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A sudden flood in the Amochu River area early Sunday morning left several families and workers stranded in Bhutan's temporary housing and workforce camp. Despite challenging weather conditions, a coordinated rescue effort between Bhutanese authorities and the Indian Army ensured all affected individuals were brought to safety.
When a Druk Air helicopter was unable to take off due to inclement weather in Paro, Bhutan sought urgent support from India. Responding swiftly, the Indian Army deployed two helicopters at the site around 12:55 PM (local time). The teams airlifted stranded workers to safety and ensured they received immediate medical care, Department of Local Governance and Disaster Management, Bhutan said in a release. The helicopters successfully airlifted the three stranded individuals to the CST ground, from where they were transported to the hospital for medical care. In a positive turn of events, it was later confirmed that the two previously reported missing workers were also found alive and safe. Additionally, after a slight improvement in weather conditions, a Druk Air helicopter was able to take off from Paro and rescue one of the individuals earlier reported as washed away. The Royal Government of Bhutan has expressed sincere gratitude to the Indian Army for its timely and life-saving assistance, as well as to the Royal Bhutan Army and Druk Air teams for their courageous efforts, the release noted. We also commend the Royal Bhutan Army, Druk Air and all local responders who acted with bravery and selflessness, risking their own safety to ensure the well-being of others. According to the release, disasters have also been reported in other dzongkhags. The Royal Government is closely coordinating with local authorities to ensure timely response efforts. Meanwhile, Authorities in North Bengal have been placed on high alert after Bhutan's Tala Hydropower Dam began overflowing due to a technical failure, raising fears of downstream flooding in the Dooars region of West Bengal. The National Centre for Hydrology and Meteorology (NCHM), Bhutan, confirmed that the Druk Green Power Corporation (DGPC) reported a malfunction in the dam gates, which failed to open, resulting in river water spilling over the structure. Bhutan has formally alerted the West Bengal government to prepare for possible impacts. (ANI)
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