Ugyen Dorji

The rainstorm triggered by cyclone Sitrang on October 24 night left a trail of disaster in villages across four gewogs of Pemagatshel.

The gewogs reported damage to more than 60 acres of maize fields belonging to 80 households and properties.

The dzongkhag disaster management office received reports from Dechheling, Dungmin, Yurung, and Chimung gewogs. However, there were no reports of human casualties.

According to officials, Dechheling gewog reported the maximum damage.

Local leaders said that the rainstorm which started at 10pm went on until 5am the next morning damaging 37 acres of maize field belonging to 27 households in five chiwogs.

Dechheling farmers, who lost crops, said that they never witnessed such widespread and extensive damage to crops and properties by a natural disaster.

A farmer from Shingchongri, Choeten Rinzin, said that the storm damaged more than two acres of maize field which produce around 100 dres of maize.

Dechheling Gup Jimpa Phuntsho said that the windstorm severely affected Shingchongri chiwog, and a few citrus fruits were also damaged.

Minor damage was also reported to buckwheat and millet fields.

He said that roof of a house in Namdaling Chiwog was blown away by the windstorm.

According to the Dechheling gewog officials, the damage assessment report estimated Nu 860,212 worth of maize and other crops.

Officials said a windstorm damaged three acres of maize fields of 17 households in Chimung gewog.

Similarly, Khangma chiwog in Yurung gewog also reported 20.23 acres of tender maize belonging to 23 households.

A windstorm damaged one acre of maize field in Laniri chiwog under Dungmin gewog. Gewog officials said that maize fields are not heavily damaged.

Officials said that they are collecting information on damages caused and the data may change.

Dzongkhag disaster focal person, Dorji Drakpa said that compared to the crop damage, the damage to homes and properties was minimal.

The reports are being compiled and they would be submitted to the agriculture ministry and the Department of Disaster Management.