Kathmandu: A glacial lake outburst triggered a flash flood in northern Bhutan, washing away infrastructure near the popular Gasa Tshachu natural hot springs. No injuries or loss of life have been reported, according to media reports on October 30.
The flood occurred after the Shintaphu glacial lake burst its banks, sending water through the Gasa Tshachu area in the Himalayan kingdom. The extent of the damage from the late-night flooding remained unclear due to darkness and the strong flow of water.
According to Bhutan’s national broadcaster, two Bailey bridges, which are constructed using portable, prefabricated sections, may have been washed away by the floodwaters.
The Gasa Tshachu hot springs are a major tourist attraction in northern Bhutan, a country located between India and China. The area has experienced similar flooding in the past. In 2021, a flash flood occurred after the Mochhu River changed course and swept through the hot springs area.
Bhutan’s national newspaper, Kuensel, reported that part of the road leading to Laya village, where the hot springs are located, had also been washed away, leaving the route impassable. The road has been closed to traffic indefinitely.
Authorities had evacuated the area before the floodwaters reached the affected location, according to the newspaper.
The incident highlights the risks posed by glacial lake outburst floods in the Himalayan region, where rising water levels in glacial lakes can trigger sudden and destructive flooding.
In neighbouring Nepal, a flash flood along the border with China in August killed more than 1,500 people and left more than 5,000 missing. The affected mountainous area is approximately 600 kilometres west of the Bhutan incident.
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