Disaster RISK Management : Bhutanese Scenario Expert Group M eeting - - PDF document

Disaster RISK Management : Bhutanese Scenario

Expert Group M eeting (EGM ) on Geo-referenced Information Systems for Disaster Risk M anagement (Geo-DRM ) and sustaining the Community of Practice (COP), Bangkok, Thailand

Presented by: Boby Pradhan Survey Engineer National Land Commission Bhutan pradhanboby@yahoo.com

Presentation Outline 1. Country Profile : Bhutan 2. Background on Disaster M anagement Institution in Bhutan 3. Disaster Risks in Bhutan 4. GIS for Disaster Risk M anagement 5. DRM Challenges in Bhutan 6. Support role of ESCAP 7. Conclusion

• Small, mountainous, landlocked country in South Asia
• located in the eastern Himalayas, bordered by India

and China

• Government: Constitutional M onarch
• Development Philosophy: Gross National Happiness
• Size: about 46,000 Sq. Km with 70% forest cover
• Population: about 0.7 M illion
• Capital City: Thimphu
• Altitude : Varies from 150m to 7570m above M SL
• National Language :Dzongkha
• Climate: Four seasons (Spring, summer, Autumn &

Winter)

• 2. Background on Disaster M anagement Institution
• 2005 – establishment of DM Division, M oHCA
• 2006 – National Disaster Risk M anagement Framework

adopted ; guiding policy for DM

• 2007 – Drafting of DM Bill
• 2008 – Dept. of Disaster M anagement, M oHCA
• 2013 (February) – DM Act enacted

Guiding Philosophy of DM Act, 2013

• Pre-planned vs Adhoc reactive approach
• M ulti-Agencies vs Single Agency approach
• Decentralized vs Centralized approach

2.1 Disaster M anagement Institution organogram (DM Act,2013)

National Disaster M anagement Authority

M inistries/ Agencies

• Inter M inisterial Task

Force

• Dept. of Disaster

M anagement

• National Emergency

Operation Center District Disaster M anagement Committee M unicipal DM Committee Sub District DM Committee Village/Block DM Committee

• 3. Disaster Risks in Bhutan

Earthquake September 21, 2009 Earthquake (M =6.1) Impacts:

• Affected 6 eastern

districts out of 20 in Bhutan

• 12 lives lost
• Over 7000 people left without

adequate shelter

• Estimated loss of over US

$54 Million: UNDP/ World Bank Assessment Report

• GLOFs: the most serious natural hazard with 25

lakes, few potentially dangerous.

• Hazards due to GLOF & monsoon floods are

likely to increase in intensity with the impacts

• f climate change.
• Settlements downstream are most vulnerable
• Trans boundary issues

Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) & M onsoon floods

Natural/ artificial Dam formation & dam burst

• Land slides
• Too many HPP : at least one or

more HPP in main rivers

Landslide

• Occurs in summer triggered by

heavy monsoon rain

• Road maintenance being one of

the largest expenditure to Govt.

Fire

• Over 20,000 acres of

forest were destroyed this winter

• Wangdi Dzong

gutted by fire

Windstorm/ hail storm

• private houses & schools in five

districts were destroyed

• Crops & other vegetation

Epidemics, Pests, Diseases

• Army worm attack in 2012
• Frequent bird flu out break

Road Accidents

• Reckless & drink driving
• Poor road & weather conditions
• Human error & M echanical

failure

• 4. GIS for Disaster Risk M anagement

Disaster Phases GIS Applications

Before Disaster (M itigation & Preparedness – Disaster M anagement Plan) Risk assessment, Identification of evacuation route and shelter, Early warning system, Cost/Benefit relationship to justify measures oriented for disaster risk reduction, During Disaster (Response & Relief – Disaster Contingency plan) Damage scenarios to be prepared for emergency response, Clear direction for SAR (with GPS), Identification of suitable evacuation route & area for rehabilitation After Disaster (Reconstruction & Recovery) Damage assessment (based on high resolution satellite image) – identify the type & amount of damage, Identification of suitable location for reconstruction

• 5. DRM Challenges in Bhutan
• Illiterate population, inadequate awareness
• Difficult terrain
• Lack of coordination among stake holders
• inadequate resources
• financial
• professionals
• data redundancy

• 6. Support Role of ESCAP
• Technical expertise and financial assistance towards

building capacity at local level

• Share Success stories, international best practices
• Regional collaboration towards Strengthening

Coordination among Relevant Agencies

• Sensitization/ Awareness on the benefits of GIS, Geo-

Portal for DRM

• Sensitize policy/ decision makers
• 7. Conclusion
• Combating disaster is a common responsibility
• Preparedness & Planning is a must
• Effective Sensitization/ Awareness programs
• Collaboration & Capacity development

Thank you!