Heavy rainfall has disrupted road network across the country. Landslides and falling boulders have caused several blockages along the highways, stranding numerous travellers. While many of the blocks were cleared today, works to clear other blocks are still going on.
In Thimphu, passenger buses scheduled to head to eastern region this morning remained stranded at the bus terminal near RSTA building. The continuous rainfall has also caused overflow of drain water along some parts of the roads in the city.
In Bumthang, blockage removing works are underway at Khandupang which is 65 kilometres away from Chamkhar town towards Monggar. However, the block is expected to be cleared today.
In Trongsa, officials say they would take at least 2 or 3 more days to clear the block at Dzongkhalumpa along Trongsa-Zhemgang highway. Meanwhile the roadblock at Reotala is expected to be cleared by tomorrow.
The roadblock at Ossey along the Gelephu – Zhemgang highway which had remained blocked since Sunday was cleared for trthis afternoon. However, frequent landslides and falling boulders are being reported along the same highway. The Department of Roads has stationed excavator machines to clear any forthcoming blocks.
Meanwhile vehicles are now being allowed to travel to Phuentsholing via Gelephu – Assam highway. The entry into the Indian highway had been closed yesterday after the flood damaged a bridge between Kachugaon and Safanguri in India.
In Monggar, works are still being carried out to clear a major block at Yadi which is located 17 kilometres from Monggar town towards Trashigang. Officials said the road would be open to traffic by a day or two.
In Pema Gatshel, several roadblocks have also been reported along the Pema Gatshel-Nganglam highway. An excavator has been deployed to clear the blockage but road officials said falling boulders are impeding their works.
Around 700 vehicles have still got stucked in Narphung, located 64 kilometres from Samdrup Jongkhar towards Trashigang. A huge boulder measuring the size of a one- storied house has completely blocked the highway. Workers are in the process of clearing it using explosives.
The highway between Trongsa and Wangdue has been cleared. The block at Norbooding in Wangdue which had occurred yesterday evening was cleared today. The block at Rukoobji has also been cleared.
