The Trashigang Dzongkhag was hit by a major earthquake on 21st September, which caused damages to lives and properties in many of its geowgs. The earthquake which started at 2: 45pm continued for many days and tremors were felt for 27 times as of 6th October 2009. The earthquake, which was one of the biggest disasters experienced by Bhutan in the recent times and has claimed 2 lives and injured 18 people in the dzongkhag. Since the earthquake started on 21st September, the people of Trashigang have been forced to spend night out in the open.

Of the fifteen gewogs, the severely affected gewogs were yangneer followed by the Udzorong and Samkhar.

In response, the Dzongkhag Administration distributed relief materials such as tarpaulins, Emergency family kits, rations to the affected families in the gewogs. The dzongkhag also dispatched relief teams to every gewogs to provide necessary relief support to the affected victims and to assess and report the extent of damages caused.

The Dzongkhag has been assisted in its effort by the Home Ministry, led by the Hon’ble Home Minister himself, who is in the dzongkhag to coordinate relief support to all the affected 6 eastern dzongkhags. Moreover, the Office of the Gyalpoi Zimpon has fielded a team led by Dasho Zimpon wom Tashi Tobgay, who coordinates the distribution of relief materials to the 6 eastern dzongkhags

As of now, the relief operations are still underway, with more and more fresh report received every day. The dzongkhag is still updating the reports and submitting to the relevant agencies.