𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐨𝐧 𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐎𝐥𝐝 𝐖𝐨𝐞𝐬 𝐓𝐨 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐬 𝐎𝐟 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐚𝐩𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐎𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐀𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧

…𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒊𝒅𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒔 𝒗𝒐𝒊𝒄𝒆 𝒇𝒓𝒖𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒂𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒓𝒐𝒎𝒅𝒆 𝒉𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒍𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒔 𝒆𝒇𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒄𝒍𝒊𝒎𝒂𝒕𝒆 𝒇𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒔 𝒊𝒏 𝒐𝒏𝒈𝒐𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒖𝒈𝒈𝒍𝒆 𝒂𝒈𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒔𝒕 𝒖𝒓𝒃𝒂𝒏 𝒇𝒍𝒐𝒐𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈

By Yeshi Dolma

With the arrival of the monsoon, Thimphu’s waste management and drainage systems are once again under pressure. Residents are grappling with road waste overflow, clogged drains, and localized flooding. These recurring problems have led to growing public frustration directed at Thimphu Thromde, with many citizens voicing concerns over poor waste management and what they perceive as limited visible action from the authorities.

Thromde officials, however, maintain that waste operations are in place and efforts are ongoing to improve city infrastructure and services. The gap between public perception and official statements is now being partly addressed through the involvement of climate experts, whose insights are offering broader context and helping reduce miscommunication.

According to Ugyen Chophel, Deputy Chief at the National Center for Hydrology and Meteorology (NCHM), changes in rainfall patterns are a contributing factor. “We are seeing more intense rainfall over shorter periods compared to the past, which puts pressure on existing drainage systems that were built for lower-intensity rains,” he said. While Bhutan is expected to experience a normal monsoon in terms of total rainfall, Chophel added that the intensity of individual rain events, which cannot be forecast, remains a major concern for urban flooding.

Chophel emphasized that climate is only one aspect of the issue. “Structural and maintenance issues may also play a role in Thimphu’s flooding challenges, but that is beyond my area of expertise,” he noted. Nonetheless, his insights are helping bridge the communication gap between residents and the city administration.

On the ground, Thromde reports that it has implemented a regular waste management system to minimize overflow and maintain urban cleanliness. There are currently ten operational Drop-Off Centers (DOCs) across the city, giving residents designated points for waste disposal. The Bhutan Waste Bank, located in one of these centers, operates on a “Trash to Cash” model, encouraging recycling and source segregation by allowing people to exchange segregated waste for money.

Waste collection has been outsourced to two Waste Service Providers, Greener Way and Green Bhutan Services. In core areas such as Changlam and Norzin, waste is collected five times a week—three times for dry waste and twice for wet waste. In other areas, pickups occur four times weekly with equal frequency for both waste types. The city emphasizes adherence to this schedule to prevent waste from accumulating in public areas.

Thromde is also investing in technology-driven solutions, including smart waste bins and CCTV surveillance. The smart bins, currently in the planning stage, are expected to provide real-time data on fill levels to optimize collection routes and reduce overflows. CCTV systems will help monitor disposal behavior, discourage illegal dumping, and support enforcement of waste regulations.

Despite these measures, many residents feel that the efforts fall short, especially during the monsoon months. The accumulation of waste during heavy rains and the persistence of blocked drains contribute to localized flooding and health concerns. In response, Thromde has installed gratings, interceptors, and nets over drainage inlets to prevent large debris from entering and clogging the system. These installations are routinely cleaned and maintained before and during the monsoon season.

Yet, specific hotspots continue to pose risks. A taxi driver highlighted the area near the Mother and Child Care Hospital as particularly problematic. “There’s always water logging there,” he said. “It’s dangerous because the wall beside the road could loosen and fall due to the soaking. We are worried it might collapse on us.”

Similarly, Thinley Dorji, a resident of Olakha, said water often pools near his building’s driveway even after moderate rain. “The drains in our area can’t handle the volume anymore,” he said. “During the monsoon, the road outside turns into a stream, and once, my car got stuck in the middle of it. It’s become a seasonal problem we all brace for.”

A concerned citizen who works in the city center pointed to another issue. “There’s a staircase near the Thimphu City Bus Parking, right in the heart of town, that tourists and locals use daily. Under that staircase, I have seen waste piling up, and it just sits there, sometimes for days. It’s embarrassing,” she said. “With Bhutan opening up and more tourists visiting, this is not the image we want to project. It’s disappointing to see this level of neglect in such a central and visible spot. Cleanliness shouldn’t be seasonal or conditional, it should be part of how we represent our capital.”

To increase public participation, Thromde has issued guidelines on waste segregation. Residents are expected to separate recyclables, organic waste, and hazardous materials at the source. Awareness programs aim to encourage this practice, although levels of participation vary between communities.

Initiatives such as PLEASE, which supported the establishment of the Bhutan Waste Bank, reflect efforts to promote innovation and public engagement. Thromde hopes such measures will reduce landfill waste and improve responsible disposal habits.

However, communication remains a challenge. While officials highlight improvements and upcoming technologies, many residents only see the immediate impact- flooded roads, clogged drains, and unattended waste. Officials acknowledge that frustration is understandable, and that many residents may not be aware of the work being done behind the scenes.

Experts like Chophel are contributing to a more informed public dialogue. By explaining the influence of changing rainfall patterns, they are helping residents see that the issue extends beyond local management alone.

Still, authorities recognize that continued progress will require more than infrastructure upgrades. Dialogue with the public remains essential. Thromde notes that financial, technical, and international support will be needed to scale existing systems, deploy smart technologies, and expand education programs that foster a stronger sense of community responsibility.

As the city moves through another monsoon, the challenge ahead is not only to improve drains and waste systems but also to build lasting trust between residents and the authorities tasked with managing Thimphu’s urban environment.