Chimi Dema | Tsirang

Following heavy continuous rain since July 20, Tsirang reported more damages to properties, crops and public infrastructure.

A landslide on the midnight of July 21 damaged poultry shed, killing about 180 laying birds in Chuzomsa chiwog under Patshaling gewog. With the help of neighbours, farm owner Pema Tamang rescued about 100 birds from the damaged shed.

Senior Livestock Health Supervisor with the gewog, Amber Bdr. Gurung said that as there is no compensation scheme unless the farm is insured, they may consider a subsidy if there are heavy damages on the structure.

The consolidated damage report compiled by the dzongkhag disaster management unit recorded more than 30 other damages across six gewogs.

Patshaling gewog reported the most number of damages, 20 including six homes.

In Patshalingmaed, the mudslides on the night of July 21 damaged a house and washed away a carpentry shed. It was reported that the carpentry machine worth Nu 100,000 was buried.

Gewog officials have assessed the damages and advised residents to be cautious.

Except for two structures, Patshaling Gup Chabi Kumar Rai said that rest of them were not insured.

“We have also informed officials from Royal Insurance Corporation of Bhutan and they are yet to assess them,” the gup said.

The incessant rainfall has also damaged over 1.3 acres of cardamom plantation in the gewog.

The irrigation canals in Pemashong and Zamlingzor chiwogs in Mendrelgang suffered partial damages. The gewog administration would restore the canals.

Damages to private irrigation canal were also reported in Barshongmaed under Barshong gewog. The gewog officials are inspecting the damaged structures.

In other gewogs of Rangthaling, Kilkhorthang, Pungtenchu and Barshong, multiple minor blocks on farm roads and gewog centre roads, and damages to public infrastructure were also reported.

The gewog officials were coordinating the clearing of the roads.

Meanwhile, UNICEF issued a press release stating that over 700 people have died and dozens are missing in across four countries in South Asia.

The monsoon rain has caused landslides across the country and is hampering transport and communication as the main highway and inter-district roads have been damaged. The flash floods were caused by the overflow of the seven streams and tributaries to the Maochhu.

“Even for a region that is all-too-familiar with the devastating impact of extreme weather, the recent heavy monsoon rains, rising floods and continued landslides are creating a perfect storm for children and families affected,” said Jean Gough, UNICEF Regional Director for South Asia.

“The Covid-19 pandemic and containment and prevention measures add an additional complication to the mix, as Covid-19 cases are accelerating in some of the affected areas,”she added.

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