Adverse weather conditions continue to disrupt air and road travel across the country. Continuous rainfall and poor visibility have not only affected flight operations at Paro International Airport but also caused multiple roadblocks and damage to infrastructure in various parts of Bhutan.
Adverse weather conditions at Paro International Airport have disrupted around 17 flights, both international and domestic. According to updates posted by Drukair, about nine international flights were either diverted or cancelled, affecting routes from Bangkok, Delhi, Dhaka, Kathmandu, and Singapore.
They posted that passengers on cancelled flights will be provided accommodation in the respective cities. Six domestic flights, including those between Paro, Bumthang, and Yonphula, were also cancelled due to poor visibility. Meanwhile, Bhutan Airlines said the day’s two flights faced delays but were able to operate later in the day.
Meanwhile, as of this morning, nine roads across the country were reported to be closed according to the Department of Surface Transport. However, the department has deployed manpower and resources at all the blocked locations, with efforts underway to clear the blocks.
In Samtse, the only connection for people in Denchukha Gewog, a locally made bamboo bridge, has been washed away. After the motorable bridge over Amochhu was washed away by the 5th October flood, the gewog remained cut off for days until the locals constructed the bamboo bridge. The gewog is once again cut off, worrying the people of the Gewog.
According to local leaders, the rain and swollen river have also affected their ongoing efforts to build a temporary bridge for vehicles.
The Bhutan Power Corporation (BPC) also reported of power outage within Thimphu due to a falling boulder that struck the pole-mounted transformer at Damchu, following incessant rainfall. For now, the power supply has been restored.
BPC also reported power outages in Lingzhi and Soe gewogs earlier today due to continuous rainfall and heavy snow. A team has been deployed to restore the power supply.
Weather forecast from the NCHM indicates heavy rainfall over the southern and a few places in the central parts of the country tomorrow. The centre also warns that due to the continuous rainfall, floods and landslides are likely in a few places in the country from tonight till Sunday.
Kelzang Chhophyel/Kinley Dem/Karma Samten Wangda
Edited by Kipchu
