The Bhutanese Leading the way.
His Majesty The King met with the shopkeepers whose shops were washed away by flood and inspected the areas damaged, in Sarpang. His Majesty also met with the dzongkhag officials and others involved in relief efforts.
Due to heavy rain over the past few days, the Sarpang river broke its banks and gradually swept away the shops of the roadside market. Upon receiving Royal Command, a relief team comprising of Royal Bhutan Army personnel, police, government officials, and DeSuups, joined by local volunteers, began relief work immediately after the breach to
evacuate the entire market.
The shopkeepers and their families are safe, and food and shelter have been provided for those of need of assistance. The relief team continues to monitor the situation.
The Royal Bhutan Armed Forces and the relevant government agencies are on high alert across the southern belt.
In the evening, His Majesty visited areas along the Maokhola River, in Gelephu, to assess damages and risk posed to structures around it. A water treatment plant which supplies water to the Gelephu Thromde is among the structures along the river which would be affected by rising levels.
His Majesty arrived in Gelephu on Thursday.
The old Sarpang town has been swept away by a strong flood this monsoon. Due to the tinely intervention of RBA and others there were no casualties reported. 63 households comprising of 218 people including four non-Bhutanese residents are left homeless by the flood, which took place on July 20 at around 8 am.
The victims from 20 families, were moved to a temporary shelter in Sarpang Sunday vegetable shed area. 26 tarpaulin sheets to cover the sheds and evacuated properties were provided.
There are two safe drinking water taps connected to a water tank in the temporary shelter, but no electricity due to safety concerns. Health awareness on sanitation and hygiene were given to the families, and 30 mosquito nets were provided to them.
Food has also been provided.
Meanwhile, two excavators were deployed on July 20 and 21 to divert the river course, but works were hampered by the heavy downpour and rising water level in the river.
