1. RISK MITIGATION PROGRAMS IN BHUTAN Reezang Wangdi, Executive Engineer Tel: +975-2-328173 (O) E-mail: rwangdi__dudes@mowhs.gov.bt 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

2. 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

3. 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)

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

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

6. 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

7. 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

8.  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

9. Thank You for your kind ATTENTION

11. Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) Inventory on glaciers and glacial lakes:Inventory on glaciers and glacial lakes: - 667 glaciers - 2674 glacial lakes in Bhutan alone -24 glacial lakes have been dentified as potentially dangerous. Courtesy: Department of Geology & Mines

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

13. 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

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

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

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

17. Land slide (cont.)

18. Land Slide (cont.)

19. Land Slides

20. Land Slides (cont.)

21. Land Slide

22. Land slide Dam Downstream view of the landslide dam

23. Upstream of Land slide dam Landslide-dam