DAWA ZANGMO | Thimphu
Bhutan is strengthening its disaster preparedness and early warning systems as climate change accelerates glacier retreat and increases the number and size of potentially dangerous glacial lakes, Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay said during the 31st Meet the Press.
The Prime Minister said the recent tragedy in Nepal highlighted the vulnerabilities shared by countries across the fragile Himalayan region, where communities and critical infrastructure remain exposed to climate-related hazards.
He said Bhutan was already experiencing the effects of climate change, particularly through retreating glaciers and the rapid expansion of glacial lakes that could pose risks of glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs).
“The Royal Government takes these warning signs with utmost seriousness,” PM said, adding that the country also faced technical and financial gaps that needed to be addressed to strengthen disaster preparedness.
Bhutan has identified 17 potentially dangerous glacial lakes (PDGLs). Of these, 11 are located in the headwaters of the Punatsangchhu basin, including nine in Phochhu and two in Mochhu. The Mangdechhu and Chamkharchhu basins have five PDGLs combined, with three in Mangdechhu and two in Chamkharchhu. Another PDGL is located at the source of Kurichhu.
Early warning systems for GLOFs have already been installed in three river basins.
In the Punatsangchhu basin, the system was established under the National Adaptation Programme of Action-I between 2009 and 2013. It uses Iridium satellite communication and is supported by a 24-hour control room in Wangdue. Two personnel stationed in Thanza, Lunana, also manually monitor the glacial lakes.
In the Mangdechhu and Chamkharchhu basins, early warning systems were installed with support from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) between 2013 and 2016. The systems use high-frequency wireless communication and Himawari satellite technology. Control rooms operate around the clock from the Mangdechhu Dam Colony and Kurjey in Bumthang.
However, the PM said the existing systems had aged and required rehabilitation.
To address this and expand early warning coverage, the Government submitted a USD 22 million project concept note to the Green Climate Fund (GCF). The concept note was approved in June this year.
The Ministry of Finance and the National Centre for Hydrology and Meteorology (NCHM), in collaboration with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), are now working on the full project proposal titled “Enhancing Climate Information and Multi-Hazard Early Warning for Resilience in Bhutan.”
The initiative is intended to strengthen early warning systems across the country’s major river basins and improve the country’s capacity to respond to multiple climate-related hazards.
PM said communication systems would also need to be strengthened to ensure that warnings could be transmitted reliably, particularly during emergencies.
“Technology alone cannot save lives without strong human systems and community preparedness,” he said.
GovTech, NCHM and the Department of Local Governance and Disaster Management (DLGDM) will identify and implement appropriate communication technologies as part of efforts to modernise and upgrade the national early warning network.
The Government is also prioritising financing for disaster risk reduction, early warning system maintenance and emergency response infrastructure.
PM said disaster risk reduction and early warning should be treated as essential investments in national security and economic stability. The Government is seeking international climate financing through partnerships with multilateral institutions, including the World Bank and global climate funds.
He said resources, including targeted climate and disaster resilience development policy financing, were being directed towards strengthening multi-hazard early warning systems in vulnerable river basins.
At the domestic level, budget allocations for disaster management, maintenance of early warning systems and emergency response infrastructure are also being prioritized to ensure that systems remain operational in high-risk areas.
Alongside technological upgrades, the Government is strengthening community preparedness and local-level contingency planning.
DLGDM is developing Community-Based Disaster Management Plans in vulnerable areas and has conducted GLOF awareness programmes in 40 vulnerable communities in Punakha and three communities in Wangduephodrang.
A full-scale evacuation drill at Punakha Dzong was also being conducted on 11 September 2026.
According to the PM, similar awareness programmes and preparedness activities will be expanded to vulnerable communities in the Chamkharchhu, Mangdechhu and Pachu basins.
He said the drills would also be institutionalised rather than conducted as one-off activities. In collaboration with dzongkhag administrations and other relevant agencies, community and evacuation drills, including those for major cultural heritage sites such as Punakha Dzong, will be conducted annually.
“While we cannot prevent natural hazards like GLOFs from occurring,” PM said, regular awareness programmes, simulation exercises and community contingency plans would help minimise loss of life and economic damage.
The PM also called for shared responsibility among the Government, local governments and communities in strengthening disaster resilience.
He urged people to participate actively in disaster preparedness drills, follow early warning alerts and avoid constructing homes or settling in areas identified as high-risk flood zones.
“Disaster resilience is a shared national responsibility,” he said.
The Government, he said, would continue working to upgrade early warning technology, improve communication connectivity and mobilise financing, while communities and individuals would need to remain alert and prepared for possible disasters.
