After almost two weeks of seeking refuge in schools and others home, residents of Threna village under Udzorong Gewog in Trashigang Dzongkhag are back in their home.
They were evacuated on 21st May after the heavy rainfall triggered flashflood wreaking havoc to their farm, crops and even posing risks to their houses.
Moreover, their farm road and the newly completed solar fencing were also damaged. Most of them along with their livestock were evacuated to Chhiya School with the help from gewog officials, Desuups and teachers.
Cheten Lhamo, a resident of the village shares how the residents were helped by others after the flash flood. “One of my neighbours was evacuated to school. He was provided food and shelter by them and even his cattle were tethered around the school. I stayed one night and after that, I went to Trashigang after leaving my cattle with my uncle. Some of the neighbours stayed with their relatives,” she said.
Now back in their village, they are even more worried as the monsoon season has just started. Kinzang Dorji, a resident of the village who stayed in the village even after the flash flood says the risk of another flood is looming over but ” I have to stay here only as I have some leftover crops in my field, I thought to move to another place but I could not as I have to safeguard my crop,” and yet he says he fears for his life with the summer season threatening another flood.
Villagers also blame the newly completed farm road for triggering landslides and flashflood. According to them, the poor drainage system and loose soil are causing landslides. Kinzang Dorji says, “if they can maintain the farm road, provide Hume pipes and proper drainage systems, then the recurring landslides will disappear. The last flashflood is mainly due to lack of proper draining system on the newly constructed farm road.”
“We have requested the gewog administration to change the farm road alignment, if possible, and to divert the direction of rainwater to one side. The Dzongda has also visited the place and committed to helping us,” added Cheten Lhamo.
According to the gewog administration, the gewog has compiled the report of damages and submitted it to the Dzongkhag Disaster Management, which was then forwarded to the Department of Disaster Management. The gewog is also working on purchasing material for temporary shed.
Threna village has five households and the residents are looking forward to starting up the restoration work as early as possible.
Sonam Darjay
