A 30 to 40-metre stretch of the Phongmey District Centre road at Yudiri in Trashigang has sunk, cutting off access to Phongmey Gewog Centre for more than a week. People from three chiwogs, two from Phongmey and one from Sakteng, along with schools and park officials, are now forced to use the Sakteng road, which is about eight kilometres longer.
The road sinking began two to three years ago when the Yudiri river eroded the base of the road during the summer.
Since then, the situation has worsened every monsoon, despite attempts to restore it.
Without the connection, residents of the affected chiwogs, students, and officials of two schools and the Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary have been struggling.
“My child was sick, and I had to walk from the block point to pick him up from school. Sometimes we have to hire vehicles, which adds to the cost. Luckily, the teachers helped me this time,” said Tashi Wangdi, a resident of Merak Gewog.
Phongmey Mangmi Wangdi said, “The road is important not only for Phongmey but also for the people of Sakteng and Merak. Parents come to meet their children in schools here, and without the road, they face extra expenses and difficulties. The issue was raised during a school meeting.”
“Recently, a vehicle almost toppled at the sinking point. It has become very risky for us. If the road is maintained, all commuters will benefit greatly,” said Dawa, a resident of Phongmey Gewog.
An official from the Regional Office of the Department of Surface Transport said they restore the road whenever it gets blocked.
However, due to continuous sinking, maintenance has become increasingly difficult.
He added that an engineer who studies soil and rocks will be sent to inspect the site in winter.
For now, there are no mitigation plans.
Until the road is restored, commuters will have to continue using the longer Sakteng route to reach Phongmey Gewog Centre, located 17 kilometres from Rangjung town.
Sonam Darjay, Trashigang
Edited by Tandin Phuntsho
