TL;DR : On October 5, 2025, the Indian Army rescued workers stranded by flash floods near Bhutan’s Amochu River after Bhutan's own helicopter was grounded due to bad weather. Bhutan later warned West Bengal of flood risks from an overflowing hydropower dam. The rescue and alerts were part of a larger weather emergency in the eastern Himalayas.
🔹 What Happened – Indian Army Rescue Operation in Bhutan
- Flash Flood Hits Bhutan:
Sudden flooding on October 5 along the Amochu River in Samdrup Jongkhar district, Bhutan, trapped 20–30 people at a workforce camp near Phuentsholing.
- Bhutan’s Helicopter Grounded:
Bhutan’s Druk Air helicopter could not take off due to poor weather. Bhutan then requested emergency assistance from India.
- Indian Army Responds Swiftly:
The Indian Army deployed two helicopters, which arrived around 12:55 p.m. local time. All stranded individuals were airlifted to safety, and medical care was provided. Two initially missing persons were later found safe.
- Official Thanks from Bhutan:
Bhutan’s government expressed “profound gratitude” to the Indian Army for its “swift and life-saving intervention,” also thanking the Royal Bhutan Army and Druk Air teams.
🔸 Bhutan’s Dam Overflow Triggers Flood Warning to West Bengal
- Tala Dam Overflow:
Heavy rains caused a malfunction at Bhutan’s Tala Hydropower Dam on the Wangchu (Raidak) River. Dam gates failed to open, raising flood risks for downstream areas in India.
- Warning to West Bengal:
Bhutan’s hydrology agency formally alerted West Bengal’s government of potential flash floods, especially in Jalpaiguri and Cooch Behar districts.
- India’s Emergency Response:
West Bengal placed districts on high alert. NDRF deployed 15 additional rescuers and recalled personnel from leave. No major flooding was reported by evening, but monitoring continues.
🔹 Regional Weather Impact
- Broader Disruptions:
The same weather system caused landslides in Darjeeling, killing at least 17 people, and cut off parts of Sikkim. Bhutan reported power outages and blocked roads in its southern regions.
- Bilateral Coordination:
The rescue and alerts reflect strong India-Bhutan ties in disaster response, supported by longstanding military and emergency cooperation.