The Bhutanese Leading the way.
An 80-year-old grandmother who usually stays by herself shared that during the Dechencholing flooding, as usual, she was alone. She heard sounds of water splash, and by the time she got outside, she could witness river carrying sands, boulders, mattress and even an altar being washed up, although the river was not big but it had force. She stood on her house balcony watching the unexpected incident.
Luckily, from a distance she heard people shouting to her to evacuate the scene immediately.
Another survivor, a 60-year-old man shared that though he was already done shifting from there he came back just to check his previous house as he still has attachments with house staying in it for 22 years.
He shared that in his attempt to run towards safer location, he was washed away thrice by the strong flood. Ultimately, he tried again and this time, he hung on to a tree.
He mentioned that he was neighbors with the deceased.
“The deceased was already bed ridden as he recently had an accident. During the time of the incident, I shouted to them about the flood, and at the same time, I started running towards safer location. By the time I knew it was a flood, it was late, as huge water was already filling up the streets. I somehow saw the deceased and his wife following few distance behind me, upon which I instructed them to climb towards the first-floor balcony where an old grandmother and a kid was staying and was later unharmed. Meanwhile, I was washed away by the strong flood thrice and somehow managed to survive.”
He said that when time rescue team saved him, they heard a loud sound and witnessed the middle hut being totally washed away by the flood along with all the things inside.
Later, the body of deceased and his wife was discovered by the rescue team. The deceased’s body was already cold whereas the wife was still breathing, and was instantly referred to hospital and could be saved.
Destruction caused by the flash flood
The flood caused scaring and diversion of water, causing the river to split into two parts. The Dangrina bridge experienced scaring and was blocked, affecting 78 families. The river also flooded the RBG campus, causing blockages in toilets and mud in houses.
RBG took 78 families to the Non-Commissioner Officers (NCO) mess, providing food and shelter.
The river blocked the main highway, causing the river to divert and flow through the road. The bridge had only two hum pipes, causing water to flow through the road. Drinking water pipelines were destroyed, and 32 households near the Pangrizampa bridge side were affected. Electricity was disrupted in some parts.
Mud carried down from the bridge affected buildings, with 4-5 buildings fully submerged and one hut washed away. About 40 vehicles were submerged, making it difficult for them to exit their parked areas.
The flood affected 23 huts in a red zone area, leading residents to shift out and find other places to stay.
In such incidents, an ICC is established which is responsible for coordination, reviewing challenges, opportunities, and planning for the next day.
Recovery efforts on
The recovery works to clear the trees, boulders, mud and sand along the path of the Dechencholing flash flood on 10 August 2024 is progressing well as several agencies are hard at work.
Thimphu Dzongkhag Officials shared that over 20 excavators and trucks were deployed by Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport (MoIT) and Thromde to repair the damage caused by the flood. The team worked from Dechenphug Lhakhang up to the main road bridge, dredging and pitching the sand and restoring the river to its original course. Over 1000 truckloads of sand and boulders were removed in 10 days, and the bridge above the highway was strengthened.
Several houses were totally washed away due to flash flood. The affected families were provided with shelter and food on the first day of the disaster. Around 60-70 non-national workers were provided necessary services same as other affected individuals, including health checkups and other related assistance for those who wanted to go back to their country. Also, electricity was restored soon after.
Over 130 children from various schools were given school uniforms by the Office of the Gyalpoi Zimpon (OGZ), and school openings were made more welcoming. Teachers and counselors met families and children to ensure everyone was taken care of.
Water was restored for people living in Dangrina, Pangrizampa, schools, RBG campus, and Drongtoe villages.
DeSuups helped to clear the mud and other debris. Only one vehicle was washed away by the flood, but the rest were successfully recovered.
Agencies and organizations involved in making contribution towards the incident included the OGZ, Ministry of Finance, Department of Service Transport (DoST) and Thromde, Royal Bodyguard (RBG), and gewog office, DeSuung, Royal Bhutan Police (RBP), Bhutan Construction and Transport Authority (BCTA), Bhutan Power Corporation, Dratshang Lhentshog, several private agencies such as private individuals, Vajra builders, random drivers, and volunteers.
An early warning system was recommended by National Centre for Hydrology and Meteorology (NCHM) and Department of Local Governance and Disaster Management (DLGDM) which would also help replicate future flooding incidents.
RBG is currently working on restoration and new building construction.
Twelve buildings will have water supply by the end of this month. An Instant Command Centre (ICC) was set up for coordination.
