<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b>GEYZING,:</b><span style="font-family:&quot;Bookman Old Style&quot;,serif"> Heavy rainfall on Tuesday evening left a trail of damage across several parts of Geyzing district, creating flood-like conditions in many areas. Fortunately, no major untoward incidents were reported.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bookman Old Style&quot;,serif">The Geyzing-Legship road remained closed throughout Wednesday after a major portion of the road at Omchung was washed away by a flash flood triggered by incessant rainfall. Traffic movement was severely disrupted for the entire day as restoration work continued at the affected site.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bookman Old Style&quot;,serif">However, owing to the prompt intervention of the district administration, traffic was restored by the evening. District collector Tenzing D. Denzongpa, along with officials from concerned departments and local panchayat representatives, visited the affected site on Wednesday morning to assess the damage and oversee restoration efforts.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bookman Old Style&quot;,serif">The Geyzing-Legship road frequently faces disruptions during monsoon due to landslides and flash floods, particularly at Omchung and other vulnerable locations such as Khopa and Raniban. Residents have been demanding a permanent solution to the recurring problem for several years, but no effective measures have been implemented so far.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bookman Old Style&quot;,serif">The National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) is responsible for the maintenance and development of the Geyzing-Legship road. Frequent damage of the road and traffic disruptions continue to cause significant inconvenience to the public. During peak monsoon periods, the road often remains closed for extended durations, delaying the transportation of essential commodities. Flash floods originating from the upper reaches of the region regularly damage the road infrastructure.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bookman Old Style&quot;,serif">Apart from Omchung, major cracks have developed on a stretch of the route near Legship Bazaar, creating precarious road conditions. If timely repairs are not undertaken, further deterioration of the affected section cannot be ruled out. However, an alternative route through back-cutting has been created to facilitate traffic movement in the area.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bookman Old Style&quot;,serif">Similarly, heavy rainfall has partially damaged portions of the Geyzing-Tikjuk road, particularly along a two-kilometre stretch where sections remain unpaved and lack an adequate drainage system.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bookman Old Style&quot;,serif">Meanwhile, residents of Geyzing Bazaar endured flood-like conditions on Tuesday evening, resulting in a sleepless night for many. The accumulation of rainwater exposed serious shortcomings in the town’s drainage and sewage infrastructure. Due to inadequate drainage capacity and excessive runoff, several drains overflowed, causing waterlogging in different parts of the bazaar and creating inconvenience for residents and business establishments alike.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bookman Old Style&quot;,serif">Rainwater flowing from the upper areas above Geyzing Bazaar frequently inundates residential localities during intense rainfall. Excess runoff often flows directly onto roads, creating stream-like currents through the town. In addition, nearby seasonal streams regularly overflow during the monsoon season, exposing residential areas to the risk of flash floods.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bookman Old Style&quot;,serif">Residents have long been demanding the development of a comprehensive and efficient drainage and sewage system. However, despite recurring incidents of waterlogging and flooding during the monsoon, the issue remains unresolved.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bookman Old Style&quot;,serif">“The existing drainage and sullage infrastructure in the town is inadequate to accommodate the large volume of rainwater during intense spells of rainfall. We feel that the administration should initiate an effective and long-term project to address this recurring problem. With the town’s population expected to grow in the coming years, the situation is likely to worsen if timely measures are not taken,” said a resident of Geyzing Bazaar.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bookman Old Style&quot;,serif">Another resident pointed out that proper management and maintenance of drainage systems in the areas above Geyzing Bazaar would significantly reduce the risk of flash floods and waterlogging during the monsoon season.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bookman Old Style&quot;,serif">Residential areas located below the main bazaar, including Pandey Colony, situated on a steep hillside, also remain vulnerable to flash floods during the monsoon. A stream flowing adjacent to the settlement frequently swells during heavy rainfall, increasing the risk of flash floods and landslides in the surrounding areas.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bookman Old Style&quot;,serif">Residents have expressed concern over the threat posed by the overflowing stream and have urged the concerned authorities to implement preventive measures.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bookman Old Style&quot;,serif">Geyzing Bazaar has been grappling with inadequate drainage and sullage infrastructure for several years. Nevertheless, residents remain hopeful that the administration will eventually undertake a comprehensive and sustainable project to improve the town’s drainage and sewage systems and provide a long-term solution to the persistent problem.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bookman Old Style&quot;,serif">Damage to standing crops due to heavy rainfall was also reported from several parts of the district. However, no loss of life, major property damage, or large-scale landslides have been reported so far.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bookman Old Style&quot;,serif">&nbsp;</span></p><p> </p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:&quot;Bookman Old Style&quot;,serif">&nbsp;<o:p></o:p></span></p>

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