Bhutan lake outburst triggers flash flood alert along Sankosh river in Bengal

A glacial lake in Bhutan burst its banks, causing a flood that swept away infrastructure at the Gasa Tshachu natural hot springs, according to media reports on October 30, 2026. No injuries or fatalities were reported. The Gasa Tshachu hot springs, a popular tourist destination nestled between India and China, sustained damage, though the extent of the destruction remains unknown due to darkness and the strong flow of the floodwaters.

Two Bailey bridges, constructed from portable pre-fabricated sections, might have been destroyed. The National Centre for Hydro-Met Services (NCHM) is currently monitoring the water level along the Mochu river at Tashithang. India has been made aware of the situation. Gasa Tshachu had previously experienced a flash flood in 2021, which altered the course of the Mochhu River and caused significant damage.

Part of the road leading to the Laya village, where the hot springs are situated, was washed away, rendering it impassable. The road has remained closed indefinitely. Authorities in Bhutan had already evacuated the area prior to the latest flood. In neighboring Nepal, a similar mountainous region experienced a flash flood in August, which resulted in over 1,500 deaths and more than 5,000 people reported missing.