11 people including two women have been washed away by the Punatsangchhu in Punakha in the last three years according to police records. This has raised concerns among the residents, calling for measures to prevent such deaths. However, the dzongkhag disaster management said they have been providing adequate awareness and sensitisation to institutes, communities and villages in the district on the risks the river poses to lives during summer.
Despite the swollen river these days, some people can still be seen swimming in the river during the weekends and holidays. They say this is to beat the summer heat.
Likewise, some people also come from other districts to visit Punakha for leisure along the riverbank. In the last few days, rain has caused the river to breach its bank and enter residential areas at Thangu Chiwog in Wangdue Phodrang. People say the risk of the river causing casualties and damage to properties is always there.
Among the 11 people washed away by the river since 2020, some were swept away while swimming and others were accidentally washed away.
“Children should listen to their parents. If we take care of ourselves, there is no way the river will harm us. So, it is solely dependent on ourselves,” said Kinley, a resident.
“To be honest, the river meanders down the valley naturally and it is the people who are risking their own lives by going near the river,” said Nado, another resident.
There are several schools located along the Punatsangchhu which is risky for the students and teachers. The school managements said they provide adequate awareness programmes to the students in accordance with school safety guidelines.
“Even during the morning assemblies, this kind of safety awareness is being created. We do have a sensitisation programme during the Parent-Teacher Meeting, and also during the School Parenting Awareness Program. And not only that, even before leaving for mid-term break, I personally take the opportunity to sensitise the children and to send the same voice message to be conveyed or to be shared with the parents,” said Haki Wangmo, Principal of Khuruthang Middle Secondary School.
Just recently, a student of Khuruthang Middle Secondary School was washed away by the river.
“One of our friends was washed away by the river recently and died. That incident has really taught us a lesson,” said Namgay Dorji, a student.
Likewise, the district administration in collaboration with the Police is monitoring the places along the river most visited by the people.
“Dzomlingthang is one of the most public visited places here. People from other districts come here for picnicking, and in the meantime, people are getting into the river to play. Since we do not have enough manpower in the dzongkhag disaster sector, we are sending police personnel to monitor the situation in the area,” said Sonam Phuntsho, Officiating Dzongkhag Disaster Focal Person.
People say if the offices concerned could come up with adequate recreational centres and public swimming pools, it would prevent from going to the river.
“I feel people can be stopped going to the river if offices concerned could do some chain-link fencing along the riverside which is frequented by the people,” said Dawa Gyeltshen, Tshogpa of Dochhukha-Dzomlingthang-Ritsa Chiwog.
The district administration has plans to fix boards carrying cautionary messages on risks of playing in and around rivers at various public places for awareness.
“Since I am the officiating dzongkhag disaster focal person, I have proposed for the construction of some riverbank walls and fencing in the risky places in the 13th Five Year Plan,” said Sonam Phuntsho, Officiating Dzongkhag Disaster Focal Person.
Locals acknowledge that as much as the river is a threat to the people living downstream, it is also their own responsibility to safeguard themselves from the menace of the river.
Changa Dorji, Punakha
Edited by Kipchu
