Bhutan's Gasa Tshachu Hot Springs Devastated by Glacial Lake Flood

A flash flood, triggered by the bursting of the Shintaphu glacial lake, has caused significant damage to the Gasa Tshachu natural hot springs in Bhutan, washing away vital infrastructure. State broadcaster BBS reported on Friday that no casualties were reported from the incident that occurred on Thursday night. The full extent of the destruction remains unclear due to darkness and the force of the floodwaters, BBS added. It is also feared that two Bailey bridges may have been swept away. According to Kuensel, Bhutan’s national newspaper, a section of the road leading to Laya, the village where the hot springs are situated, has been washed away, making it impassable and closed indefinitely. As authorities begin to assess the damage, concerns are mounting over a large artificial lake that has formed from the conjoined river channels following the outburst. Residents in the Mochhu and Punatsangchhu river valleys have been alerted and advised to stay clear of riverbanks and flood-prone areas. In neighboring India, flood warnings were issued for parts of West Bengal and Assam due to the glacial lake outburst, as reported by India’s NDTV broadcaster. The Gasa Tshachu hot springs, a popular tourist destination in northern Bhutan, situated between India and China, had previously been affected by a flash flood in 2021 when the Mochhu River altered its course and inundated the area. This event follows a devastating flash flood in Nepal, approximately 600km to the west, which occurred in August on its border with China, resulting in over 1,500 deaths and more than 5,000 missing individuals.