Bhutan Flood Sweeps Through Hot Springs, Damaging Tourist Site

At Gasa Tshachu, a popular hot springs site in Bhutan, floodwater swept away facilities in the dark. Two Bailey bridges may also have been washed away, and officials had not yet checked the full damage. The area had been cleared before the flood arrived, and Bhutanese reports said no one was hurt. ^4,6

That evacuation helped prevent casualties as the flood moved from Shintaphu Lake into the Mo Chhu river system, then toward the Sankosh in India. Bhutanese media also reported damage to a road leading to the remote Laya region and to a solar-powered irrigation system. This type of flood happens when a natural wall holding back lake water gives way, releasing a sudden surge that can carry debris downstream. ^5,8

More than 10,000 people in India were moved to shelters or safer areas, according to Alipurduar police. About 4,000 to 5,000 went to school buildings used as relief centres, while more than 6,000 others moved elsewhere. The SDRF was sent out, an NDRF team was on its way, and local officials arranged food, drinking water and toilets. The river’s flow had eased slightly, but a red alert remained in force. ^1,11

That red alert covers the Sankosh river system, where authorities are watching for a sudden rise in water levels. The river crosses from Bhutan into India and forms part of the wider Brahmaputra system, putting riverside communities and farmland at risk. Officials urged people to stay away from riverbanks, follow local instructions and remain ready to move if asked. ^3,1