𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐅𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝐈𝐧𝐟𝐫𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞

…𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒕𝒓𝒚 𝒆𝒏𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆𝒔 𝒎𝒐𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒔𝒚𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒎𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒄𝒓𝒐𝒔𝒔-𝒃𝒐𝒓𝒅𝒆𝒓 𝒄𝒐𝒍𝒍𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒕𝒐 𝒊𝒎𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒅𝒊𝒔𝒂𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒑𝒓𝒆𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒆𝒅𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒔

By Sonam Choden

Bhutan is enhancing its flood forecasting capabilities and strengthening regional resilience through major infrastructure and operational improvements, building on decades of collaboration with India under the Joint Expert Team (JET) framework. This long-standing partnership has created a robust platform for hydro-meteorological data sharing, flood forecasting, and disaster preparedness across rivers shared by the two countries. Over nearly seven decades, the collaboration has become a model of regional hydrological cooperation, emphasizing the value of scientific partnership and mutual trust in managing transboundary water resources effectively.

A significant development in this effort is the approval for the construction of the National Centre for Hydrology and Metrology (NCHM) Headquarters at Yuspang, funded under India’s Project Tied Assistance (GoI-PTA). The facility will serve as the central hub for advanced research, data analysis, and operational forecasting, housing laboratories, data management systems, and operational units to enhance the country’s capacity to monitor extreme weather events and manage flood risks. Karma Dupchu, Director General of NCHM, emphasized its strategic role, stating, “The new headquarters will serve as the nerve center for advanced research, data analysis, and operational forecasting services, enabling more integrated and science-based decision-making.”

Complementing this infrastructure, the country is establishing a 24/7 Flood Monitoring Control Room in Phuentsholing to continuously track river water levels in the Amochhu Basin. Karma explained, “Round-the-clock flood monitoring is now a necessity, not an option. The Phuentsholing control room will play a crucial role in enhancing the country’s preparedness while supporting coordinated action with Indian counterparts.” The system will integrate automatic sensors, satellite telemetry, and high-resolution forecasting models, allowing authorities to provide early warnings with improved lead times and streamline communication with disaster management agencies in both Bhutan and India.
Bhutan’s longstanding data-sharing arrangements with India remain central to regional flood preparedness.

Karma added, “Data from the Manas river basin in eastern Bhutan are transmitted directly to the Central Water Commission (CWC) office in Barpeta, Assam, while western basins such as the Amochhu, Wangchu, and Punatsangchhu share information with CWC offices in Cooch Behar and Jalpaiguri, West Bengal. Agreed transmission schedules during monsoon and non-monsoon periods ensure that Indian agencies receive timely and accurate information for flood forecasting and preparedness.”

Looking ahead, the NCHM’s 2026–2031 strategic framework focuses on modernizing and expanding flood warning networks, enhancing 24/7 monitoring infrastructure, improving communication systems, and building technical capacity for hydro-meteorological personnel. These initiatives align with the country’s broader climate resilience and disaster management strategies, particularly as hydro-meteorological extremes become more frequent due to climate variability.

The strengthened Bhutan–India cooperation highlights the benefits of regional partnerships. Bhutan, as the upper riparian state, provides critical hydro-meteorological data to downstream Indian states, while India supports the modernization and operation of the country’s flood warning networks through funding and technical assistance. The collaboration continues under the JET mechanism, which holds alternating sessions between the two countries; the next meeting is tentatively scheduled for April 2026 in India. This continuity emphasizes the long-term commitment of both nations to effective transboundary flood management.

Through these initiatives, Bhutan is enhancing operational readiness, data reliability, and environmental security. The combination of advanced infrastructure, continuous monitoring, and strategic planning ensures the country is better prepared to respond to floods while contributing to regional safety. These measures also provide a blueprint for other countries in South Asia seeking to strengthen transboundary cooperation in water resource management.