Bhutan Country Report for JPTM 2010 (July, 2010) Department of Disaster Management Ministry of Home & Cultural Affairs Royal Government of Bhutan 1
Contents of Presentation 1. Disaster Hazards and Underlying Vulnerabilities 2. Disaster Management set up in Bhutan 3. National Disaster Risk Management Framework 4. Utilization of Sentinel Asia 5. Expectations from Sentinel Asia in the future 2
Disaster Hazards in Bhutan 1. Earthquakes 1. Falls under Seismic Zone IV &V (most active zones) 2. Record suggest recurent earthquakes 4 exceeding the magnitude of 8 on RS (1905, 1934,1950 and 1987) 3. Most recently - 21st September earthquake 2009, measuring 6.3 3
Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOF) 2674 glacial lakes in Bhutan, of which 562 are associated with glaciers 25 of them are potentially dangerous Past Events 1957, 1960 and 1994 GLOF threatens the lives and livelihood of people living in the valleys downstream Increasing concern of GLOF frequency and intensity as a result of climate change. 4
Pho Chu Sub Basin : 9 Mo Chu Sub Basin : 5 14 Chamkhar Chu Sub Basin: 3 Kuri Chu Sub Basin: 1 Mangde Chu Sub Basin: 7 Out of 2674 glacial lakes, 25 has been identified as potentially dangerous lakes. Source: DGM & ICIMOD publication 5
Impact of the 1994 GLOF (Gasa, Punakha, Wangdue, Tsirang and Dagana) 6
Floods Other Recurrent Hazards Flooding and flash floods due to incessant monsoon rainfall 2004 monsoon in Eastern Dzongkhags that caused loss of 9 lives, 29 houses, and 664 acres of land. Nation-wide flooding caused by Cyclone Aila precipitation in May, 2009 caused loss of 12 lives and damages worth more than Nu. 700 million (USD 15.50 million) Other Hazards: Landslides Artificial Dam formations Forest Fires Fires on Human Settlement Storms (Wind, Snow, Hail) Epidemics 7
Destruction caused by Flash Floods 8
Phuntsholing experienced one of the worst flooding caused by Doteng chu in August, 2000 9
Natural dam formations and dam bursts An artificial lake formed by landslide on the Tsatichu, a tributary of Kurichu river in 2003 10
The Kurichu Hydropower dam and reservoir located on the downstream of the Tsatichu artifical lake 11
Landslides 12
Fires on forest and human settlements 13
Damage caused by Windstorms 14
Underlying Vulnerabilities 1. Socio-Economic Factors 2. Rapid Urbanization 3. Unsafe Construction Practices 4. Lack of Enforcement 5. Lack of Technical capacity at all level 6. Lack of Awareness 7. Lack of Preparedness Planning 15
Disaster Management System in Bhutan (As per the National Disaster Management Bill) National Disaster Management Authority National Committee for Disaster Management Block Disaster Management Committee Ministry of Home and Cultural Affairs Department of Disaster Management (NEOC) District Disaster Management Committee (DEOC) Municipality Disaster Management Committee Communities 16
Disaster Management Policy (National Disaster Risk Management Framework (NDRMF) 2006) Disaster risk management planning approach instead of an ad hoc reactive approach Multi-Sectoral Recognizing respective roles of different ministries, agencies and organizations and working together / coordination Linking disaster risk management and development plans and programs Institutionalizing a sustainable and decentralized disaster management mechanism at National, District, Block and Municipality level Empowering Local Communities to take the lead role in the whole disaster management process/ cycle Ensure appropriate and timely response and welfare for isolated victims of disasters 17
Components of the NDRFM 1. Institutional, legislative and policy frameworks 2. Hazard, Vulnerability and Risk Assessment 3. Early Warning System 4. Disaster Preparedness Plans at all Administrative levels 5. Mitigation and Integration of DRR in Development Plans and programs of Sectors 6. Public Awareness and Education 7. Capacity Development at various levels 8. Emergency Communication Network and Transport 18
Utilization of Sentinel Asia and Future Plans 1. Attended the 1 st JPTM and 2 nd JPTM Meetings organized by JAXA and ADRC - Formation of GLOF Working Group 2. Mission from ADRC and JAXA to Bhutan in 2009 - GLOF Hazard Zonation - Sentinel Asia project 3. Future Plans - Further understand the need and use of Sentinel Asia STEP 2 - Organize stakeholder meeting - Decide Sentinel Asia user terminal - Terms of Reference - Institute system as per required specification - Submit proposal to and avail support from Sentinel Asia for 19 system set up and capacity building
For a Safer and Happier Bhutan Thank You 20