Continuous landslides along the Deling–Marpji route in Phuentshogling Gewog have cut off access to more than 120 households. The landslide, which began about a week ago and remains active, has made clearance impossible as stones continue to fall, hampering efforts by relevant authorities.
Residents of Deling–Marpji grow more concerned each day as they remain cut off. They say the landslide has been active for a week, adding to their worry as essential supplies run low.
“We walked to the nearest road point to come here, and it took us two hours. To walk back carrying the essentials would be very difficult. We have to buy our rations from the town and carry them up to our homes. So if the road can be cleared at the earliest, it will help a lot,” said Gambirey Raj, Resident, Deling-Marpji, Phuentshogling Gewog, Chhukha.
“It has been many days since we have been cut off. We don’t have an alternate route, and we don’t know what to do if any emergency comes up. We depend on vegetable farming and poultry farming. Due to the block, we have been unable to take any of this produce to the market,” said Netra Singh Ghalay, Resident, Deling-Marpji, Phuensthogling Gewog, Chhukha.
“Because of the roadblock, our villages are struggling. Vehicles have been stuck here in the village, and we have been unable to take farm produce to the market,” said Til Man Rai, Resident, Deling-Marpji, Phuentshogling Gewog, Chhukha.
“We have a poultry and piggery farm. Without accessibility, we could not take home animal feeds. Without road accessibility, it takes five hours to reach Phuentshogling town and returning takes even longer,” said Tara Man Ghalay, Resident, Deling-Marpji, Phuentshogling Gewog, Chhukha.
“A disaster like this at this time is unexpected. With such a disaster, it is risky even for the settlements downstream. There are also settlements above the sliding areas, which now remain just a few meters away from the slide area, and we have instructed them to vacate,” said Purna Bdr Ghalay, Deling-Marpji Tshogpa, Phuentshogling Gewog, Chhukha.
People are requesting the gewog to explore an alternative route. However, the gewog administration says, constructing a new route would be time-consuming, adding that clearing the existing road would be better.
Officials from the Dungkhag, who have visited the site, say clearance is currently impossible due to continuous falling boulders.
“The slide is huge and still active, so it is impossible for us to clear the road at the moment. These areas are not safe and remain unstable with frequent sliding. So, we are planning to do proper research on the area,” said Karma Jurmi, Phuentshogling Dungpa, Chhukha.
For now, people of Deling-Marpji chiwog have no option but to wait for the sliding to subside.
Kinley Dem, Chhukha
Edited by Phub Gyem
