𝐅𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐡 𝐅𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐝𝐬 𝐀𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐬 𝐁𝐡𝐮𝐭𝐚𝐧 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐍𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐂𝐥𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐞-𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐈𝐧𝐟𝐫𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞

…𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒓𝒆𝒄𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒅𝒊𝒔𝒂𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒄𝒐𝒊𝒏𝒄𝒊𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒂 𝒏𝒆𝒘 𝒏𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝒊𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝒉𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒍𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒖𝒓𝒈𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒏𝒆𝒆𝒅 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒓𝒊𝒔𝒌-𝒊𝒏𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒎𝒆𝒅 𝒑𝒍𝒂𝒏𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒐𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒓 𝒊𝒏𝒇𝒓𝒂𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒖𝒄𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒆 𝒂𝒄𝒓𝒐𝒔𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒕𝒓𝒚

By Kinzang Lhamo

Incessant heavy rainfall across Bhutan on October 4-5 triggered flash floods, landslides, and bridge washouts, damaging critical infrastructure and isolating communities across several districts. The disaster struck just days after the Royal Government of Bhutan, with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), launched a new initiative to strengthen flood-resilient urban infrastructure in the country. The coincidence of the two events has highlighted the urgency of investing in disaster-resilient systems as the country faces more frequent and intense climate-related disasters.

The flood caused extensive damage in Haa, Chhukha, Samtse, Paro, Wangdue Phodrang, and Thimphu, disrupting connectivity, damaging homes, and threatening livelihoods. Roads, bridges, and community structures bore the brunt of the disaster, highlighting the vulnerability of public infrastructure to heavy rainfall and swelling rivers.

In Haa Dzongkhag, flash floods in Gakiling and Sangbaykha Gewogs swept away two labour camps and destroyed a wooden bridge connecting the mining road to Sertena Chiwog. Several bailey bridges, including those near Amochu at Pultar, were also washed away, while the Sherchu bridge between Khamina and Sochu collapsed. Roads linking Sangbaykha Dungkhag and Doritha suffered severe damage, cutting off vital routes for residents.

“Two culvert bridges have been washed away, and the temporary log motorable road is gone, and around ten farm roads have been blocked,” said Wang Tshering, Gup of Gakiling Gewog.

In Chhukha Dzongkhag, floods caused the collapse of bailey bridges over Jimichhu and Zongnalum in Bongo Gewog, cutting off access to Baikunza and Toktogom villages. The surging Wangchhu River also placed the suspension bridge at risk while damaging a newly built ecotourism facility in Jigmechu and nearby mining infrastructure.
“The flood caused severe damage to the Tree House and the ongoing construction near the Wangchhu River. The entire site was inundated, and all materials, tools, and documents were washed away,” said Rinchen Dorji, Gup of Darla Gewog.

In Samtse Dzongkhag, all three bridges linking Denchukha, Duemtoe, and Haa were completely washed away, creating a major connectivity crisis. “Two houses have been washed away by the flash flood, but we are still unable to confirm if they were insured, as poor network connection and lack of electricity have made it difficult to collect information,” said Vaskar Chapagai, Gup of Denchukha Gewog.

He added that limited funds and the difficult terrain make it challenging to construct resilient infrastructure that could withstand such events.

Paro Dzongkhag also reported infrastructure damage. In Lamgong Gewog, the Lamgong Tshendona Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) Centre was flooded. “The ECCD centre is closed as rainwater has entered the centre,” said Gem Tshering, Gup of Lamgong Gewog.

While efforts have been made to construct a river protection wall, the work remains incomplete. “I feel river protection is essential, as it shields us from incessant rainfall. Even though the wall near the river is incomplete, it has still benefited us,” he added.

In central Bhutan, landslides in Wangdue Phodrang damaged farm roads and irrigation channels. “There have been several minor damages caused by the rain, and most farm roads can be cleared by the gewog. However, major damages have also occurred along the Khothangkha and Ngawang Tongchennang farm roads,” said Kinley Tawchung, Gup of Bjena Gewog.

In the capital, Thimphu, residents of Dechencholing reported minor flooding and growing concern over the area’s vulnerability. “This area has been hampered by floods since last year, and the recent rainfall has again caused minor flooding, making us anxious that it may be prone to future floods,” said a resident.

The widespread destruction follows similar incidents in recent years, highlighting the recurring challenge of flash floods and landslides during the country’s monsoon season. Local governments have repeatedly stressed the need for durable, climate-proof structures to reduce future repair costs.

“If we are able to build infrastructure that can withstand both rain and sun, we won’t need to seek a budget for repairs time and again. It is better to construct strong, quality infrastructure gradually than to waste resources on repeated reconstruction,” said Kinley Tawchung, Bjena Gup.

The October floods occurred just a week after Bhutan launched a new project to integrate flood resilience into urban infrastructure systems. Supported by USD 640,000 in funding from the CDRI’s Urban Infrastructure Resilience Program under the Infrastructure Resilience Accelerator Fund (IRAF), the project aims to enhance the disaster resilience of critical urban infrastructure systems in Thimphu, Phuentsholing, and Samtse.

The initiative, led by the Department of Local Governance and Disaster Management (DLGDM), seeks to incorporate flood resilience into city planning and management. It will focus on improving flood forecasting, early warning systems, and data-driven decision-making for essential services such as stormwater management, green open spaces, and urban infrastructure design. Municipal staff, including city planners, engineers, and disaster management officials, will receive capacity-building training in risk-informed urban planning and climate-resilient infrastructure development.

Director General Karma Galay of DLGDM said the project could not be more timely. “Our cities, originally planned for much smaller populations, are now under increasing stress from both climate-induced events and rapid urbanisation. The project’s focus on risk-informed planning, early warning systems, and data-driven decision-making is not just relevant it is essential,” he said during the project’s inception meeting on September 29, 2025.

Umamaheshwaran Rajasekar, Head of CDRI’s Urban Programme, described the project as a milestone. “As the first Urban Infrastructure Resilience Program project in a landlocked developing country within the high mountain region, this marks an important step forward. We hope it will inspire similar efforts across the region,” he said.

UNDP’s Deputy Resident Representative, Fadhil Bakeer Marker, said the project represents a timely and strategic investment in Bhutan’s future. “UNDP will work closely with partners, communities, and municipalities to ensure real impact on the ground. We are also committed to advancing gender and disability inclusion in infrastructure resilience so that no one is left behind,” he said.

According to the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction’s Global Assessment Report 2025, every dollar invested in disaster risk reduction saves up to fifteen dollars in recovery costs. The country’s new project aligns with this principle, seeking to embed climate and disaster resilience in its urban systems while protecting lives, livelihoods, and development gains.

Bhutan is one of five countries alongside Brazil, Honduras, India, and Sri Lanka to receive funding under the first call for proposals of CDRI’s Urban Infrastructure Resilience Program. The initiative is expected to play a vital role in transforming how the country’s cities prepare for and respond to natural disasters.

As the impacts of the October floods continue to unfold, local governments are urging closer coordination between rural and urban authorities to bridge the gap between vulnerability and preparedness. The combination of heavy rainfall and insufficient protective measures has repeatedly damaged infrastructure across the country, draining resources that could be directed toward long-term resilience.

The new project is therefore seen as a turning point. By integrating flood resilience into the design, planning, and management of Bhutan’s cities, the country hopes to reduce the frequency and severity of future disasters. As the country rebuilds and looks ahead, the focus is shifting from reactive recovery to proactive protection, ensuring that infrastructure is not just restored but strengthened to withstand the growing threats posed by climate change.
While the October floods have exposed gaps in existing systems, they have also reinforced national determination to act. The flood-resilient urban infrastructure project offers a path forward, promising safer, more sustainable, and inclusive cities built to endure the challenges of a changing climate.