Incessant heavy rain in Phuentshogling has caused several flash floods, landslides and roadblocks today. A flash flood near the National Housing Development Corporation or NHDCL housing colony in Toorsa was reported early morning followed by a similar incident in Kabreytar. Although there are damages to properties, no major casualties have been reported as of now. The affected residents of the NHDCL colony have been evacuated to Phuentshogling Higher Secondary School.
The flash flood near the NHDCL housing colony in Toorsa was reported at around 5:30 in the morning.
The nearby stream has swollen and entered the buildings of the colony. As a result, the ground floors of 10 NHDCL units and five units of private buildings have been affected. Four shops housed in temporary hut have been affected as well.
Excavators were deployed to divert the river towards the main course.
Affected residents said that all their properties have been either lost or damaged.
“A similar incident happened last year. We got no support back then and I think this year also, we will not get any support. All the properties and belongings are damaged now,” said Dawa Lhamo, a resident.
“The water entered my house early in the morning. We could hardly get out of the house. I had to pull my children out. We could not retrieve any properties. I also got my leg injured and fainted as well. Since this kind of incident happens almost every year, we have requested officials to construct a bigger wall but they did not,” said Kinley Namgay, another resident.
NHDCL officials said they have done everything possible to ensure the residents’ safety. However, they said the construction of the wall is beyond their scope.
Similarly, a flash flood at Kabreytar washed away a car at around 7:30 this morning. No casualties have been reported, but there have been reports of minor damages to properties.
Similarly, a landslide above a private building in Upper Kabreytar was reported. All the tenants in the building have been evacuated.
Landslides were also reported behind the multi-level car park due to swollen Om Chhu. According to sources, the river is eroding its bank from Khariphu Bailey Bridge to Toorsa. Officials have informed all the residents in the lower market in Phuentshogling town to be alert.
The road to Pasakha has remained closed after a major portion of the road just below the Rinchending Check Post was washed away in the morning.
Meanwhile, across the border in Jaigaon, a bridge six kilometres from the border gate was washed away. And therefore, vehicle movement beyond Jaigaon has been stopped.
Kinley Dem
Edited by Kipchu
