RISK MITIGATION PROGRAMS IN BHUTAN Reezang Wangdi, Executive Engineer Tel: (O) Regional Conference: Hazards of Nature, Risks and Opportunities for Development Dec 19-20, New Delhi, India DEPARTMENT OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT & ENGINEERING SERVICES MINISTRY OF WORKS & HUMAN SETTLEMENT (MoWHS) THIMPHU, BHUTAN

Disaster Mitigation and Preparedness Overview  Various sectors and Agencies have initiated to develop Hazard Risk Management programs specific to their work environment  Bhutan is in the process of developing National Disaster Risk Management Framework (NDRMF)  National Committee for Disaster Management (NCDM) is in place to work on NDRMF

Disaster Mitigation and Preparedness NDRMF Objective  Relief centered approach to Disaster Mitigation programs  Different Sectors have their roles for Risk Management  To build on-going activities in different development sectors  To integrate cross-cutting issues & disaster risk programs  Focal Institutional Agency for Disaster Risk Management (DRM)

Disaster Mitigation and Preparedness NDRMF Approach  Address Disaster risks from all natural hazards  Enhance coordination and information sharing  Maximize the support from development partners

Hazard Risks in BHUTAN ’ s context  Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF)  Landslides  Earthquakes  Fires  Flash Floods Disaster Mitigation and Preparedness

Risk Mitigation programs  Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) hazard zoning  Thimphu Valley Earthquake Risk Management (TVERM)  City Disaster Risk Management Plans for two major urban centers  National Adaptation Program of Action (NAPA) to identify urgent adaptation interventions for climate change eventualities  Land Management & Food Security Plans  Landslides Management

National Disaster Risk Management Framework to be institutionalized & then undertake: National Disaster Risk Management Framework to be institutionalized & then undertake:  Strengthening institutional mechanism for DRM  Capacity building for DRM at local & intermediate levels  Knowledge Management & Partnerships  Mainstreaming DRM in development Future Actions/Programs Disaster Mitigation and Preparedness

 US$ 3.5 Million committed by Global Environment Fund (GEF) for GLOF Project  For hazard zonation mapping & assessment of early warning systems  UN office in Bhutan may provide some fund  to continue TVERM Project Mitigation Investments Disaster Mitigation and Preparedness

Thank You for your kind ATTENTION

Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) Inventory on glaciers and glacial lakes:Inventory on glaciers and glacial lakes: glaciers glacial lakes in Bhutan alone -24 glacial lakes have been dentified as potentially dangerous. Courtesy: Department of Geology & Mines

Location of potentially Dangerous Glacial Lakes in Bhutan Courtesy: Department of Geology & Mines

GLOF (cont.) 90°15′ 28°05′ 0 1km 90°15′ 28°05′ N Courtesy: Department of Geology & Mines Bechung Glacier Raphstreng Tsho Thorthormi Luggye Tsho Luggye Glacier

GLOF (cont.) Destruction of parts of Punakha Dzong by GLOF of 1994 Courtesy: Department of Geology & Mines

GLOF (cont.) Impact of 1994 flood on one of the oldest temples in front of Punakha Dzong. Courtesy: Department of Geology & Mines

GLOF (cont.)  1994 GLOF and its effect: - Loss of lives – human, cattle - Damages to dzong, bridges, houses, rice field. Courtesy: Department of Geology & Mines

Land slide (cont.)

Land Slide (cont.)

Land Slides

Land Slides (cont.)

Land Slide

Land slide Dam Downstream view of the landslide dam

Upstream of Land slide dam Landslide-dam