By Dechen Tshering
The 2016 monsoon was affecting almost all of Bhutan, especially in the south.
Landslides damaged most of the country’s major highways and smaller roads. Bridges were washed away, isolating communities.
The Phuentsholing -Thimphu highway which carries food and fuel from India to half of Bhutan was hit in several locations, and the Kamji bridge partially collapsed, setting residents of the capital city and nearby districts into panic for fear of food and fuel shortages.
Overall the floods drove down Bhutan’s gross domestic product by 0.36 percent.
Guided by its vision, is the world’s single and has demonstrated in fighting climate change.
But despite progress, Bhutan still has ways to go to understand and adapt to the impacts of climate change. And with the effects of climate change intensifying, the frequency of significant hydro-meteorological hazards are expected to increase.
To that end,
Building on the study , the aims to do just that.
The project will pioneer flood forecasting and weather advisories to help farmers increase their crop yields—a first in Bhutan—and enhance weather forecasting and disaster management. As a farmer from Namseyling village noted: “Heavy rains at times damage our crops. We will be grateful if we get timely information on weather, such as when it will rain, it will be very useful for us.”
Supported by grants from the and the , this project builds on ongoing investments in Bhutan and across the region as part of the World Bank’s broader efforts to strengthen hydromet services and disaster resilience in South Asia.
Trashi Namgyal, an engineer in the , highlighted the importance of the project which, he said: “will enable us to scientifically visualize the available hydro-met data and make the information and services more usable to the public.”
Bhutan: Hydromet services and disaster resilience regional project