Guwahati, August 7: The Assam Government has rejected claims circulating on social media that the recent rise in river water levels across the state was triggered by the opening of dam gates in Bhutan. Officials have described the widely shared message as false and urged residents to rely only on verified information issued by government agencies.
The clarification was released through the Office of the Chief Secretary after a viral advisory titled “Bhutan River: 3 Gates Opened” gained traction online. The message claimed that flood conditions in Assam had worsened due to the release of water from dams in Bhutan, creating unnecessary panic among the public.
Authorities in Bhutan have categorically denied the claim, stating that no emergency discharge of water has taken place from any of the country’s hydropower reservoirs. According to Bhutan’s Department of Hydrology, the increase in river levels is the result of heavy rainfall in upstream catchment areas, which has naturally raised the volume of water flowing downstream into Assam.
Officials also clarified that the Kurichhu Hydropower Plant had conducted a scheduled reservoir-flushing exercise on July 21 as part of routine maintenance. The operation was planned in advance and was unrelated to the current flood situation. They emphasized that there have been no unexpected releases of water from the reservoir in recent days.
The Bhutanese government further noted that all major dam-related activities are carried out under established operating procedures, with advance notifications issued to downstream authorities whenever necessary. Flood management agencies in Assam and Bhutan remain in close coordination, regularly exchanging real-time information on rainfall patterns, river levels and other hydrological developments.
The Assam Government has appealed to citizens not to forward or believe unverified messages that may create confusion during the ongoing flood season. Residents have been advised to depend on official updates issued by government departments and disaster management authorities for accurate information regarding weather and flood conditions.
Officials reiterated that misinformation during emergencies can cause unnecessary fear and hamper relief and response efforts. They urged the public to verify information before sharing it and cooperate with authorities by following only authentic advisories.
