Attachments
Highlights
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Torrential monsoon rains, since 19 July, triggered flash floods in several southern districts of Bhutan.
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In Sarpang District, the flash floods affected over 200 people (including 64 women and 108 children). No casualties have been reported.
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The Government is leading the response. Key needs include emergency shelter, food, water and mosquito nets.
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The Dzongkhag Administration and national authorities evacuated people in high risk areas and provided immediate relief to affected families.
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Major public infrastructures including roads and bridges have been destroyed near the Indian border disrupting major transport networks.
Situation Overview
Since 19 July, torrential monsoon rains have been affecting the southern districts (dzongkhags) of the Kingdom of Bhutan, a country in the Himalayas with a population of about 777,747 people. The heavy rainfall caused the Sarpang River to overflow and flooded Sarpang town (Sarpang District) on 21 July. All shops in the town were destroyed. The Royal Bhutan Army, dzongkhag officials and volunteers supported the evacuation of the shopkeepers to higher grounds.
While no casualties have been reported, 63 families (220 people) were affected by flash floods in Sarpang – this includes 64 women and 108 children. Of the 63 families, 21 families were provided with temporary shelter by the Dzongkhag Administration while the rest were able to find other shelter solutions including staying with their relatives or through rented accommodation.
In Gelephu town, 21 people (9 women and 8 children) were evacuated as the Sethikharay Stream overflowed. The local authorities are providing temporary shelter and food to six families. Other affected families have chosen not to seek additional support.
Severe flooding along the banks of the Ammochu River affected Phuentsholing, a border town with India in Chukha District. The floods destroyed workshop areas, heavy equipment, machineries and houses. As of 24 July, the river continues to breach its banks posing a risk to nearby settlements.
Major damages are reported in Sarpang-Gelephu National Highway and Thimphu-Phuntsholing Highway, disrupting trade with India and flow of essential commodities, such as fuel (petrol and diesel). The SarpangGelephu National Highway was washed away by floods, while a stretch along Thimphu-Phuentsholing Highway has been destroyed by landslides triggered by incessant rainfall.
Significant damages were reported to other critical local infrastructures, including the collapse of the bailey bridge in Samtse District and another bridge along the Trongsa-Zhemgang Highway.
The Department of Hydro Met Service (Ministry of Economic Affairs) forecast heavy rainfall and thunderstorms will continue to affect Bhutan throughout the coming week.
The Government of Bhutan is leading the local response operations. As an interim measure, all affected families in Sarpang and Gelephu towns have been evacuated. The Dzongkhag Administration is providing temporary shelter, food, water and mosquito nets. To date, no formal request for international humanitarian support has been received from the Government.