The Thimphu Thromde is planning to temporarily relocate its workers living near the Dechen-zam to Langjophaka following continuous landslides in the area. With the monsoon season at its peak, residents say they don’t feel safe living there. The settlement came under severe threat after a landslide nearly swept away a house on the 22nd of last month.
Just last week a toilet was swept away by the landslide. And a house, that now sits precariously on the edge of the cliff, will also meet the same fate at any time. The family living there went to live with their relatives after the first landslide. The Thromde has now relocated the family along with two households to Babesa last week after continuous rainfall and landslides in the area.
Today about 12 families are still living there in fear.
That is not all. They say they might have to also battle a flash flood during heavy rainfall from the small water flowing right above the settlement. They are now hoping that the thromde relocate them to a safer place without much delay.
“I have been working under the Thromde for the last 11 years. I cannot afford to build my own house with the income I earn. I have to stay wherever the thromde relocate us. We were told that the Thromde will relocate us very soon. We hope the thromde relocates us before something serious happen here,” said Rinzin Dorji, a daily wage worker under the Thimphu Thromde.
“We are afraid to live here after the recent landslide. However, we are now relieved after the Thromde told us that we will be relocated to Langjophaka soon,” added Ganesh Kumar Rai.
The workers have been living there for the last three decades. With the area susceptible to landslides due to the road widening works over the years, they have been requesting the Thromde to relocate them for years.
According to the Thromde, the construction of temporary houses for the workers is underway in Langjophakha. For now, apart from the ground levelling works, nothing much is happening at the site.
Meanwhile, Thromde’s plan to construct 12 units in Motithang and 20 units in Babesa for its daily wage workers is also recently approved. However, Thromde says it will be some time before the plan materialised since it is difficult to get the construction materials amid the pandemic.
Sonam Tenzin
Edited by Sonam
