Around 20 households in Shawa village in Gangzur, Lhuentse lost at least 17 acres of crops when the swollen stream flooded  on the night of July 17.

Gangzur gup Kuenzang Dorji said the flood damaged about five  acres of dry paddy field and more than 12 acres of wetland.

Tempa Tshering, a farmer, lost about an acre of paddy.

Jamyang Choden, another farmer, said, she is already worried about feeding her family of six .“I was happy thinking that the production would be good this year. Now, all’s lost,” she said.

Another villager, Tobgay, too lost about an acre worth of paddy.

“All my hard word is gone,” said Tobgay. He said he had expected paddy production to be good this year.

“From where would we get wetland now?” asked Jamyang Choden.

Tobgay said he is worried about where to grow paddy next year. The villagers of Shawa are hoping that the dzongkhag and the agriculture ministry would provide compensation accordingly.

Paddy is the only source of income for the people of Shawa village.

Kuenzang Dorji said that as per the directives of the dzongkhag administration, wetland would be relocated.

Lhuentse Dzongrab Kinley Dorji said damage assessment is underway. “We will compile the report and send it to the department of disaster management.”

The dzongrab, accompanied by dzongkhag kidu officer, dzongkhag disaster officer, and gewog officials, visited the damaged fields and met the victims.

Shawa village is 28km away from the gewog centre.

Tashi Phuntsho | Lhuentse