It has been more than a year since the Oong-gar flash flood in Lhuentse’s Maedtsho Gewog washed away 23 people and damaged properties. Following the devastating disaster, the Druk Hydro Energy Limited, a subsidiary company of DGPC spent around Nu 36 M for flood mitigation work in the area. It is carrying out the construction of a 32-megawatt Yungichhu hydropower project.
On the evening of 20th July last year, the campsite of the project below Oong-gar village was hit by a flash flood from the Newanchu stream.
As a mitigation work, a 283-metre stretch flood protection wall along the stream was constructed at the beginning of this year.
The Yungichhu hydropower project has also designated two staff to monitor the stream level, day and night. A siren has also been installed to alert the residents in times of emergency.
The mitigation work has brought relief to the villagers of Oong-gar.
Tashi Namgay, Oong-gar Tshogpa said “The villagers now get worried even with a slight increase in the water level. I also get worried that the stream might get swollen and we might face another disaster.But the company has assigned people to monitor water level and secondly, they have constructed walls and installed alarm system.”
Dorjila, a resident said “When there is no rain, the stream remains small but it swells when it rains. We are still worried that a flood might occur again like last year. However, we are hopeful that the protection wall will save us.”
Besides the mitigation work, the hydropower project has also taken a spiritual approach and constructed a chorten to seek blessings and minimise disaster.
Sonam Darjay, Lhuentse
Edited by Tshering Zam
