The disruption is expected to last for weeks
Yangyel Lhaden
Several parts of Thimphu will be without water for about a week following extensive damage to the main water transmission line between Dodena and Taba yesterday following incessant rainfall.
This damaged transmission line supplies water to Langjopakha, Yangchenphug Higher Secondary School (YHSS) area, Changjiji, parts of core Thimphu area, the Royal Insurance Corporation of Bhutan (RICB) housing area, and lower Changzamtog.
Areas that will face a complete water outage are Langjopakha, YHSS area, and Changjiji while other areas will experience partial disruptions.
The thromde will deploy water tankers to the affected areas during the restoration of the water transmission line.
The damaged pipeline is located about 1.25 kilometres from the nearest road point.
“The restoration project might take a couple of weeks due to the lack of road access, making it difficult to transport materials to the site,” according to the public notification issued by Thimphu Thromde on its official Facebook page.
Thromde’s notification has been met with frustration from residents, who are demanding quicker action, long-term solutions, and effective management to address such issues.
This is the third time this monsoon season that Thimphu residents have experienced water shortages due to heavy rain and flooding.
In July, a landslide washed away a crucial water line from Chamgang, which supplies water to South Thimphu, including Changbangdu, Lungtenphu, Olakha, and Babesa.
Residents of South Thimphu were without water for about two weeks before the restoration of the water pipeline in Chamgang was completed, with continuous rain hampering the progress of the work.
The thromde is nearing completion in restoring the water line for Dechencholing, having completed about 75 percent of the work after floods affected several water pipelines and the water treatment plant, which supplies water to Dechencholing, Dangrina, and Satellite Town.
As predicted by the National Centre for Hydrology and Meteorology (NCHM) during the 10th National Climate Outlook Forum earlier this year, this monsoon season has been particularly severe, with the country receiving above-average rainfall and experiencing extreme weather events.
Several landslides have washed away water lines and caused roadblocks across the country. Some notable extreme weather events between July and August includes flash flood at Bumthang Lamay Gonpa stream on August 5, flash flood at Begana Guru Lhakhang stream in Thimphu on July 15, and the major Dechencholing flash flood on August 10. On August 17, heavy rainfall affected Isuna, Paro and Gidakom areas in Thimphu. On August 18, a flash flood in Gangtey, caused by heavy rainfall from Bayta Chhu, impacted Beta, Gela, and Tokha villages in Gangtey gewog.
The NCHM further predicts slightly above normal rainfall with potential extreme weather events for the remainder of the monsoon season.