Kelzang Wangchuk | Samdrupjongkhar

The landslides blocking the Samdrupjongkhar-Trashigang highway at various points have been cleared and the highway opened to traffic at around 2pm yesterday. The Project DANTAK workers started clearing works early yesterday morning.

Chief engineer with the Department of Road’s (DoR) regional office in Samdrupjongkhar, Kinzang Wangchuk, said the poor weather conditions and continuous rain hampered the clearing work.

Given the incessant rain for the past three days, he said that there were chances of the highway getting blocked again if the rain does not stop.

Kinzang Wangchuk said that the Project DANTAK workers responded in time and rescued stranded passengers and a bolero which was buried by a landslide near Lemsorong on June 16 night.

Meanwhile, several blocks along the Tshelingor-Khothakpa were cleared but the mudslides recur due to the continuous rain blocking the road again. About six blocks were reported along the Pemagatshel-Nganglam highway.

The blocks along the Nganglam-Panbang and Dewathang-Samdrupchoeling highways were also cleared.

“Since the roads remain blocked frequently at this time of the year, people should avoid unnecessary travelling or contact concerned officials to plan their travels,” Kinzang Wangchuk said.