The earthquake on April 28 caused damages to over 2,500 structures across the country. Most of the damages were reported from the eastern districts. This is according to the report compiled by the Department of Disaster Management (DDM). While many private houses including government structures sustained major damages, some reported minor cracks on the walls.
About 16 districts reported some form of damages from the quake.
“The earthquake did not cause severe damages. It caused minor cracks on the walls of structures. However, when it comes to places near the epicentre of the earthquake, there are reports of major damages,” said Pema Singye, the Chief of the Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Division at the DDM.
The Trashigang district reported the highest damages to over 1,000 structures followed by Monggar at about 400. As per the report, most damages reported in Monggar are minor. Trashi Yangtse district also reported damages to nearly 250 structures from the earthquake.
Most of the damages are reported to have been caused to private houses at over 2,000. More than 100 Lhakhangs, Chortens and Dzongs also sustained damages. Also over 100 government structures and close to 80 structures in schools across the country reported damages.
The Royal Insurance Corporation of Bhutan Limited (RICBL) reported more than 1,100 damage cases till now and is still in the process of assessing the damages. The RICBL is yet to release insurance claims for the damages from the recent earthquake.
Meanwhile, the Chief of the Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Division at the DDM said it is important to insure one’s property. “We always encourage people to insure their properties. However, most people do not insure properties on their own except for the compulsory insurance scheme of the government. Moreover, there is also a lack of insurance companies to give insurance to everyone.”
The 6.0 magnitude earthquake hit Assam in the morning hours of 28th April where the tremor was felt across Bhutan.
Kinley Dem
