NEW DELHI: A glacial lake outburst in Bhutan triggered a flash flood that washed away infrastructure at the Gasa Tshachu natural hot springs, while authorities in neighbouring West Bengal sounded an alert in low-lying areas along the Sankosh river amid fears of rising water levels.No injuries or loss of life have been reported in Bhutan, state broadcaster Bhutan Broadcasting Service (BBS) said on Friday. The late-night flood damaged infrastructure at the popular tourist destination in the country’s Gasa district, although the full extent of the destruction remained unclear.BBS reported that the assessment of damage was hampered by “darkness and the strong flow” of floodwaters. Two Bailey bridges, which are constructed using portable, prefabricated sections, may also have been washed away.According to Bhutan’s national newspaper Kuensel, parts of the road leading to Laya village, where the hot springs are located, were washed away, making the route impassable. The road has been closed to traffic indefinitely.The area was evacuated before the floodwaters reached the hot springs, Kuensel reported.
Alert in West Bengal
In neighbouring West Bengal, forest minister Manoj Oraon alerted residents living along the Sankosh river in Alipurduar district’s Kumargram area late Thursday, warning of possible flash floods following the outburst of Shintaphu Lake in Bhutan’s Gasa district.Oraon urged residents of Kumargram tea estate, Kumargram forest village, Pakriguri and Bholka to remain alert to rising water levels in the river and take necessary precautions.The lake lies in the upper reaches of the Mo Chhu river basin, which forms part of the Sankosh river system downstream. Local authorities have begun shifting people from vulnerable areas to safer locations. An assessment of possible livestock losses was expected to be carried out on Friday.Shintaphu Lake, located below Wakila Mountain in Lungo, Laya Gewog, is among 17 glacial lakes in Bhutan identified as potentially dangerous, according to local reports.
Previous flooding at Gasa Tshachu
Gasa Tshachu, a popular natural hot spring in northern Bhutan, was also hit by a flash flood in 2021 when the Mochhu river changed course and swept through the area.
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Bhutan, a Himalayan kingdom situated between India and China, has several glacial lakes that pose potential risks to downstream communities because of sudden water releases.The latest incident comes amid growing concerns over glacial lake outburst floods in the Himalayan region. In August, a flash flood near Nepal’s border with China killed more than 1,500 people and left over 5,000 missing, according to the report.
