Attachments
Highlights
As of 4 August, 18 districts were affected by floods and landslides – Sarpang, Chukha and Samtse districts were the worst hit.
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The Ministry of Home and Cultural Affairs has instructed all the Dzongkhag Administrations to carry out detailed damage assessments including economic loss estimates within two weeks.
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The Royal Government of Bhutan is leading the relief efforts.
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No formal request for international support has been issued by the Ministry of Home and Cultural Affairs.
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During the past few days, the weather condition has improved allowing authorities and communities to carry out relief efforts.
Situation Overview
Bhutan, with a population of about 778,000 people, has experienced one of the worst monsoon season recorded.
Since mid-July, torrential rains caused floods and landslides in many parts of the country, particularly the southern districts. As of 4 August, authorities confirmed 18 districts have been affected with Sarpang, Chhukha and Samtse the worst hit. At least four fatalities have been confirmed. Significant damage to critical public infrastructure (stupas, farm roads and bridges) continue to be reported.
In Sarpang, about 63 households (220 people) were affected by the floods with 21 households evacuated to temporary shelters. The Sarpang River, after bursting its banks, washed away the town and damaged critical infrastructure including water sources, retaining walls and bridges. As the Amochu River water levels increased in Phuentshogling (Chhukha), a man was washed away. A total of 17 families were affected in the district with three houses destroyed. Bridges and and irrigation channels were also damaged. In Samtse, three people lost their lives (including a four year old girl, an 11 year old boy and a 46-year-old man). A 56 year old woman also went missing in Ugyentse. The floods also caused road blocks and power disruptions.
Acres of agricultural land and domestic products (including rice, farm animals, vegetables and spices) were destroyed by the floods and landslides across the affected areas (including Haa and Monggar) significantly impacting the livelihoods of affected communities.
Local media sources reported dengue cases in Phuentsholing and health officials say there is risk of diarrheal and other water borne diseases. During the past several days, the weather conditions in the southern region of the country is beginning to improve. The Ministry of Home and Cultural Affairs instructed all the Dzongkhag Administrations to carry out detailed damage assessments including the economic cost of the disaster within two weeks. To date, the Government has not requested for international assistance.
UN Response and General Coordination
While no request for support has been received by the UN Resident Coordinator, the RCO is following up and gathering information on individual UN agency support and response to bilateral requests made by government agency counterparts.
WHO has received a request for assistance from the Secretary of the Ministry of Health amounting to $174,500 from the South East Asia Regional Health Emergency Fund to support the health sector response (including mental health and psychological support, procurement of health supplies, provision of safe drinking water and sanitation and other activities to prevent vector, water and food borne diseases).
The Department of Disaster Management, with UNICEF support, pre-positioned supplies in the three most affected Dzongkhags to ensure that, in the event of a disaster, around 120 children in each Dzongkhag will be able to continue their education. The pre-positioned supplies will be able to meet water and sanitation facility needs of over 3,000 people, provide family water kits for 200 households in each region and support the establishment of temporary clinics. The supplies have not been used so far as the situation is considered to be under control.