Agency: Heli Bhutan has been conducting multiple rescue missions since 5th October to evacuate people stranded in Denchukha, Dorokha, and Sertena under Samtse.
The operations were launched after heavy rainfall on the night of 4th October that triggered major floods in several parts of Bhutan, cutting off road access and electricity to these areas.
Those stranded included permanent residents as well as people who had stayed in the area for the Dassain Festival, including teachers and students from other dzongkhags.
Most of the people stranded received no information from the government for more than seven days after the disaster. Some needed to return to work, while students and teachers had to reach their respective destinations.
As a result, they decided to cover their own expenses and use the services of Heli Bhutan, Bhutan’s first private helicopter operator.
Most of them had to reach safer locations, and many areas still remain without electricity.
In a conversation, Suraj Tamang (name changed), who used the Heli Bhutan service, said he struggled for seven days trying to get information and reach the government, but could not receive the help he had expected. He said, “When I tried to contact the government, they said they would only assist students, teachers, and injured people, and indicated that since I came on my own, I should leave at my own expense.”
Suraj, who had traveled to Samtse (his wife’s village) to celebrate Dassain on 4th October, remained stranded until 10th October without electricity. He said most of the roads and bridges were washed away, leaving him with no way to return home or go to work.
He then decided to use Heli Bhutan’s services, however, as it is a private operator, they had to pay their own expenses, though they felt thankful for the help.
Most of them divided the cost among themselves. He said, “If those using the service were not family members, it would have been manageable, but for families: parents and children, it was very difficult to afford.”
Coordinated by Suraj, many people booked Heli Bhutan and made advance payments to leave the areas where they were stranded.
The main issue raised by the people of Samtse, including Suraj, is the government’s lack of responsibility.
Once they had used Heli Bhutan’s services on 10th October, they saw Druk Air Services arriving as well.
Many who had already paid the private operator were frustrated, as they could have used the free service, but due to a lack of information, this was not possible.
According to Suraj, even a small update from the government could have helped the people, or informing them that Druk Air Services, though delayed, would come to assist. “Most of the people, upon seeing Druk Air Services, were frustrated, as they had used their savings due to the lack of information from the government,” he said.