Gewogs of Langchenphu, Lauri and Serthig under Jomotshangkha Dungkhag in Samdrup Jongkhar have been living with frequent power outages. Just recently, the Dungkhag was without electricity for about 17 days. The power supply was restored on 25th September however the Dungkhag is in blackout from yesterday evening.
Bhutan Power Corporation officials in Samdrup Jongkhar say power lines and poles are mostly damaged by heavy rain and wind, and without road connection between power poles, they are not able to reach the faulty lines immediately.
Officials have to wade across the swollen rivers and trek through dense forests for days to reach faulty lines.
And villagers are frustrated with the frequent blackout.
“Before we did not have power supply only, we are grateful that we got electricity but sadly electricity is not reliable here, last time also we spent less than a month without light and today also power supply has been cut off, we are facing problem without power supply,” said Lobzang, a villager of Lauri Gewog in Jomotshangkha.
To make the matter worse, most of the shops in the Dungkhag do not have candles in stock with border closed due to COVID-19.
Meanwhile, Bhutan Power Corporation is trying to restore power supply as soon as possible.
Kinley Wangchuk
