Disaster: A semi-permanent house in Gasa town was destroyed by a landslide at around 9:30am, yesterday following continuous rainfall for several days.

No casualties were reported, however the owner of the house has lost all his belongings. The owner runs a shop in the house located below Gasa Dzong.

Gasa Dzongdag Dorji Dradhul said the dzongkhag administration along with Desuups  and locals helped the victim’s family. The affected house owner was also provided with two disaster kits and His Majesty’s Kidu semso. The family will also be provided with plastic sheets and other assistance in the coming days.

The road connecting Gasa and Punakha was also blocked by landslides at three  points: Phuensumgang, Gazapang and Domipangchu.

The dzongdag said that while the blocks at Phuensumgang and Gazapang were not huge and could be cleared by today if the weather clears up. However the Domipangchu landslide is a major one. “We are hopeful the blocks can be cleared and road opened for traffic by this evening,” said the dzongdag.

The dzongkhag has no electricity since the night of July 21 and is likely to remain cut off till this evening, as the blocks have to be cleared first so that Bhutan Power Corporation personnel can enter the dzongkhag.

The power cut is likely to have been caused due to trees falling on transmission lines. The dzongkhag suffers power cuts whenever it rains or snows.

In Lunana, a bridge connecting Lhedi village to its community forest was washed away on the morning of July 21.

While the bridge is not of immediate importance for the community, the dzongdag said the dzongkhag will rebuild it at a later time.

Dzongkhag officials are monitoring the water level of the Mochhu near the Gasa Tsachu site.

Meanwhile, officials with Department of Road in Lobesa said there were minor landslides on the Wangdue-Chusarbu road on the Wangdue-Trongsa highway that were cleared.

Dawa Gyelmo

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