Having a proper drainage system is not all about aesthetics. Sometimes it is crucial for one’s safety. And this is true in the case of two families residing at Ri-Sharang in Monggar Gewog in Monggar. Overflowing water from a poor drainage above their homes has become a concern for the families.
In the picture above, the drain look sturdy and the water running through it small. But it is different on rainy days. 53-year-old Sangay Dema who lives just below the drain said the water swells up and debris clog the drain leading to water overflowing towards her house when it rains. There is another family who also lives in the same house. They say, they have to live in constant fear of landslide and water flooding into their homes.
Sangay Dema claims, she appealed to the dzongkhag administration several times seeking intervention. But nothing has been done so far. “I even requested the dzongkhag engineers to visit the site but they did not turn up for inspection. When I went to the Dzongda, he was sitting in his office and he scolded me for bringing out the issue time and again.”
If the situation doesn’t improve, Sangay could lose the lone tenant.
“So far, the fencing blocked the flashflood from entering the house. But the recent heavy rain has damaged the fencing. A flashflood also destroyed crops and also entered my house. We also get bad smell of sewage water. So, I am thinking I will vacate the house if things do not improve,” said Tashi Tshering, who rented a unit of the house.
An engineer from the dzongkhag municipal section said that the existing drain will be dismantled and a new 630-meter long drain will be constructed. The contract was already awarded to a contractor in June this year. The construction will begin from this month. The dzongkhag administration allocated nearly three-million ngultrum for the drain construction. It will take about six months to complete.
Sonam Tshering, Monggar
