The Thimphu-Radhi public service bus has been stranded at Chamkhar bus station in Bumthang for 3 straight nights due to a roadblock at Thrumsengla pass caused by the heavy snowfall. Passengers who are mostly farmers and monks have been distressed over the situation due to unexpected expenditures for food and lodging.
It is not known when the pass will be cleared to traffic but a Department of Roads (DoR) official from Sengor Sub-Division said it is going to take at least 2 days to clear the road. The entire 30-kilometre stretch between Latongla and Serpang has been covered in thick snow measuring up to over 3 feet in some areas.
Currently, a backhoe, a tipper truck carrying de-icing salt and 10 workers are clearing the road. Only around 4-kilometre road has been cleared as of now. An additional truck and backhoe have been requested from DoR office in Lingmithang to help clear the block.
Meanwhile, three more eastbound public service buses going to Monggar, Trashigang and Lhuentse are on their way to Chamkhar from Thimphu right now.
Kipchu
