Villagers of Telung village at Dechhenling Gewog in Pema Gatshel are waiting for flood mitigation measures along the Sokporong stream. The stream swells during monsoon posing risk to the village. Telung village is located near the Sokporong stream. While the Gewog had intended to start river dredging as a preventive measure, the plan has been hindered by certain formalities. The issue was raised during the recent Dzongkhag Tshogdu.
Villagers said the course of the stream keeps on changing during monsoon which results in damage to the agricultural land.
“The unpredictable shifting of the stream’s course has brought it close to our settlement. We have submitted a letter to the Gewog office for the construction of a protection wall. Moreover, the stream has caused damage to the land of one household towards Migkuri village. On this side, it has adversely affected the land of two or three households,” said Nima Tshering, a resident.
“The stream flows near our village and it is washing away the land every year. This year, the stream started damaging my land. Sometimes, we fear that a flood may wash us away at night,” said Jigme Wangchuk, another resident.
During the recent Dzongkhag Tshogdu, Dechhenling Gup said the Gewog administration has allocated a budget for river dredging works this year. He said though they have plans to construct a protection wall, they opted for river dredging due to budget constraints.
“Since the area falls under the Department of Surface Transport and NRDCL, we could not get the permit from the offices. This monsoon the swollen stream has changed its course and posed threats,” said Jimba Phuntsho, Dechhenling Gup.
However, an official from the Department of Surface Transport in Nganglam said according to the law, river dredging cannot be conducted near a bridge.
The official emphasised that dredging near a bridge could undermine its foundation. However, the official clarified that considering the Sokporong bridge’s dimensions, performing river dredging work is unlikely to compromise the bridge’s base.
The Dzongkhag Tshogdu decided that officials from Dungkhag, Gewog and other relevant agencies will meet at the earliest to resolve the issue.
There are around 10 households settled near the Sokporong stream.
Thinley Dorji, Pema Gatshel
Edited by Tshering Zam
