Disclaimer
This report was compiled by an ADRC visiting researcher (VR) from ADRC
member countries.
The views expressed in the report do not necessarily reflect the views ofthe ADRC. The boundaries and names shown and the designations usedon the maps in the report also do not imply official endorsement or
acceptance by the ADRC.

Visiting Researcher Program (VR 2014B)
Asian Disaster Reduction Center (ADRC)
Kobe, JapanCountry Presentation on Disaster Management in Bhutan

Visiting Researchers Program(FY2014B)

Presentation Outline
1. Brief Introduction about Bhutan
2 Natural Hazards in Bhutan
2.
3. Recent Major Disaster Events
4. Overview of Disaster Management Policy and System inBhutan
5. Budget for the Department of Disaster Management
6. Progress of the Implementation of HFA 1
7. Recent Major Projects on DRR
8 Challenges
8.
Ch ll
9. Way forward
10. Research plan
Visiting Researchers Program(FY2014B)

About Bhutan: Location

BhutanGeographic coordinates: latitudes 26˚
26 40
40’N
N & 2828˚ 1515’N
Nlongitudes 88˚ 45'E & 92˚ 10’E.
Visiting Researchers Program(FY2014B)

Facts About Bhutan
Location:Tibet(China)in the north and India in the East West and South

AreaPopulation
opu at oAltitude: 38,394 sq. Km: 745,153,((NSB,, 2014)): Varies from 150m to 7553m above sea level

Capital: Thimphu

District(Province) : 20 Numbers
National Languageg g : Dzongkhag
Currency: Ngultrum( 100Yen = 53Ngultrum)

Religion: Mahayana Buddhism and Hinduism

Political System: King is Head of State and Government is elected by
the Parliament for five year term

Climate: Four seasons (Spring, summer, Autumn & Winter)

National Tree

: Cypress

National Bird

: RavenVisiting Researchers Program(FY2014B)

Facts About Bhutan
National Animal : Takin
National Flower : Blue PoppyNational Day: 17th December (Every year)
National Game : Archery
Ar herNational Dress : Gho for Men and Kira for Women
National Dish: Red Rice and Ema Datshi ( Cheese and Chilles)
National Flag
: Upper Half yellow and lower half Orange color withDragon in the middle.
National Emblem : contained in a circle, is composed of a double
diamond thunderbolt placed above a lotus.

Visiting Researchers Program(FY2014B)

Natural Hazards in Bhutan
Earthquakes
Bhutan is located in one of themost active seismic zones( Zones IV &V)
Past earthquakes – September
2009 and 2011
Lives lost and major damage
to property and infrastructure

Visiting Researchers Program(FY2014B)

Natural Hazards in Bhutan
Glacial Lake Outburst Flood(GLOF) (Mountain Tsunami)
 GLOFs: 25 lakes potentially
dangerous 2794 glacial lakes in Bhutan, 562
are associated with glaciers GLOF flash flood hazards likely
to increase in intensity with theimpacts
pof climate changeg
 Major GLOF incidences - 1957,
1960 19941960,
 Big threat to lives & livelihoodof people in valleys
alle s and lowlo
lying river plains
Visiting Researchers Program(FY2014B)

Natural Hazards in Bhutan
Fires: Forest/structures

June 2012 Wangduephodrang
Dzong lost to fire
Many forest fires during thedry season
Chamkhar town burnt downin three consecutive fires

Visiting Researchers Program(FY2014B)

Natural Hazards in Bhutan
Fires: Forest/structures(BEFORE)
June 2012 Wangduephodrang
Dzong lost to fire
Many forest fires during thedry season
Chamkhar town burnt downin three consecutive fires

Visiting Researchers Program(FY2014B)

Natural Hazards in Bhutan
Windstorm
2011 Windstorm and 2013
Windstorm damaged
thousands of rural home roofs

Visiting Researchers Program(FY2014B)

Natural Hazards in Bhutan
Landslides
Steep terrain and due to theroad construction, Bhutan
experiences manylandslides during the rainyseasonVisiting Researchers Program(FY2014B)

Natural Hazards in Bhutan

FloodsRecurrent phenomena inBhutan
2004 monsoon in Eastern
Bhutan caused loss: 9lives, 29 houses and 664
acres of land washedaway

Visiting Researchers Program(FY2014B)

Natural Hazards in Bhutan
Epidemics, Pests and Diseases

Avian flu and otherpandemic
Pests,Damages to crops bywild animals etcDrought

Visiting Researchers Program(FY2014B)

Recent Major Disaster Events
EventsFlash Flood ( precipitated by Cyclone Aila) May 2009
Earthquake - 21st September, 2009
Wamrong town Fire, October 2009
Chamkhar Town Fires (1st – 26th Oct. 2010), 2nd – 18th Feb, 2011 & 3rd – 27th May,
2011
Windstorm (2010 – 2011)
Earthquake – 18th September, 2011
Wangdue Dzong Fire (24th June 2012)
Wi d tWindstorm(15th December,Db 2013)
Visiting Researchers Program(FY2014B)

Disaster Relief and Recovery Coordination
EventsType of Relief ProvidedRemarks

Flash flood (precipitatedby Cyclone Aila), May2009

9 Nu. 34,665,000 (cashcompensation

Mobilized from ACO for crop &Livestock loss and repair ofIrrigationi i & schools
h lEarthquake – 21stSeptember, 2009

9 32,953 CGI Sheets
99,268 Tarpaulin sheets
9 school in a tent
9 5,688 standing trees
9 3,000 Family Kits
9Insurance claims

Nu. 562,728,000 mobilized
through various Donors

Wamrong town Fire,October 2009

9 Nu. 3,600,000 forreconstruction
9Nu. 179,000 for immediate
relief
9Insurance claims

Chamkhar Town Fires (1st 9 Restoration of water supply– 26th October, 2010))& Sanitation
9 Familyy kits
9Insurance
Visiting Researchers Program(FY2014B)

Nu. 32,06,406 mobilized for thework (IFRC)
Full reconstruction byy HM
Secretariat and RGOB
USD 80,000 (UNDP) for CGIsheets

Disaster Relief and Recovery Coordination
EventsType of Relief ProvidedRemarks

2nd and 3rd Chamkhar 9 Royalty free timber andTown Fires (18th Febinsuranceth& 27 May 2011 resp.)) 9 Familyl kkits
Windstorm (2010 –2011)

9 31,126 CGI Sheets
9 2,979 Tarpaulin sheets

USD 50,000 (UNOCHA) for2010 windstorm andinsurance claims

Earthquake – 18thSSeptember,b 202011

9 49,528 CGI Sheets
9 2,050
2 0 0 Dignity
i i Kits
i95,000 Emergency kits
9100 school in a tent
9Royalty free timber
9Insurance claims

USD 825,500 + Nu 11,609,000
mobilized
bili d throughhh various
iDonors

Wangdue Dzong Fire(24th June 2012)

9 USD 50
50,000000

UN-OCHAWindstorm (15th Dec.
2013)

9USD 50,000

UNOCHA

Visiting Researchers Program(FY2014B)

Disaster Management System in Bhutan

1. About the Department
pof Disaster Managementgandadministrative system
2. Legalg system
yand Framework
3. Structure of Disaster management in Bhutan

Visiting Researchers Program(FY2014B)

About Department of Disaster Management (DDM)-Created in 2005 as a small Division under the Department of Local
Governance-Upgraded
Ud d to ffullll fledged
fl d d Department
Dini AugustA
2008
VisionPromote a Safe and Happy Bhutan through Disaster Risk Reduction Initiatives
in line with the Royal Government of Bhutan’s policy of Gross National
Happiness(GNH)
Mission-Raise
R i awareness on disasterdi t risksi k andd theirth i mitigation/prevention
iti ti /ti att allll levels.
l l-Facilitate pro-active & decentralized disaster management at all levels.
-Enhance and strengthen capacities of disaster management
authorities/committees at all levels.
The Department of Disaster Management is the National Coordinating
Agency for disaster management in the Country.
Visiting Researchers Program(FY2014B)

Function of Department of Disaster Management(DDM)
Major Functions
Lay down the disaster management strategic policy framework.
Ensure thatEth t agencies
i mainstreami tdisasterdi t riski k reduction
d ti intoi t theirth i development
d lt plans,
lpolicies, programs and projects.
p the National Plan,, formulate National Standards,, Guidelines and Standard
PrepareOperating Procedures for disaster management, in coordination with relevant Agencies;
Facilitate preparation and implementation of Disaster Management and Contingency
PlPlans
att allll levels;l lFacilitate and coordinate setting up of Disaster Management Institutions and Critical
Disaster Managementg
Facilities and ensure their functioning,g,Collaborate with Government of other countries, legitimate International organizations,International Non-governmental organizations, Business establishments or Volunteer
groups identified
id tifi d bby ththe NNationalti l Di
Disastert Management
Mt Authority;A th itFacilitate and coordinate International disaster response, relief and recovery assistance;
Coordinate
C
di t andd supportt Dzongkhag
Dkh DisasterDi t Management
Mt Committees
Cittd i disasterduring
di t
response and relief operations, including recovery and reconstruction
Visiting Researchers Program(FY2014B)

Organization Chart of Department of Disaster Management
DirectorPAPreparedness &Mitigation Division
Chief Program Officer - 1
Program Officer-1
Asst. Program Officer - 3(1 on studies & one on deputation)

CPO ………………2Offtg.
ff CPO…….....1
PO………………...3
Asst. PO………….6
Dy. Exe, Engg…...1ICT………………..2Support staff……..8Response and Early Warning
Division
Chief Program Officer - 1Program
gOfficer-1
Asst. Program Officer - 2(1 on studies)

23 +1

Visiting Researchers Program(FY2014B)

ICT&GISC &G S Uniti
Program Officer - 1
ICT Officer-1
ICT Associate-1
JICA Sr. Volunteer - 1

Administration Unit
Sr. Adm. Asst. - 1p-1
Sr. Dispatcher
Messenger-1
Drivers-4

Relief andReconstruction Division
Offtg. Chief Program Officer -1
Dy. Ex. Engineer-1Asst. Program Officer-120 DDMO
1 CPO
1 POPreparedness or Capacity Development Program
1. Community Based Disaster Risk Management (CBDRM) Training
2. Workshop on Disaster Preparedness and Response for Safe School andconduct of Mock Drills
3. Mainstreaming DRR into Plan, Policy and Development Activities (section69-72 of DM Act)
4 Disaster
4.
DiP
Preparedness
danddS
Sensitizationi i i Training
T i i Program
Pon DzongDFi
Fire
Safety.
5. Training on Good Construction Practices
6. Formulation of National Recovery and Reconstruction Plans (aftermath of2009 and 2011 earthquake)
7. Search and Rescue trainingg
8. Equipment (section 114 of DM Act)
9. Incident Command System Training
10 International and Regional Trainings/Workshops organized Advocacy,
10.International
Awareness and Information Management Observation of International Day
for Disaster Risk Reduction
11 Development and distribution of Information,
11.
Information Education andCommunication materials (IEC)
Visiting Researchers Program(FY2014B)

Preparedness or Capacity Development Program

CBDRM in Lunana

Good Construction Practice
Visiting Researchers Program(FY2014B)

Basic Search and Rescue training

GLOF Early warning/mitigation in Lunana

Disaster Management Institution as per DM Act, 2013)

Visiting Researchers Program(FY2014B)

Classification of Disaster as per DM Act, 2013
The Disaster Management Act of Bhutan 2013 classifies
disasters into three types:
Type I- A disaster shall be classified as Type I, if it can bemanaged with available resources and is within thecoping capacity of the Gewog/ City concerned.
Type II
II- A disaster shall be classified as Type II,
II if it can be
managed with available resources and is within thecoping capacity of the Dzongkhag concerned.
Type III- A disaster shall be classified as Type III, if
severity and magnitude is so great that it is beyond
available resources and the coping capacity of theDzongkhag concerned.

Visiting Researchers Program(FY2014B)

Regulations and Policy Strategies
11. Disaster Management Act 2013
 Enactment of the Disaster Management Act of the Kingdom of Bhutan
g the 10th Session of the First Parliament.
on 27th Februaryy 2013 during
2. Disaster Management Planning and Contingency Guidelines (Chapter
7 of DM Act) As per the DM Act 2013, DM Planning Guidelines are completed
recently to assist and guide the Dzongkhags and other relevant
agencies/sectors.
3. School Disaster Management Planning Guideline
 In collaboration with Department of School Education, the Planningguideline for the formulation of the School DM Plan has beende eloped and distrib
developed
distributed.
ted
4. Disaster Management Strategic Policy Framework National
N i l DisasterDi
Ri k Management
RiskMFFramework
k 2006 iis bbeing
ireviewed and revised, in line with the DM Act.
Visiting Researchers Program(FY2014B)

Budget for the Department
Annual Budget for the Department of Disaster Management
Fiscal Year

Total Amount (Million)

Remarks

2010-201157.261

USD 0.95 million

2011-201278.815

USD 1.3 million

2012-201334.157

USD 0.57 million

2013-2014

20.56

USD 0.34 million

2014-201535.372

USD 0.59 million- capacity
it building,b ildi establishingt bli hi- maintaining Critical Disaster Management Facility including
purchase of equipment
pq p
Visiting Researchers Program(FY2014B)

Progress of the implementation of HFA 1
HFA 1 Priorities for action
1 Ensure
1.
Ethath disaster
diriski k reductiond i isi a national
i l andd a local
l lpriority with a strong institutional basis for implementation.
2. Identify,d if assess andd monitor
i disaster
dirisksi k andd enhancehearlylwarning.
3. Use knowledge, innovation and education to build a cultureof safety and resilience at all levels.
4. Reduce the underlying risk factors.
5. Strengthen disaster preparedness for effective response at alllevels.

Visiting Researchers Program(FY2014B)

Progress of the implementation of HFA in Bhutan
1. Ensure DRR is a National and Local Priority with
Strong Institutional Basis for Implementation• National
N ti l Policy
P li andd legal
l l framework
fk forf DRR - NDRMF
2006- First comprehensive multi-stakeholders strategy.
-Enactment
Enactment of Disaster Management Act 2013.
2013• Decentralized DM activities• Empower nodal institutions at all levels with legal status.
• Constitution of Bhutan outlines to maintain 60% of thecountryy under forest coverage
g for all times to come.
• Climate Change Council-to mitigate and adapt to the adverse impacts of climatechange in the country• National Climate Change Policy and National Adaptation
PProgram
off AActionti (NAPA) are bbeing
i fformulatedl t d (NAPA-I(NAPA I
Completed and NAPA-II started)
Visiting Researchers Program(FY2014B)

Progress of the implementation of HFA in Bhutan
2. Identify, Assess and Monitor Disaster Risks andenhance Early Warning• Hazard, Vulnerability and Risk Assessment- GLOF Hazard Zonation Map-Punatsangchu
Ph basinb i andd Chamkharchhu
Ch kh hh (Identification(Id ifi i off
Safe GLOF evacuation area and Safe evacuation site forsettlements for those who
ho falls undernder red zone
one and near theboundary of red and yellow zone).
-Earth quake hazard and Vulnerability analysis in major
Municipalities- ERRRP (SAARC regional project).
-CBDRM HVC Assessment - Preparedness Planning((ongoing)g g)Visiting Researchers Program(FY2014B)

Progress of the implementation of HFA in Bhutan•EWS & other system are in place to monitor,archivehi andd didisseminate
i t data
d t on kkey hhazards
d anddVulnerability-DIMS/ Disaster Database-Inventory
In entor of Glacier lakes- Mitigation of Glacier lake (Thorthomi lake) andGLOF Early Warning System-Established flood warning and flood preventions (10hydrological stations and 33 rainfall stations)- Community Based EWS- Streamlining chain of command and information
Visiting Researchers Program(FY2014B)

Progress of the implementation of HFA in Bhutan
3. Use Knowledge, Innovation, Education to Build aCulture of Safety and Resilience at all Levels• Public Awareness and Education-Campaign through various media- AwarenessAat allll levelsl l- CBDRM - Safe school campaign- First responder training
training, mock drill- GLOF awareness & fire safety program• Capacity Development- Capacity enhancement at all levels (Technical, resources,manpower, equipment)- Regional partnerships- Building
g a culture of safetyy and resilience (communities(and within sectors)
Visiting Researchers Program(FY2014B)

Progress of the implementation of HFA in Bhutan
4. Reduce the Underlying Risk Factors• Mitigation and Integration of DRR in development sectors• Reviewed Environment Assessment Act 2000 andEnvironmental Clearance of project 2002
• Reduce underlying risk factors– Enforcementfandd complianceli
off standards
d d building
b ildi codes
d–Retrofitting of weak structures– AppropriateA
i t standard
t d d andd guidelines
id li
for
f RuralR l housing
h i– Developed guidelines for burning debris• Insurance (property & life)• Investing in drainage infrastructure in flood prone areas• Slope stabilization (SLMP)
Visiting Researchers Program(FY2014B)

Progress of the implementation of HFA in Bhutan
5. Strengthen Disaster Preparedness for Effective Response at all
5levels• Policy, Technical and Institutional capacities and mechanisms
for DRR-National Search and Rescue Team (NaSART) formed in 2012 Equipments – SAR-School Safety and mock drill- Formation of SAR Team at District and Municipal level (ongoing)- District
Di t i t DisasterDi t managementt Committee
Citt formed
fd ini many dist.
di t• Disaster Preparedness plans- DM Planning Guidelines and Contingency Guidelines formulated-Emergency Safety and First Aid Handbook-CBDRM
CBDRM Curriculum (draft)- CBDRM Training (covered 16 of 20 districts)
Visiting Researchers Program(FY2014B)

Recent Major Projects on DRR in Bhutan
Name of the ProjectDura A mounttion (Million)

Funding

Implementin
g agencies

StatueJapan Policy and Human
R
ResourceDevelopment
D lt(PHRD) Technical Assistance
Program to to support
disaster reduction andrecovery project“Improving Resilience toSeismic Risk in Bhutan
Bhutan”

2013 USD
1 28551.28552017

Japan throughW ld B
WorldBankk

DES, DDM,
DGM & DoC
D C

On-going

Climatic Risk management
through
g Enhanced national,,
local and community-level
resistance

JanUSD 0.3
2014- Dec
2014

UNDP

DDM, DES
Completed((FloodEngineeringManagementDivision))

Bhutan National Adaptation
Programme of Action (NAPA-II)
II)2014 USD 0.6
2017

UNDPDDM

Visiting Researchers Program(FY2014B)

On-going

Challenges

 Disaster management being a new discipline and multi
sectoral in nature, there is a need to create adequateawareness andd advocacy
don didisastert managementt issues
iatt alllllevels.
 Absence of National Emergency Operation Centre (NationalEmergency Communication Network) Absence of full time DM officer at Dzonkghag level L
Lackk off disasterdi t information/data,i fti /d t multi-hazard
lti hd zonation
ti anddvulnerability maps which are pre-requisite for planning
DRR activities
 Inadequate technical capacity of DDM
Visiting Researchers Program(FY2014B)

Way Forwardii.

Formulation
Fl ti off Bye-Laws,
B L
Rules
R l andd Regulations,
R l tiSOPs,
SOP minimum
i iStandards, Guidelines as per the DM Act 2013.

ii.

Approval of National Disaster Risk Management Strategy document (draft).

iii. Approval for the Emergency Tele-communication Network Master Plan andsetting up of the NEOC.
iv. Strengthening and expanding the existing NaSART.
v.

Formation of SAR teams at local levels; training and equipping them.

vi. Procurement of advanced SAR equipment.
vii. Settingg up
p of SAR Trainingg Institute or tie upp with the existingg RBP/RBA
training institutes.
viii. Proposal for delinking and upgrading Fire Service Division, RBP.
ix. Involvement of CSO/NGO/Religious Institutions in DM.
x.

Inclusion of DM module into School and College curriculum/syllabus

xi. Recruitment of 20 Dzongkhag Disaster Management Officers .
Visiting Researchers Program(FY2014B)

Research plan
Titl : ComparativeTitleCti Study
St d on Windstorm
Wi d tdamages
don theth rurall
homes in Bhutan and Japan
Main Objective• To assess the damage caused by windstorm on rural homeroofs
f iin Bhutan
handd comparing
i withi h theh Japanese rooff
Sub Focus• Identify ways to improve the existing rural homes roof toreduce the future windstorm damage• What are main failure in roof structures based on theexisting rural roof configuration and how to mitigate therooff taking
t ki theth goodd examples
l off JapanJVisiting Researchers Program(FY2014B)

KADIN CHE LA