintain maximum readiness, particularly in riverine and low-lying areas. Officials have also been urged to coordinate with Bhutanese authorities for updated hydrological data to mitigate potential impacts.
INDIAN ARMY CARRIES OUT FLOOD RESCUE OPS IN BHUTAN
The Indian Army on Sunday helped Bhutanese authorities to evacuate people after a sudden flood hit the vicinity of Amochu River in the neighbouring country.
An official notification from the Royal Government of Bhutan said the flood left several families and workers stranded in temporary housing and workforce camps. Urgent help was sought from India after a helicopter of Drukair – Bhutan’s national airline – was unable to take off due to inclement weather.
The notification said the Indian Army deployed two helicopters to airlift the stranded workers to safety and ensure that they receive immediate medical care. The government expressed gratitude for the timely and life-saving assistance.
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