𝐁𝐡𝐮𝐭𝐚𝐧 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐬 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐃𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐈𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

…𝑩𝒉𝒖𝒕𝒂𝒏 𝒉𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒍𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒓𝒐𝒍𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝑨𝑰, 𝒅𝒂𝒕𝒂 𝒕𝒐𝒐𝒍𝒔, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒍𝒚 𝒘𝒂𝒓𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒔𝒚𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒎𝒔 𝒊𝒏 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒕𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒖𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒆𝒔 𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝒄𝒍𝒊𝒎𝒂𝒕𝒆 𝒉𝒂𝒛𝒂𝒓𝒅𝒔

By Kezang Choden

The Department of Local Governance and Disaster Management under the Ministry of Home Affairs participated in the ninth Session of the Committee on Disaster Risk Reduction and the fifth ESCAP Disaster Resilience Week in Bangkok, Thailand, highlighting Bhutan’s commitment to advancing digital solutions for disaster preparedness and community resilience.

The regional forum, held from November 25 to 28 under the theme “A Heat-Resilient Future: Digital Solutions for Early Warning and Action,” brought together government leaders, UN agencies, technical experts, and private-sector partners from across Asia and the Pacific. The event provided a platform to discuss innovative approaches to strengthening early warning systems, enhancing regional cooperation, and building climate-resilient communities. Bhutan was represented at the session by the Director General of the Department of Local Governance and Disaster Management, who actively engaged in discussions on leveraging digital tools and emerging technologies to improve disaster preparedness.

This year’s session placed a strong focus on how digital technologies, data ecosystems, and artificial intelligence are transforming the region’s ability to understand and manage growing risks linked to extreme heat and climate change. The event also marked the launch of the third-generation Risk and Resilience Portal, known as RRP 3.0, developed by ESCAP. The upgraded platform combines climate projections, hazard analytics, and early warning intelligence into one accessible system to support timely and informed decision-making.

During a high-level panel discussion, the Director General delivered a statement on Bhutan’s key digital resilience challenges and opportunities to apply data and AI to climate and disaster risks. He highlighted Bhutan’s ongoing efforts to strengthen multi-hazard risk management, improve information flow for decision-makers, and expand the use of emerging technologies to protect vulnerable communities. He emphasized that Bhutan’s mountainous terrain, rapidly shifting weather patterns, and increasing climate impacts make timely access to accurate data essential for safeguarding lives and livelihoods.

The Director General noted that while Bhutan continues to invest in early warning systems, satellite data, hydrometeorological services, and digital mapping tools, deeper regional cooperation and stronger technical partnerships are needed. In addition to the keynote session, he participated in several side events focused on expanding digital technologies in disaster risk management.

These discussions included the use of AI for real-time hazard monitoring, innovations in community-based early warning systems, and new approaches to data sharing among regional governments. His participation reflects Bhutan’s commitment to strengthening resilience through modern technology and active engagement in global and regional climate initiatives. The forum is expected to guide future collaborative actions and help countries build stronger systems to prepare for extreme heat events and other climate-related hazards that are increasing across the region.

Local experiences in Bhutan underline the relevance of these initiatives. Lok Nath Bhattarai, a resident of Samtse Dzongkhag, shared that disasters continue to disrupt roads, damage houses, and interrupt daily routines in the southern district. He said that families remain on high alert, especially during the monsoon months when heavy rain often leads to flooding and landslides. Bhattarai explained that timely weather information has become essential for residents who live in areas prone to frequent hazards.

He said he usually receives weather updates through mobile applications and social media platforms. Local news outlets also broadcast regular forecasts, helping communities prepare for sudden changes in weather. According to him, warnings sometimes arrive directly from government agencies or local authorities whenever there is a risk of severe rainfall or rising river levels. Community groups on Facebook and WhatsApp also play a key role in sharing alerts quickly among neighbours.

“Most updates reach me through digital platforms, and this helps us take precautions early,” Bhattarai said. He added that access to reliable information has made it easier for residents to plan their movements, protect their property, and support one another during emergencies. Local leaders in Samtse continue to encourage residents to follow official advisories and stay informed, as early information remains one of the most effective tools for reducing disaster impacts in vulnerable areas.

Residents said simple mobile applications with clear emergency steps would greatly improve preparedness during disasters. Many believe short instructional videos on what to do during floods or landslides could guide communities more effectively. Training delivered through online workshops is also seen as a useful option for those who cannot attend in person. In addition, location-based warnings and timely alerts are viewed as important features that can enhance public safety. Overall, people are calling for digital tools that are easy to use and accessible to everyone.

However, residents pointed out several challenges that continue to affect preparedness. They reported that clear information is not always available when needed. Many households do not have proper emergency equipment. Busy schedules make it difficult for people to attend training programmes. Some individuals still underestimate the risks until disasters occur. These gaps weaken the overall effectiveness of disaster preparedness efforts.

Wang Tshering, a local leader from Haa Dzongkhag, said that people in his gewog have basic knowledge about disasters such as earthquakes, flash floods, and landslides. He added that residents are also aware of the local hazards in the area. However, he explained that conducting awareness programmes and drills remains difficult due to the sparse population.

Even when activities are organized at the chiwog level, only about 70 to 80 percent of the residents are able to attend. This is mainly because of the long distances between settlements and the chiwog centre. He further said that local leaders hardly get enough time to travel from one chiwog to another to carry out these programmes, which adds to the challenge of strengthening disaster preparedness in the community.

During the flash floods and landslides of October 4, 2025, local authorities faced significant challenges in maintaining communication with chiwog Tshogpas and residents. The heavy rains triggered widespread damage, washing away roads and bridges and leaving several communities cut off from immediate support. According to local officials, the destruction of critical infrastructure made it impossible to move between affected areas to deliver information or assess the situation. The disaster also caused power outages across several locations. With the power supply disrupted, telecommunication networks failed, further isolating communities at a time when timely communication was crucial.

Officials said that the only option was to wait for the restoration of electricity before they could re-establish contact with the chiwog Tshogpas and the public. The delays affected the coordination of response teams and slowed the flow of updates to the affected communities. The incident highlighted the continued vulnerability of remote areas during natural disasters and the need for more resilient communication systems. Local leaders stressed the importance of investing in backup communication tools, such as satellite phones and emergency radio systems, to ensure that critical information can reach all communities even when conventional networks fail.

He emphasized that effective disaster management requires more than manpower. He highlighted the need for proper tools, trained teams, and reliable resources across all chiwogs. Trained volunteers and rescue teams should be available at the local level, and basic equipment such as first aid kits, ropes, helmets, and generators can play a crucial role during emergencies. Safe shelters and proper storage facilities for emergency supplies are also considered essential.

Leaders stated that a dedicated budget is necessary to conduct awareness programmes, training sessions, and regular drills. Funds are needed to maintain equipment and improve infrastructure, including drainage systems and access roads. Financial support is also important for restoration activities after disasters. With adequate resources, equipment, and sustained funding, the gewog can respond more effectively and ensure the safety of its people.