Persistent and heavy rainfall triggered widespread flooding and multiple roadblocks in Phuentshogling yesterday, affecting more than 70 families. The displaced families have been evacuated to designated shelters and schools by the Thromde.
Chamkuna in Amochhu is the worst-hit area where recurring flooding has once again flooded the National Housing and Development Corporation Limited (NHDCL) colony. Heavy rainfall at midnight caused floodwaters to surge at around 1 AM, forcing residents to flee their homes.
A one-storey building operating as a canteen was completely washed away. Floodwaters submerged the ground floors of residential buildings, damaging household belongings, while several first floors were also affected. An excavator deployed by the NHDCL for flood mitigation was also buried under debris. Buildings under construction in the area also sustained extensive damage.
Officials said no casualties have been reported. Machinery were deployed to divert the river away from residential areas and prevent further damage.
The Amochhu Temporary Settlement was also submerged. Thromde officials and the Royal Bhutan Police evacuated more than 30 families after floodwaters entered their homes shortly after midnight. Residents had little time to save their belongings, and several vehicles were left submerged.
“It was midnight when water started entering our homes. We could not retrieve any belongings. I quickly packed my children’s clothes and rushed out. I hardly managed to get out of my car. Those with children escaped narrowly,” said Sonam Dorji, a resident of the Amochhu Temporary Settlement.
Another resident Rajesh Sunar said,“My wife woke me up around midnight. When I woke up, there were water everywhere. We rushed to escape and could not take out any belongings, not even clothes for my children. We are temporarily housed at a school.”
The heavy rain also disrupted traffic across the town. The Phuentshogling-Thimphu Highway remained blocked until noon due to landslides above the town while the Phuentshogling-Samtse Highway remains completely blocked at Chamkuna. The bypass road connecting Phuentshogling and Rinchending was also closed after sections of the road were washed away, disrupting the movement of commuters and vehicles.
The swollen stream along the bypass at Pemaling also swept away 70 per cent of the LPG cylinders from nearly 1300 cylinders.
Kinley Dem, Phuentshogling
Edited by Phub Gyem
