Connectivity: Landslides caused by the continuous rainfall on the night of June 12 has closed the Phuentsholing gewog road.

The landslides have washed away portions of the road at several points. The gewog connectivity road that starts at Bangay Bazaar along the Amochhu embankment was washed away just above the area.

A resident of Pachhutar in Phuentsholing gewog, Golay Lepcha, said that while there is an alternative road to Lokchina, it has also been blocked at several points.

“I have walked for about one-and-a-half hour to reach Bangay Bazaar,” he said. “It is a difficult walk.”

Some villagers also shared that the electricity voltage is low in Pachhutar and other nearby areas due to the heavy rainfall.

The 3km gewog road is located in a geologically weak area and during the rainy season it is usually blocked.

Phuentsholing thromde is also facing a tough task in maintaining the roads in Pipal Dara and Kabreytar.  Minor landslides have been affecting the areas.

However, the heavy rainfall on the night of June 12 has caused more damage. Residents of Pipal Dara and Kabreytar had to leave their vehicles at home early yesterday.

While the thromde has cleared the roads in affected areas, pedestrians say the soil in these areas is weak and poses a risk.

Construction work carried out by the thromde below Rakhaldara had caused large amounts of gravel and soil to slide onto the road every time there was rainfall. The thromde has been attempting to clean the area but has met with little success.

“I think thromde needs to do something solid,” a Pipal Dara resident said.

It has not yet been determined when the blocked roads will be cleared.

Rajesh Rai | Phuentsholing