| Natural Hazards in Bhutan |
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Bhutan Earthquakes |
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Sikkim Quake 2011 |
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Bhutan Earthquakes |
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A 6.9-earthquake struck Northeastern Nepal and Sikkim (India)
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Haa - In a desolate state
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Of the 585 houses assessed for damage in Haa dzongkhag, 49 two-storied traditional mud-house homes are reported to have totally collapsed following the September 18 tremors.
Another 133 are reported to have suffered major damage, which are beyond repair, according to a report compiled by dzongkhag officials as of 9 pm yesterday.
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"The number of damaged homes is likely to increase," the dzongkhag agriculture officer, ML Bhatterai, said. "Each house we visited suffered at least a minor crack."
A cow in Nubgang village was reported dead and several injured at Gangkha village in Bji gewog.
In Bji gewog alone, eight homes have collapsed. Lhadon, 81, from Jamten village, is living in a small makeshift plastic shelter in front of her cracked house. She, her widowed daughter and her one-and-a-half-year old son spent their first night at a neighbour's home. "My only inheritance is ruined now," Lhadon, after a long pause, said.She recalled an earthquake a decade ago but not as severe. "I never imagined such a calamity to befall me," she said.
Another resident, Sangay Passang said, "We haven't been provided even a tarpaulin to make makeshift shelters and our situation is now miserable." The 67-year old man suffered minor injuries when he fell while his two-storied giant house collapsed. The family of more than half dozen members narrowly escaped grave injury when the windows and planks of their home shattered into pieces.
Scores of residents in Gangkha spent a night in an open area, and on Monday they moved to a makeshift shelter they made themselves. "I don't know how long we'll continue living here," said Sangay, who was worried of the approaching cold season.
Another disgruntled Haap, Tsering, said the government had promised immediate relief to victims, but so far they have not received even a tarpaulin sheet.
Haa MP Ugyen Tenzin said it was first crucial to assess the extent of damage and then provide assistance.
So far, the dzongkhag has distributed 31 tarpaulin sheets and the disaster management has distributed12. "Tarpaulins are out of stock in the market," the disaster management's focal person Sonam Wangchuk said.
At least 13 chortens and 14 lhakhangs are also reported damaged by the Sunday's tremor that hit north Sikkim.
The victims share tarpaulins and small plastic tents provided by the dzongkhag.
The dzongkhag as of yesterday distributed 109 tarpaulins, of which gyalpoi zimpon's office provided 77.
Of 49 homes reported in total collapse, Sombaykha gewog had the highest at 34, followed by Bji, 11.
Bji gewog has also reported 106 homes that were unfit to live in against 35 livable ones.
Katsho gewog has 43 houses that are reckoned unlivable and 54 livable ones. One house has completely collapsed. Samar geowg reported 18 homes that suffered major damage and 192 minor.
In Sombaykha, there were 149 affected houses, of which 109 were not worth living in; while Galing gewog has 23 affected homes, with 22 that are considered not worth living, including one lhakhang.
Of 136 houses assessed in Haa town, 24 were not worth living in and 122 were safe to put up in.
As of today, the dzongkhag assessed 944 homes, including a few lhakhangs.
Yesterday, the works and human settlement minister, Yeshey Zimba visited the affected areas and met the victims.
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| Contributed by Tenzin Namgyel, KUENSEL, Bhutan's national newspaper, 22 September 2011 |
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