𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐞𝐤𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐚 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐰𝐨𝐠 𝐂𝐮𝐭 𝐎𝐟𝐟 𝐀𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐋𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬𝐥𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐬, 𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐠𝐞𝐬 𝐖𝐚𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐝 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐲

…𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒖𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒚 𝒇𝒂𝒄𝒆𝒔 𝒔𝒉𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒂𝒈𝒆𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝒇𝒐𝒐𝒅, 𝒎𝒆𝒅𝒊𝒄𝒊𝒏𝒆, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒂𝒍 𝒔𝒆𝒓𝒗𝒊𝒄𝒆𝒔 𝒂𝒔 𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒆𝒇𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒔 𝒂𝒘𝒂𝒊𝒕 𝒔𝒖𝒑𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒕

By Leki Chungdon

Residents of Sektenachiwog in Gakiling Gewog, Haa, continue to face severe challenges after multiple landslides triggered by heavy rainfall on October 5 blocked the main road connecting the chiwog to Denchukha. The landslides have completely cut off vehicle access, leaving the route barely passable even on foot.

Despite the isolation, the public of Sektena has been actively maintaining internal farm roads within the chiwog to ensure some degree of mobility and access between villages. However, the blockage along the main route has halted the transport of essential supplies, including food items, fuel, and medical aid.

The Gakiling Gewog Administration confirmed that efforts are underway to coordinate relief and logistical support. “We have reported the situation and are waiting for helicopter support to deliver essential items to the affected households,” said a gewog official. Continuous rainfall and unstable terrain have made road clearance difficult and risky. Local residents have expressed concern over dwindling supplies and the urgent need for assistance before conditions worsen.

The gewog administration is closely monitoring the situation while working with dzongkhag authorities and relevant agencies to restore connectivity and provide emergency relief. As of now, Sektena remains one of the most remote and inaccessible chiwogs in Haa, highlighting the vulnerability of highland communities to extreme weather events and the growing need for resilient infrastructure in rural Bhutan.

Wang Tshering, the Gup of Gakiling Gewog, said, “We have not been able to carry out any restoration works since Sektena borders Denchukha Gewog under Samtse Dzongkhag blockage. We are constantly following up with Denchukha Gewog to clear the roadblocks up to the Denchukha–Gakiling border so that we can begin our restoration activities in Sektena. In the meantime, local residents have managed to clear certain sections of the farm road within the chiwog. There are 45 households in Sektena, and because the chiwog is located in a remote area accessible only through three gewogs under Dorokha Drungkhag in Samtse, restoration work has been particularly challenging. Until Denchukha Gewog clears its side of the road, we are unable to begin our own work. We have been in continuous discussion with Denchukha Gewog authorities and nearby mining companies to coordinate the restoration efforts.

He also added that they have received government support to transport essential supplies and animal feed, which should last the community for about one to two months. Their focus is now on building permanent road structures such as retaining walls and culvert bridges to minimize future damage from landslides. Once Denchukha Gewog completes road clearance up to our border, they plan to resume full restoration using excavators. They are also hopeful that the government will assist in reconstructing the damaged Bailey bridges. The flash floods and landslides have caused extensive damage, including the destruction of three private Bailey bridges, one private concrete bridge, three culvert bridges, two suspension bridges, and two motorable bridges. In total, there were 187 roadblocks, 71 of which were major. Out of 13 farm roads in the gewog, 10 have been completely blocked.

Somdan Rai, the Tshokpa of Sektena Chiwog, said, “Many people in our community have been severely affected by the road blockages, particularly in terms of access to health services, food supplies, and the mobility of school-going children. The most immediate challenges we are currently facing are the lack of proper road connectivity, damaged bridges, and frequent electricity disruptions. Despite these difficulties, community members are working together to clear the roads whenever there is even a small blockage so that we can at least maintain limited mobility within the chiwog. We have also received some assistance from the gewog administration, which has been coordinating with relevant authorities to help us communicate our needs and expedite the road clearance.”

However, he added that if the situation continues for several more weeks, it will become extremely difficult for villagers to sustain themselves. Food supplies will run low, children may be unable to attend school regularly, and access to basic healthcare will become more challenging. Moreover, their agricultural activities, already affected by continuous rain and landslides, will be further delayed, impacting their livelihoods. The most pressing problems in their community are the damaged roads and bridges. Without their restoration, all other aspects of daily life, from education and healthcare to farming and trade, remain at a standstill.

Chotay Rai, a resident of Sektena Chiwog, said, “The recent floods have severely damaged our roads, and most of the bridges have been completely washed away. We are unable to travel from one place to another, and the entire community has been cut off. Our most immediate shortages are food, healthcare access, and meals for schoolchildren. Restoring road connectivity is our most urgent need right now. Mobility within the chiwog is extremely difficult. With no road access, no mobile network, and no electricity, communication among residents has become almost impossible. We receive occasional updates from the gewog administration, and they have shared plans to clear the road, but it will still take some time before any real progress can be seen, as the Gup mentioned.”

He also explained that if the situation continues for several more weeks, their village will face even more serious problems. Food supplies will run out, transportation will remain disrupted, and communication with the outside world will still be impossible. Their farmland has also been badly damaged by the floods and landslides, threatening their livelihoods. The people there are anxious, but they are trying their best to stay hopeful and support one another until help reaches them.

Ranjan Rai, a resident of Sektena Chiwog, said, “We have been severely affected by the recent floods and road blockages. Several bridges have been washed away, and our maize fields have been completely destroyed by the rainwater. Three shops were also swept away by the flood. Thankfully, we received food supplies that were airlifted by helicopter, and we are very grateful to the government for that support. Our farm road is extremely important to us, it is our only connection to basic services such as food, healthcare, and education. The nearest hospital is three to four hours away from our village, and under normal circumstances, it is already difficult to transport the sick. When the road is blocked, the situation becomes critical, as it can take up to two days to reach the hospital on foot. The gewog administration has provided us with food supplies, which has been a great relief, but we still hope the government can continue supporting us with regular food deliveries and emergency air transport for patients through helicopters.”

He added that in Phendeyna village, the mining project road used to be their lifeline, allowing villagers to reach town to purchase essentials. However, that road has also been completely blocked by landslides and floods. The disaster caused widespread destruction, washing away four bridges and even sweeping away a mining supervisor and an operator, although fortunately, the operator was later found safe in India. They are in urgent need of government assistance to restore road connectivity and rebuild the damaged bridges. Without immediate intervention, their community will continue to face severe shortages of food, medicine, and access to health care, leaving them increasingly isolated and vulnerable.