His Majesty The King visited Lhuentse, where a  recent flash flood washed away 23 people. His Majesty met with the family members of the victims, and visited the site of the incident at Ungar, where search efforts are still ongoing.

His Majesty returned to the country on Sunday from an overseas visit, and travelled to the east in the wake of the disaster.

The victims were those working on the construction of the Yungichhu Hydro Power Project, and some of their visiting family members. A river flood and landslide overwhelmed the work camps on the evening of July 20. Of the 23 people, eight bodies have been recovered to date. Search and relief efforts have been ongoing since the incident, under the coordination of the Office of the Gyalpoi Zimpon.

His Royal Highness Gyaltshab Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, His Majesty’s representative in the east, who travelled to the site following the incident, accompanied His Majesty yesterday.

His Majesty met with the family members of the victims at Autsho, as well as with the Lhuentse dzongkhag officials.

The bodies of the those retrieved so far have been handed over to their families. Prayers continue to be held nationwide following the incident.

His Majesty The King granted dhar to the Maedtsho gup and the Dzongkhag Tshogdu Thrizin while in Lhuentse yesterday.
His Majesty has personally granted dhar to the gups since the first local government elections in 2011, in recognition of the importance of local leaders in service of their respective communities.
Tsenkhar Gup Tashi Penjor (right) was elected Dzongkhag Tshogdu Thrizin (Chairperson of the Dzongkhag’s highest decision making body), by the DT members in March this year.
Chedup Sonam Lhendup (right) was elected gup of Maedtsho gewog, Lhuentse, in a bye-election following the resignation of his predecessor.