Tshering Namgyal  

Given the frequent fire incidents that cause huge property losses and threaten lives,  local leaders in Mongar proposed a firefighting engine for the gewogs in the Drametse-Ngatshang demkhong.

At the recent Dzongkhag Tshogdu (DT), Ngatshang Gup Ugyen Yangzom said that the house fire incidences in the region are increasing every year and a fire engine at the Yadi police station would benefit residents immensely by saving property and lives.




A recent fire incident at Yadi town engulfed three three-storey traditional buildings leaving eight families homeless. “If there was a fire fighting engine on time, it could have helped save properties.”

Ugyen Yangzom said a fire fighting facility at Yadi would benefit the seven neighbouring gewogs like Sherimung, Balam, Chaskhar, Thangrong, Drametse and Narang.

Sherimung Gup Dorji, who was present during the fire incident at Yadi, said the fire fighting engines from Mongar, Trashigang, and Lhuentse took about two hours to reach the site.

“We could have saved many things if these engines reached on time,” he said.




Mongar Police informed the DT that they were also concerned about the issue and stated that they submitted a request for an engine to the RBP headquarters. “The need is genuine and we are hopeful it would come,” a police officer said.

DT Chairperson Karma Sonam Wangchuk said firefighting engines would help contain forest fires near settlements as well which have become rampant recently in the region.

The DT resolved to submit the resolution to the RBP headquarters.