Patrick S. O'Donnell writes: "There were two catastrophic flooding events here. First in mid-June 2023 on primarily the main river, then the second in June 2024 on primarily a side stream. I'm finding the first flooding event of mid-June 2023 took out the deck and perhaps some of the eastern tower of the newer bridge, rendering it useless. The adjacent through truss span was not put in at that time. Then the older derelict suspension bridge was redecked primarily of bamboo and put back into use. Apparently the through truss span was in place at the time of the second flooding event a year later in June 2024."
One of two adjacent suspension bridges at this location. This record refers to the southern bridge, the older and smaller of the two.
Facebook. Post and photos by the Government of Sikkim regarding the flood devastation in the area. Posted June 16, 2023. Patrick S. O'Donnell observes: "Images from a visit by authorities show what appears to be the east tower and its base of the newer footbridge having been washed away. The light rust colored deck plating of the newer bridge is seen strewn downstream far side. The remnants of the deck of the older bridge are still suspended, thus the tower and anchorage at its east side still standing, obscured by vegetation. These images show the through truss span having not been installed."
Facebook. Photo, posted June 11, 2024. Patrick S. O'Donnell summarizes: "Image shows the debris from the second flooding event behind and to the west of the pair of suspension bridges towers with the shorter still having its deck. From a set of photos from a visit from local authorities."
Facebook - Flash floods #Rolep. Video posted June 10, 2024. Patrick S. O'Donnell summarizes: "Small low resolution video posted shortly after the second, June 2024 catastrophic flooding event showing the newly fashioned bamboo deck of the formerly derelict bridge still intact."
Facebook - Hanging Bridge in Rolep. Image of the smaller bridge with a new bamboo deck. The tower from the larger suspension bridge is seen in the background. Posted November 13, 2023.
Google Maps. Image with the two suspension bridges in the background. Dated May 2023. This appears to have been taken a month before the first of two floods that heavily damaged the suspension bridges.
Google Maps - Rolep Hanging bridge. Image of the larger bridge. Dated April 2022. The other older, smaller suspension bridge is seen in the lower right part of the image.