THIMPHU: In what residents are describing as the worst hailstorm of their lifetimes, a violent downpour of hailstones swept across Sarpang dzongkhag (district) on April 7, leaving a trail of destruction that damaged homes, poultry farms, vehicles and standing crops.
Residents woke to clear skies this morning and stepped outside to assess the damage, clear debris and salvage what remained of their livelihoods.
The hailstones, varying in size from marbles to tennis balls, and in some places as large as cricket balls, caused widespread but uneven destruction. Samtenling Gewog appears to have borne the brunt of the storm.
A resident, Tshering Kezang said the storm was unlike anything he had experienced before.
“There was hail like this back in 2007, but it never pierced roofs. This time, it fell with sharp spikes and far greater force,” he said.
The impact was severe. At least 30 residential rooftops in Samtenling were damaged, while across Sarpang, reports emerged of shattered windows and broken rain gutters.
A farmer from Choekhorling, Thinley Wangdi reported extensive losses, including damage to his poultry shed, house roof, dragon fruit orchard, maize field and other crops.
“Yesterday’s hail was unlike anything we have seen. It tore through everything, taking both what we needed and what we didn’t,” he said. “Just repairing the poultry farm roof will cost around Nu 500,000 (US$5.398).”
A resident of Gelephu Gewog said that their seasonal bean crop, expected to fetch around Nu 6,000, had been wiped out.
“Nothing grows after this month due to extreme rain and heat, but the hailstorm has taken everything away,” he or she added.
Farmers in Tareythang Gewog also faced heavy losses, with 31 households reporting damage to 291 fruiting areca nut trees. The losses come at a particularly difficult time, as areca nut prices have already been declining.
Tareythang Gup Dhan Man Gurung said farmers had been hoping for a price recovery following elections across the border.
“But the hailstorm has damaged even the trees that remain. Most of the fruiting trees have been hit,” he said.
For many, the losses are long-term. Ganga Maya Ghalley, a farmer from Samtenling, lost 11 areca nut trees, adding to earlier losses caused by strong winds last month.
“It takes at least seven years for an areca tree to start fruiting. This is very disheartening,” she said.
The storm also struck Dawathang village, where thousands had gathered for an ongoing religious empowerment.
Temporary shelters were damaged, and more than 100 vehicles parked outside sustained varying degrees of damage.
Cars were left with dented bodies, cracked windshields, broken headlights, and damaged rain gutters.
An electric taxi owner, Karma Tshering was among those affected. “My windscreen alone will cost around Nu 21,000 to replace. The body and lights are also damaged,” he said, adding that repair costs would wipe out much of his earnings.
Despite widespread destruction across 12 gewogs (counties) in Sarpang Dzongkhag, Senggye and Chhudzom Gewogs reported minimal damage. - Kuensel/ANN
