𝐈𝐧𝐟𝐫𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐐𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: 𝐃𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠’𝐬 𝐇𝐮𝐦𝐞 𝐏𝐢𝐩𝐞𝐬 𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐁𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐡 𝐀𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐅𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐝

…𝑹𝒆𝒔𝒊𝒅𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒔 𝑼𝒓𝒈𝒆 𝑹𝒆𝒑𝒍𝒂𝒄𝒆𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝑩𝒓𝒊𝒅𝒈𝒆𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝑷𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝑭𝒖𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒆 𝑫𝒊𝒔𝒂𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒔

By Yeshey Lhadon

The devastating flash flood that ravaged Dechencholing Satellite Town on August 10 has left the community in disarray, with growing scrutiny on the use of Hume pipes in place of traditional bridges in the key area. As the town begins to recover, residents are demanding urgent infrastructure improvements to prevent future disasters.

The flood, which has caused significant hardship and damages for many residents, with some still struggling to salvage belongings and find temporary housing. Tashi Wangchuk, a 60-year-old long-time resident, expressed frustration over the role of Hume pipes in the flood’s severity. “We believe that the Hume pipes, which replaced a proper bridge, significantly contributed to the damage,” Tashi Wangchuk said. He plans to approach the municipality to advocate for replacing the Hume pipes with bridges to mitigate future flood impacts.

Aerial images of the affected area highlight a troubling contrast, while some sections feature functional bridges, the stretch near the highway, equipped with five Hume pipes, was heavily obstructed by debris and wood. Residents argue that proper maintenance of these waterways could have lessened the flood’s devastation.

Kinley, one of the tenants at the old town said, “If the Hume pipes hadn’t been blocked, the damage would have been considerably reduced,” , though he acknowledged the Hume pipes might have inadvertently prevented even greater destruction. Dorji Lhaden, another resident, voiced her ongoing fear, “I’m still scared of the flowing water. We are just meters away from the stream that caused the havoc, and the uncertainty about rebuilding remains.”

Critics argue that a thorough assessment of the Hume pipes’ effectiveness in flood-prone areas could have averted some of the disaster. “A pre-flood evaluation of the infrastructure might have prevented this catastrophe,” Kinley added. The criticism has led some to question the Thromde’s awareness of the risks posed by Hume pipes in flood-prone zones.

The flood’s impact has left an enduring mark on Dechencholing. The community is hopeful that the government will address their concerns and implement necessary changes to improve flood management. As recovery efforts continue, the focus remains on enhancing infrastructure and preparing for future disasters.

Interestingly, some residents from the old town area of Dechencholing believe that the Hume pipes may have diverted the floodwaters away from their homes, potentially sparing them from greater damage. Langa Phuntsho, a 40-year-old scrap dealer, said, “Had there been no Hume pipe, all my scrap would have been washed away. We cannot predict waterways or the extent of destruction.” He remains hopeful that the personal visit of His Majesty the Fourth King to the flood site will lead to improved flood mitigation plans.

As Dechencholing navigates the aftermath of the recent flood, the incident highlights the need for proactive infrastructure planning and risk assessment to safeguard communities against the increasing frequency and severity of natural disasters.