October 18: Thefts of copper wires from the transformers are becoming common in Thimphu. In a recent incident a 100kv transformer in Nyezer lhakhang, Thimphu was robbed of its copper wire leaving the residents without electricity. The incident happened on Monday night.

The senior manager with the Bhutan Power Corporation Sonam Gyeltshen says this is the third case in Thimphu so far.

He said such cases have never been reported before. This he said could be because the market price of the copper wires are on the rise.

The transformer supplies electricity to about 20 households of Gangchey and Ngamerongchu.

Sonam Gyeltshen said if the blackout prolongs especially at night the customers should call 125.