This is the second collapse since 2019

Nima | Gelephu

A flash flood triggered by incessant rainfall for the past two days damaged a temporary bailey bridge near the domestic airport in Gelephu yesterday morning, stranding vehicles and daily commuters.

Sources said that the flash flood occurred at around 5am after the small stream swelled.

While no casualties were reported, a motorbike rider narrowly escaped the flood and from being hit by the bridge when it collapsed. 

The road opened to traffic at 10am after a bypass road was constructed.

Gelephu thrompon, Tshering Norbu, said they would not construct a temporary bridge as a permanent bridge is under construction over the stream. The bridge is expected to be ready after the monsoon season.

Construction Development Corporation Limited is constructing the bridge worth more than Nu 150 million.

Tshering Norbu said thromde would keep restoring the bypass road until the monsoon season ends.

Department of Roads constructed the bailey bridge in 2019 as a temporary measure after bringing bridge parts from Zhemgang.

Thromde spent Nu 600,000 to construct the temporary bridge then. Floods also damaged protection walls.

Residents said the bridge would not have been damaged if flood protection walls were constructed from both sides of the bridge.

Thromde officials said the new bridge that is under construction would have all the mitigation measures in place.

The bridge collapsed in June 2019 also. 

Edited by Tashi Dema