The late-night deluge swept through northern Bhutan, threatening two portable Bailey bridges and severing the main transport route to Laya village with an indefinite road closure. While state broadcaster BBS confirmed that no casualties or injuries have been reported, darkness and raging currents initially hampered full damage assessments. Authorities are actively monitoring a large artificial lake that developed after river channels merged following the lake breach. Residents along the Mochhu and Punatsangchhu rivers, along with populations in India's West Bengal and Assam states, remain on high alert.
Key points
Flash flooding from a burst glacial lake caused widespread infrastructure damage across n…: Flash flooding from a burst glacial lake caused widespread infrastructure damage across northern Bhutan without causing reported casualties.
Downstream regions in Bhutan and neighbouring Indian states remain on alert due to persis…: Downstream regions in Bhutan and neighbouring Indian states remain on alert due to persistent flood hazards and newly formed artificial lakes.
The disaster marks another major setback for the Gasa Tshachu tourist site, which previou…: The disaster marks another major setback for the Gasa Tshachu tourist site, which previously sustained heavy flood damage in 2021.
Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1
No injuries reported after glacial lake burst, causing a flash flood and disrupting Bhutan’s Gasa Tshachu hot springs.
A flood caused by the Shintaphu glacial lake bursting its banks has washed away infrastructure at the Gasa Tshachu natural hot springs in the Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan.
According to state broadcaster BBS on Friday, no injuries or loss of life had been reported from Thursday night’s flash flood.
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It added that the extent of the damage was unknown because of “darkness and the strong flow” of floodwaters.
Two Bailey bridges, which are bridges built in portable, prefabricated sections, may also have been washed away, BBS said.
According to Kuensel, Bhutan’s national newspaper, part of the road leading to the village of Laya, where the springs are located, had also been washed away,…
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