Flood protection chart

This is the time Bhutan experiences serious of flashfloods and landsides especially in southern and eastern Bhutan due to set in of strong monsoon. We see many reports of landslides, roadblock in the social media causing great hardship to the people.  

Please kindly note that the force of six inches of swiftly moving water can knock people off their feet. The best protection during a flood is to leave the area and go to shelter on higher ground.

Flash flood waters move at very fast speeds and can roll boulders, tear out trees, destroy buildings, and obliterate bridges. Never try to cross landslide when it rains. Walls of water can reach heights of 10 to 20 feet and generally are accompanied by a deadly cargo of debris. We experienced this at Pasakha recently; the new bridge was totally covered by debris.

The best response to any signs of flash flooding is to move immediately and quickly to higher ground. Cars can be easily be swept away in just 2 feet of moving water. If floodwaters rise around a car, it should be abandoned. Passengers should climb to higher ground. Never take chance to cross-floodwater; it is different from the normal flowing river, where you can cross the same.

People particularly at risk are those located in low-lying areas, near rivers, landslides prone area and downstream from a dam. Floods are the most common and widespread of all natural disasters, except fire.

Flash floods usually result from intense storms dropping large amounts of rain within a brief period. Flash floods occur with little or no warning and can reach full peak in only a few minutes. This results in heavy landslides.

Precautions to Be Taken
Learn flood-warning signs and your community alert signals. Check social media on weather forecast. National Center for Hydrology and Meteorology usually gives updates on weathers.

Royal Bhutan Police also gives up to date updates on the status of road blocked due to landslides. Plan your journey based on such reliable information.

Flood protection by Buddhist chakra

Ever since since such disasters were creeping us in the country I was looking for some religious solution. I am happy to find the flood protection chart from my friend in Russia H.E Oleg Filippov (www.dharmalib.ru) and is shared below:  

Flood protection chart

This wheel-chakra must be placed in a small stupa and consecrated. If you put, staying inside the building, during a hail, close to the ground where the flood occurs, the damage from the flood will be averted and you will be protected.

Stay Safe.