Heavy snowfall in the highlands has delayed the journey home for many Layaps. As is the practice, every year, they migrate to warmer places to escape the harsh winter in the highlands.
Ritsa, a village in Punakha, is one of the most preferred places for the Layaps to spend their winter. Normally, by this time of year, most of them would have returned home.
“We usually go back after Punakha Domchoe or Tshechu. But this year, we had to stay longer due to heavy snowfall along the way. The snow at Damji is yet to melt. It has blocked our way,” Kinley Dorji said.
“We got delayed by two weeks. We heard the road is still risky to travel with loaded trucks or horses. There are chances of accidents. We are waiting for the snow to melt,” Dema said.
Despite the risks, some Layaps are travelling back. They cannot afford to stay back any longer since they have school going children.
Laya Central School reopens from March 1.
“By any means, we have to reach home before the school reopens. If we do not make it on time, we will be penalized. For each day, we will have to contribute labour for five days,” Pema said
Laya Gup Lhakpa Tshering said the road clearing works are underway. However, due to snowfall at nights, it is difficult to clear the snow completely.
There are 262 households in Laya.
