Works are underway to divert Punatsangchhu back to its original course near Miyoethang. The Punatshangchu Hydropower Project Authority (PHPA) II and the Department of Roads (DoR) in Lobesa are carrying out the works to access the affected areas caused by the flash flood on August 6.
The swollen Phangruchhu stream in Jaroggang of Athang Gewog diverted the Punatsangchhu and caused massive damages in the area.
A kilometre of Wangdue-Tsirang highway has also been damaged with some portion of the road submerged under the river. The highway has been closed to traffic since then.
Excavators at the site are clearing the debris since Thursday. Until the river is diverted to its earlier course, people cannot make it to the affected areas and begin restoration work.
The officials are expecting to fully divert Punatsangchhu to its original course by tomorrow.
“We are trying our best to divert the river. We are closely working with the contractors of the PHPA-II and the department of roads by deploying those heavy machineries at the site,” Pemba Tenzin, the Assistant Executive Engineer of PHPA-II, said.
“About 500 metres of the road is affected, of which 300 metres are submerged under the river, which will be cleared after diverting the river course. So, only about 200 metres need to be restored. The DoR and PHPA II Project will work together to restore the Tsirang-Wangdue National Highway as soon as the river gets diverted,” Karma Tenzin, the Chief Engineer of DoR, Regional Office in Lobesa, said.
Meanwhile, with the completion of the temporary suspension bridge over Phangruchu in Jaroggang, an alternative route for transhipment between Wangdue- Tsirang will be opened from tomorrow.
“The public transport can use this alternative route until the suspension bridge at Kamechu. From there, they can transit their passengers to another vehicle,” Karma Tenzin said.
In the meantime, the search continues for the four non-Bhutanese who went missing after the flash flood on Tuesday. They were working with the project.
