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Chencho Dema
Wangdou – The normally calm Bayta Chhu River swelled due to heavy rainfall upstream on the afternoon of August 18, inundating the villages of Bayta, Geyla and Tokha in Gangtey Gewog in Wangdou.
The flood, which occurred around 2 p.m., was the first such flood the community had experienced in recent years.
Although no casualties were reported, the floods caused severe damage, especially to potato crops of 10 farmers.
Gunti Gup Jinli Gelsing said about three acres of potato fields were destroyed. “However, about two acres of potatoes have been harvested and one acre of potatoes has yet to be harvested.”
The floods also washed away topsoil and fencing around the farm.
In addition, the drinking water pipes of Beita Primary School were destroyed, affecting the water supply of seven households. The foundation of Beita Bridge was also slightly damaged.
This is the first time that Gangtey has been hit by flash floods in recent years.
Other local settlements were not affected by the floods.
Gupkinli Girshchen said the school was declared closed yesterday and teachers volunteered to repair the damaged water pipes.
The local medicinal spring Bayta Menchu, located near the Baita River and known for its ability to cure a number of ailments, was also washed away.
The clan administrator Sherab Dorji said the clan office mobilised local volunteers and mobilized equipment for rescue efforts, including deploying a JCB machine to divert water and assess the damage.
He added: “The incident has been reported to the disaster liaison officer and the extent of damage is being assessed and restoration efforts are being prioritised.”
The flash floods were caused by heavy rains following a sunny morning. Although a full assessment of the damage has not yet been completed, initial reports indicate that the situation has stabilized.
On the same night, flash floods occurred in Beyul village of the Kazhi ethnic group, causing damage to farms and some houses.
No casualties have been reported yet.
Kazi Gup Kinley attributed the flooding to incessant rainfall in recent days.
“More than an acre of potato and pepper fields have been destroyed, two farm roads have been damaged and the Hume pipeline has been destroyed,” he said. “I have asked residents to help affected households harvest the remaining potatoes that have not been damaged.”
Meanwhile, the Dzongkhag administration has been notified about the incident. A comprehensive impact assessment caused by the floods is underway.
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