In a heart-wrenching incident on Thursday evening, Ungar village in Lhuentse witnessed a calamity of unprecedented magnitude. The tranquility of the evening was shattered when Dechen Pelden, 28, and her husband heard an ominous rumbling sound and felt the ground shake while preparing dinner at around 7.40 pm. Alarmed by the unusual phenomenon, they rushed outside to investigate.
Downhill from their location, workers and families of Druk Hydro Energy Limited, a subsidiary company of DGPC, along with a de-suup, found themselves engulfed by a sudden burst at the residential area adjacent to the worksite. The disaster, as stated in a press release from the Prime Minister’s Office, unleashed a flash flood that tore through the camps, carrying with it mud, trees, and massive boulders.
Reacting quickly, Dechen Pelden and her husband climbed to safety up a slippery narrow footpath, leaving behind their homes and possessions. “I thought we were going to die when I heard the rumbling of the boulders crashing down the valley. I was shocked,” said Dechen, still in a state of shock over the harrowing experience.
As day broke, a rescue team comprising local de-suups, Rigsar Construction workers, and community leaders witnessed the devastating aftermath of the flood, struggling to comprehend the scale of destruction left behind. Tragically, six bodies were recovered, but the search for the remaining 17 continues. Among the missing are one de-suup, five DGPC staff members, and the family members of the workers.
The flood also inflicted damage on rice fields and claimed the lives of approximately ten cattle along the stream, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. Residents of Ungar village expressed their disbelief, stating that this was the first time such a disaster had struck their peaceful community.
The cause of the flash flood remains unknown, and authorities are investigating to ascertain the factors behind this devastating event. His Royal Highness Gyaltshab Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, the Prime Minister, and DGPC’s Managing Director visited the site to assess the situation and offer support.
The rescue team, now numbering more than a hundred, includes personnel from the armed forces, forestry officials, disaster management teams, and workers from Rigsar Construction. Additional trained manpower from various hydropower plants is expected to join the efforts to locate the missing and provide assistance.
While some works at the hydropower project have resumed, a comprehensive assessment of the situation is underway, led by DGPC’s Managing Director Dasho Chewang Rinzin, who will hike up the stream to determine the breakage point and other contributing factors to the flood. Preliminary surveys have been conducted by hydromet officials to shed more light on the incident.
Prime Minister Dr. Lotay Tshering, who is currently in Lhuentse, expressed his grief over the enormous loss of lives and properties caused by the flash flood. He conveyed his heartfelt gratitude to all those involved in the rescue and recovery operations, commending their efforts to bring hope and support to the affected families.
As the nation mourns this tragic event, prayer ceremonies are being held, and the Office of Gyalpoi Zimpon is providing guidance and support for the search, rescue, and coordination efforts. The retrieved bodies are being returned to their respective home districts, as per the wishes of the grieving families.
This disaster serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictable forces of nature and highlights the importance of disaster preparedness and infrastructure resilience to safeguard lives and properties in the future. The entire nation stands in solidarity with the affected families during this difficult time.
