Government allocates N2.56 billion for disaster prevention

YK Puddle

The government has allocated N2.56 billion for disaster preparedness budget in various sectors during the 13th Five-Year Plan to strengthen the disaster management framework and enhance the country’s resilience to increasingly severe weather events.

At the seventh press conference, Prime Minister Tshering Tobacco stressed that His Majesty the King is personally involved in the disaster relief efforts.

“The king has visited the areas hit by the floods and ordered all departments to work together to develop a comprehensive strategy to protect the public,” the prime minister said.

Energy and Natural Resources Minister Gem Tshering said Bhutan, like much of the Himalayan region, faces increasing climate challenges including heat waves, droughts and floods that threaten the livelihoods of local communities.

“This month, Bhutan experienced two major floods – in Bumthang on August 5 and in Dechen Choling in Thimphu on August 10, both of which also resulted in one death,” Leonpo said.

The funds will be disbursed through key departments under the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources (MoENR), including the National Centre for Hydrometeorology (NCHM), the Department of Forestry and Parks Service (DoFPS), and the Department of Environment and Climate Change (DECC).

The National Meteorological and Flood Management Administration has a budget of N1,704.6 million during the 13th Five-Year Plan period, which will be used to develop key infrastructure, including a 24/7 National Meteorological and Flood Warning Center in Yusipang, enhance the hydrological observation network, and strengthen the early warning system for hydrology and glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs).

Leonpo said that for the strategic and long-term development of Bhutan’s hydrometeorological sector, a roadmap for “Institutional Strengthening and Modernization of Hydrometeorological and Multi-Hazard Early Warning Systems” between 2024 and 2034 has been launched.

“Strengthening institutions and capacity building, modernizing observation networks and forecasting infrastructure to deliver services were identified as priority areas,” Leonpaugh said.

With a budget of N835 million, DoFPS will undertake measures to improve forest health and resilience. Priority initiatives include forest fire management, including fire hotspot mapping and community fire management, with N16.29 million earmarked for these interventions.

“Recognizing that forest fires are a major hazard exacerbated by climate change, the Department of Forests and Public Services has prioritized interventions such as mapping of fire hotspots, community-based forest fire management, reduction of fuel loads at the wild-urban interface, awareness campaigns, suppression of forest fires, and capacity building of officials,” Leonpo said.

The UK Department of Energy and Climate Change will focus on climate resilience and biodiversity, including establishing a climate and environmental science museum, developing a natural capital accounting system, and implementing priority activities in the National Adaptation Plan.

“The UK Department of Energy and Climate Change will also work to establish a well-coordinated Bhutan carbon market and Bhutan Climate Fund,” said Leonpaugh.