The unprecedented rate of glacier melting in the Bhutan Himalayas is posing imminent risk, in form of Glacial Lake Outbursts Flood (GLOF), to the downstream population. This is especially so in case of downstream population of Punakha-Wangdue Valley which has experienced at least three GLOF events in 1956, 1961 and 1994. Studies carried out by the Department of Geology and Mines individually and in collaboration with other international agencies have identified 25 potentially dangerous lakes in entire Bhutan region; 8 such glacier lakes are located in the Lunana sub-basin making the present project study area the most vulnerable area from GLOF risk.

Moreover, studies carried out by the Austro-Bhutanese team projected the worst case scenario, through collapse of the wall separating the Thorthormi and the Raphstreng Lakes, as early as 2010. This worst case scenario would have devastating impact to the downstream areas and therefore, mitigation and risk reduction activities, which are will be implemented during the execution of the Full Scale Project (FSP) is immensely relevant and useful to Bhutan, in view of National Disaster Risk Management and Reduction strategy.

The present PDF work on “Reduce climate change-induced risks and vulnerabilities from glacial lake outbursts in the Punakha-Wangdi and Chamkhar Valleys” will take the National Action Plan for Adaptation to Climate Change (NAPA) process a step further by translating the NAPA project concepts into ground reality and developing the capacity of the Royal Government of Bhutan and local communities to adapt to the vulnerabilities related to climate change.

This project is funded by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)/Global Environment Facility (GEF) and is implemented by the Department of Geology and Mines (DGM), Ministry of Trade and Industry, Thimphu, Bhutan.

The objective of the PDF-B Project is “Hazard Zonation and Early Warning System Assessment for GLOF vulnerable areas of Punakha-Wangdue Valley area”.

To achieve the project objective, the management will focus on the following outcomes:

• Compiled collection of baseline studies that analyze the threat of climate change and variability on glacial lakes in Bhutan
• Hazard Zonation and Vulnerability Mapping for the Chamkhar Valley and lower Punakha-Wangdue Valley implemented
• Assessment of most suitable Early Warning System (EWS) for GLOF threat in Punakha-Wangdue Valley completed
• Implementation Plan for the FSP
• FSP Executive Summary document and UNDP Project Document

The outcomes of the PDF-B will contribute for development of a FSP Brief and a UNDP Project Document including implementing plan. For each of the PDF-B outcomes outlined above, the following outputs are expected to be completed during the PDF-B phase of the project:

Output 1:

• Creation of a database listing all available study and project reports on climate change-induced GLOF risks carried out by the Royal Government individually and with bilateral support
• Identification of existing gaps in climate variability studies and project feasibility studies related to GLOF hazard risks

To achieve the above outputs the executing agency, the Department of Geology and Mines (DGM) will carry out the following activities:

• DGM in collaboration with the National Environment Commission (NEC), will create database for all existing studies and completed projects focusing on climate change and variability impact on Bhutan including Disaster Risk Management (DRM) projects and studies. These will be used as baseline information for the designing of a comprehensive FSP.

Output 2:

• Community vulnerability assessed through field surveys, including data collection and community consultations, conducted in Chamkhar Valley and lower Punakha-Wangdue Valley
• Staff trained in GLOF hazard risk issues
• Remote Sensing and Geographic Information System(GIS) data and graphic materials of Chamkhar Valley and lower Punakha-Wangdue Valley areas procured and maintained
• Direct field observation data and remote sensing data analyzed and GLOF hazard zonation and vulnerability maps produced for Chamkhar Valley and lower Punakha-Wangdue Valley

Activities:

• DGM field team will collect data on topography, geology, slope stability, geomorphology, hydro-geology, socio-economy and land use and cover in the study areas
• The project will train DGM staff in remote sensing and GIS application at a regional/international institute. The project will also facilitate DMG staff to participate in regional/international scientific seminars and workshops related to GLOF and natural disasters and provide study tour to DGM staff to gain insights and understanding of GLOF hazard assessment and impact mitigation activities
• DGM will procure satellite images, ERDAS/GEOMATICA/ENVI remote sensing software and ARCGIS software.
• Based on field data, the project will produce maps on topography, slope stability, geology and hydro-geology, socio-economy, and land use and cover in the study areas. Collective analysis of the various maps will be undertaken to produce a GLOF hazard zoantion maps
• The institutional strengthening of DGM will entail procurement of field and office equipments such as:
  1. Global Positioning System (GPS)
  2. Total Station Survey Equipment
  3. Computers (Laptop and desktop)
  4. Laser locators
  5. Portable Generators

Output 3:

• Comparative assessment of EWS in operation in other countries with Bhutan like geophysical conditions
• GLOF related hazards and risks in Punakha-Wangdue Valley assessed

Activities:

• DGM will carry out assessments of an integrated EWS, focusing on technological capabilities, economic installation, and maintenance feasibilities and overall best fit for the Punakha-Wangdue Valley
• GLOF-related hazards and risks will be assessed to determine location of automatic sensors, alarms, and personnel stations in the valley. The planning for the entire EWS will be done before installation during FSP

Output 4:

• Undertake stakeholder consultations and make stakeholders clear of their role and responsibilities during FSP implementations
• Institutional arrangement for FSP at the national, intermediate (Dzongkhags) and local (Geog) level

Activities:

• DGM in collaboration with the Department of Local Governance (DLG) will conduct mapping of all stakeholders and institutional arrangement necessary for FSP implementation
• The stakeholder mapping will ensure that all stakeholders will be included in the design and implementation process of the FSP. Institutional arrangement for implementation of the FSP will determine the leas and collaborative government agencies, their responsibilities and capacities during the implementation of the FSP.

Output 5:

• FSP document developed for submission to the GEF (Global Environment Facility) Secretariat
• UNDP Project Document developed

Activities:

• The GEF implementing agency (UNDP) will be responsible for developing an FSP clearly outlining the scope of the FSP along with the goal, objective, and outcomes of the project, the relevant stakeholders, the sustainability and reliability of the project and the financial mechanism for project funding
• A UNDP Project Document will be prepared with a strong emphasis on evaluation of the outcomes of the project

Click here to download the annual work plan (December 2006 - May 2007).

For more information, please contact:

Mr. Dowchu Dukpa
Project Manager
Department of Geology and Mines
Tel: +975-2-323096
Fax: +975-2-326134
Email: dawchu@gmail.com