Bhutan: Early warning systems to be strengthened

A proposal from the 'Reducing risks and ensuring preparedness for glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF)' conference in Paro, Bhutan, calls to install multi-sensors to help monitor the lakes from Thimphu, according to Tashi Dema, writing for Kuensel.

According to the report, other proposals are underway to install sirens in other river basins, similar to the 17 that have been installed along the Punatsangchu by the economic affairs’ ministry’s hydro-met services department. But since the current siren system works on using single sensor and communication method, international and national experts recommend the usage of multi sensors that would measure precipitation, water level, earthquake, infra sound and geophones.

Participants also recommended to install reliable communications systems like text message or using local media to get disaster messages across, and suggested effective implementation of red zone areas to ensure the reliability and sustainability of early warning systems along the rivers. Economic Affairs’ Secretary Dasho Sonam Tshering, who is also the chairman of the GLOF project, said that the objective of the meeting is to share experiences and that lessons learnt could be applied in future interventions in Bhutan and other GLOF prone countries in the region and beyond.