With the onset of the monsoon season, residents of Thanggoo Chiwog under Thedtsho Gewog in Wangdue Phodrang raise the need for a river embankment. This, they say, would prevent flooding in their area when the Punatshangchhu swells. With no embankment, residents fear the swollen river poses threat to human life, livestock and crops.
People fear the situation will be the same as in the past years if nothing is done.
“It is a peak season of summer and we do not have peace of mind. We frequently receive information about the 24 hours rainfall. We are deprived of sleep during this time of the year as we have to constantly get up at the night and check the water level.” said Tashi Phuntsho, a resident in the chiwog.
“We keep a stick at the riverside to check the river level. And we do this turn wise. We are extremely worried,” said Leki Tshering, another resident.
“We have sleepless nights especially at this time of the year. And the summer has just begun. We are worried,” added Budha Raj Subba, another resident.
“I requested the gewog office several times to construct an embankment wall along the riverside since 2004. But Gewog could not do anything due to budget constraints. There is nothing we can do when there is no budget from the government,” added Chencho, Thanggoo Chiwog Tshogpa.
Athang-Thedtsho MP, Kinley Wangchuk, recently questioned the works and human settlement minister, Dorji Tshering regarding the issue in the parliament.
“The area has a high risk of posing threats to the life of people as the water from Punatshangchhu enters into the fields whenever the river gets swollen. The government had granted funds for the road widening works but the requirement for a river embankment in the area is dire. So, how is the government planning to solve the problem?”
“First, to construct the embankment, we need to construct a highway and raise its height. And for this, we need to construct a tunnel underneath to let the water flow through. But with the tunnel, there is a chance of water flowing back to the fields. Thus, a concrete solution is needed and we have decided to visit the site along with the experts this summer,” said the minister.
The Minister added the river embankment construction was not included in the ongoing Bajo-Khuruthang highway widening works. This is because the Punatsangchhu-I Hydroelectric Project Authority submitted a proposal to the government for the embankment construction.
The project authority agreed to construct the river embankment considering the back-flow of the river from its dam. However, the arrangement between the government and the authority got changed.
Currently, the police are monitoring the water level of the river in the area and sensitizing the nearby residents about the risks of flooding. Being vigilant is the only option for the residents now until a permanent solution is found.
Changa Dorji, Wangdue Phodrang
