(UPDATE) The Gelephu-Zhemgang is still blocked for the fourth day yesterday. Additional men and machinery have been deployed at the site to clear the blocks at the earliest. However, road officials say that falling boulders and mudslides are hampering the clearing works.
Several blockages have been reported at six different locations. Our reporter, Pema Samdrup, says that about three blockages have been partially cleared this morning but works are still continuing on the two major blockages.
According to road officials, one of the major blockages has occurred some 29 Kilometres away from Gelephu. About 80 metres of the road structures needed to reconstructed, requiring heavy machinery and blasting. The officials said that it might take another 4 to 5 days.
Another major blockage has occurred some 15 Kilometres from Gelephu. Our reporter, who had been to the site earlier today, described the area as marshy. As a result continuous sinking of the road has proven difficult for workers and the machinery to clear the road.
Meanwhile, people stranded in Gelephu are traveling via Wangdi – Trongsa lateral highway and those in the area are travelling on foot.
