Heavy rainfall overnight has again caused havoc in Phuentsholing and Sarpang. Our correspondent says flash floods and landslides triggered by heavy rains is not only causing damage to roads and infrastructure but also poses serious threat to human lives.
Five families living in huts has to leave their homes following heavy rain last night. They are employees of Lhaki Steel and Rolling Private limited. This is the second time that their lives have been threatened by flash flood.
They said until the monsoon is over, they will have to live with the fear of being washed away by flash flood or buried under mudslides.
Heavy rainfall last night has also damaged the road leading to Pasakha Industrial Estate at several points bringing traffic to and from the industrial estate to a halt. The road blocks were however cleared in the afternoon. Several industries were also flooded with rain water and debris.
In Sarpang, the swollen Sarpang river has washed away 14 houses early Friday morning.
Our reporter Pema Samdrup says residents spent sleepless night evacuating their belongings.
Shopkeepers in Sarpang say this is the second worst flood that hit the market after 1996’s devastating flood which washed away the market and submerged under water.
People said the swollen Sarpang river has totally changed its course towards the market and pose threat to the Gelephu-Thimphu highway. About 40 armed personnel and dzongkhag officials are on site to evacuate people and their belongings to safer grounds.
Sarpang market has about 140 shops with about 200 people.
