A flash flood on Tuesday evening has cut off the main water supply to 55 households in Tangsibi Chiwog in Bumthang’s Ura Gewog. The flood washed away the community’s water collection tank and primary pipeline, leaving residents without a reliable source of water for drinking, livestock and farming. Although a temporary water source is keeping the taps running for now, villagers fear it may not last.
Built under the De-suung Water Flagship Programme in 2020, the water supply system had provided clean and reliable water to the people of Tangsibi Chiwog for the past five years.
However, heavy rainfall triggered a flash flood at Gatrak, washing away the main collection tank and primary pipelines.
With their primary water source destroyed, villagers have connected to an emergency water source that they had maintained as a backup.
While it has brought temporary relief, residents say the source has no filtration system and the pipeline could become blocked at any time.
“As we have no proper filtration system at the temporary source. So, there is a high risk of blocking the existing pipeline and causing a great problem soon,” said Sonam, a resident of Tangsibi.
“In the village, we are totally dependent on livestock and agriculture. So, enough water is very essential for us. We are hoping the government will support us immediately to restore the water source. Only then will our problem be solved,” said Sherab Chezom, also a resident of Tangsibi.
A joint team from the district and gewog administrations has inspected the damaged site and assessed the extent of the destruction.
The District Disaster Management Office is now preparing a damage assessment report, which will be submitted to the Department of Disaster Management and the Department of Local Governance to seek emergency funding for restoration.
Until then, the people of Tangsibi Chiwog remain dependent on the temporary water source, hoping permanent repairs begin before it too fails.
Thinley Dorji, Bumthang
Edited by Sangay Chezom
