Snowstorm cuts off Merak

A powerful snowstorm on February 25 blew away roofs of more than 50 houses, school buildings and a veterinary clinic in Merak, Trashigang. 

The jamtho (parts of roof) of an old temple, Samtenchholing lhakhang, and the gewog guesthouse were also damaged.But there were no casualties said the Sakten dungpa, Tshewang Tobgay, who was informed by a yak herder, who managed to get through the snow and return from Merak yesterday afternoon.

Dzongkhag officials heard about the incident three days later when the Merak mangap informed the dzongrab through telephone on Sunday.

Merak gewog, located above 4,000 m, has 247 households and is a two-day journey from Trashigang.

At this time of year, most Brokpas move down to the lower valleys with their yaks and only a few old people live in the village. The heavy snowfall made it impossible for people to get in or out of the village.

Heavy snowfall in the past week has prevented officials from getting to the gewog. “The snow is knee-deep in Sakteng itself. So we couldn’t cross over Nagchungla to Merak,” said a dungkhag official. “We’ll go in as soon as possible.”

Trashigang dzongrab, Phuntsho Gyelchen, said that an investigation team would also be sent to assess the total damage as soon as the path gets cleared.

By: Tshering Palden
Source: Kuenselonline

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