𝐃𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐅𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐡 𝐅𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐋𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐁𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬, 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐆𝐚𝐩𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬

…𝒔𝒉𝒐𝒑𝒌𝒆𝒆𝒑𝒆𝒓 𝒇𝒂𝒄𝒆𝒔 𝑵𝒖 1.5 𝒎𝒊𝒍𝒍𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒍𝒐𝒔𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒖𝒏𝒄𝒆𝒓𝒕𝒂𝒊𝒏 𝒓𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚 𝒂𝒔 𝒍𝒂𝒄𝒌 𝒐𝒇 𝑰𝒏𝒔𝒖𝒓𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒂𝒎𝒑𝒍𝒊𝒇𝒊𝒆𝒔 𝒑𝒐𝒔𝒕-𝒇𝒍𝒐𝒐𝒅 𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒖𝒈𝒈𝒍𝒆𝒔

The bustling streets of Dechencholing have turned into a landscape of devastation following the flash flood that struck on August 10, 2024. Among the worst-hit is the owner of Mendra Grocery and Liquor Shop, who now faces the daunting task of recovering from a catastrophic loss of goods and property. With her family by her side, she has spent the past five days sorting through the wreckage, attempting to salvage whatever remains of her once-thriving business.

The flash flood, which struck at approximately 2:30 pm, caught the shopkeeper and her family off guard. “I wasn’t thinking of my shop and properties; rather, I was worried for my two children who remained locked upstairs when the sudden flood came,” she recalls, her voice trembling with emotion. As the floodwaters receded, the full extent of the damage became apparent. Her shop, which had been stocked with goods worth Nu 1.5 million, was left in ruins.

Among the items lost were three display refrigerators, four ice cream deep freezers, and countless other valuables. “Most of the stuff can’t be sold shampoos, tetra-packed products, rice, and so much more,” she laments. Despite the enormity of the loss, the shopkeeper remains focused on her family’s safety, expressing relief that they escaped the disaster unharmed.

The financial impact of the flood is staggering. The shopkeeper, who had opened the store in Dechencholing just over a year ago, was planning to relocate in the coming month. However, those plans have been shattered. “I feel lost and tired, but I’m trying to stay composed,” she says, her eyes reflecting the exhaustion and stress of the past few days.

Adding to her woes is the fact that her shop was not insured. “I didn’t know whether I could insure the shop and household items. All I know is about taxes and customs, not insurance,” she admits. The authorities have asked her to submit a list of the items lost to the flash flood, but she isn’t expecting much in the way of compensation. “I consider this one of the most unfortunate times, but I’m glad that my family made it out alive,” she adds, trying to find a silver lining amid the chaos.

As she and her family continue the arduous task of cleaning and sorting, the shopkeeper is receiving advice from well-wishers to document the damage. “They’ve told me to keep pictures of the damages, just in case I can negotiate when filing taxes for my business,” she says. However, the path to recovery seems long and uncertain.

The flash flood in Dechencholing has not only destroyed livelihoods but has also highlighted the need for greater awareness and access to insurance for small business owners. As the shopkeeper reflects on the future, she expresses a sense of resignation. “Now that things are settling down, there’s nothing I can do,” she says quietly, her voice tinged with a mix of sorrow and acceptance.

For now, the shopkeeper’s focus remains on her family and trying to rebuild her business, one small step at a time. The road to recovery may be long, but she remains determined to move forward, no matter how daunting the challenges ahead.