Fire razed a two-storey lhakhang and drasha of Chokhorthaling Goenpa in Punakha on May 19.

The lhakhag, located in Guma Gewog and about 15 kilometers from Punakha, was inaugurated in December 2014.

Dzongkhag’s disaster management officer, Tshewang Phuntsho, said that the fire started due to short circuit at about 4:15pm day before yesterday.

“As soon as we heard that there was fire, Royal Bhutan Police (RBP), De-suugs, dzongkhag disaster management committee and civil servants rushed to the goenpa,” said Tshewang Phuntsho.

The fire could be contained only by about 10:30pm.

“The fire engine could not reach the site due to bad road. The farm road was made worse by the rain that day,” said Tshewang Phuntsho.

He said that the dzongkhag on the same night provided emergency kit, food and temporary shelter to the affected people.

De-suugs, RBP, and dzongkhag officials cleaned and segregated the site yesterday.

Staff Reporter