With more rain in the forecast, some six families of Jangsa in Langchenphu Gewog in Samdrup Jongkhar fear losing their farmland to floods. They say they lose a portion of their productive land to the swollen river every year. And if mitigation measures are not put in place early, they fear losing all their land.
The Jangsa River looks small when there is no rain. But as soon as it starts raining, the river swells and floods the areas along the river. The Langchenphu Gewog Administration said some 15 acres of State land were washed away in the past few years.
Tshering Dorji has about five acres of land located by the river. And the river has been eroding his land, every summer.
“I lost around 13 decimals of land. When it rains, we have to live in fear. We have to go to safer places when it rains,” he said.
“If the river enters from that side, it will wash away all the land, not just mine. We would be grateful if a protection wall is constructed,” added Ram Chandra, a Jangsa Resident.
The gewog administration constructed a flood protection wall some five years ago. But a longer wall needs to be built. And there is no money.
“In the past, some cattle have been washed away as well. The river poses threat to both people and properties. In terms of mitigation, we have already submitted a report to the dzongkhag disaster management committee and asked for support to construct a wall. The committee endorsed the proposal and has sent the report to the Department of Disaster Management,” said Langchenphu Gup Guman Singh Gaylal.
Until the flood protection wall is extended, the families will continue to lose their farmland to floods.
Kinley Wangchuk
Edited by Sangay Chezom
