Surviving the Aftermath of Heavy Snowfall in Merak, Bhutan: A Story of Tackling Loss and Damage

The document details the challenges faced by the semi-nomadic Brokpa community in Merak, Bhutan, following an unprecedented heavy snowfall in the winter of 2022. It focuses on Ms. Pema Wangmo, a shopkeeper and mother who experienced the destruction of her greenhouse and the threat of roof collapses. The case study emphasizes the role of community support in rebuilding and argues for the necessity of steel-based infrastructure and better communication networks to enhance resilience against worsening climate impacts in remote highland areas.

• The Merak village, located at 3,500 meters, is inhabited by the indigenous Brokpa people, who are semi-nomadic yak herders facing environmental risks including extreme cold, landslides, and heavy snowfall.
• In the winter of 2022, the region experienced one of its heaviest snowfalls in recent history, which caused the destruction of both individual and community-owned greenhouses.
• Extreme weather conditions led to severe livelihood disruptions, including the risk of roof collapses on businesses and restricted access to essential food, water, and fuel due to the settlement's isolation.
• While community-led repairs using wooden pillars and cellotape provided immediate relief, there is a identified need for more durable steel infrastructure and improved communication networks to build long-term resilience.

APA

Lhamo, T. (2023). Surviving the Aftermath of Heavy Snowfall in Merak, Bhutan: A Story of Tackling Loss and Damage. Global Resilience Partnership. https://www.globalresiliencepartnership.org/surviving-the-aftermath-of-heavy-snowfall-in-merak-bhutan-a-story-of-tackling-loss-and-damage/

Chicago

Lhamo, Tshering. Surviving the Aftermath of Heavy Snowfall in Merak, Bhutan: A Story of Tackling Loss and Damage. Global Resilience Partnership, 2023. https://www.globalresiliencepartnership.org/surviving-the-aftermath-of-heavy-snowfall-in-merak-bhutan-a-story-of-tackling-loss-and-damage/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Lhamo |first1=Tshering |title=Surviving the Aftermath of Heavy Snowfall in Merak, Bhutan: A Story of Tackling Loss and Damage |publisher=Global Resilience Partnership |date=4 July 2023 |url=https://www.globalresiliencepartnership.org/surviving-the-aftermath-of-heavy-snowfall-in-merak-bhutan-a-story-of-tackling-loss-and-damage/ |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{lhamo2023surviving, author = {Lhamo, Tshering}, title = {{Surviving the Aftermath of Heavy Snowfall in Merak, Bhutan: A Story of Tackling Loss and Damage}}, institution = {Global Resilience Partnership}, year = {2023}, month = jul, url = {https://www.globalresiliencepartnership.org/surviving-the-aftermath-of-heavy-snowfall-in-merak-bhutan-a-story-of-tackling-loss-and-damage/}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }