Press Release

37th Joint Expert Team (JET) Meeting between India and Bhutan

The 37th Meeting of the Joint Experts Team (JET) between the Government of India (GoI) and the Royal Government of Bhutan (RGoB) was held at Punakha, Bhutan on 11-12 April 2023.

JET is responsible for overseeing the “Comprehensive Scheme for Establishment of Hydro-meteorological Observation and Flood Forecasting Network on Rivers Common to India and Bhutan” established in 1955. Under this cooperation, Bhutan as the upper riparian shares hydro-met data with India that are required for flood forecasting and warning in the Indian State of Assam and West Bengal.

The Indian delegation was led by Shri Subhrangshu Biswas, Teesta & Bagarathi-Damodar Basin Organization (T&BDBO), Central Water Commission, Ministry of Jal Shakti, Department of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation (RD&GR, Government of India) and the Bhutanese delegation was led by Mr. Karma Dupchu, Director, National Centre for Hydrology and Meteorology (NCHM).

The meeting reviewed the progress of the Flood Warning GoI program implemented by NCHM for the FY 2022-2023 and approved the proposed new activities for the FY 2023-2024. JET visited flood warning sites located along the Puna-Wangdi valley. GoI reaffirmed their continued support for the modernization of the flood warning network in Bhutan and the construction of NCHM headquarter and scientific facilities in the 13th FYP (2024-2029).

JET meetings are held twice a year alternatively in Bhutan and India before and after the monsoon. The next JET meeting will be held in India tentatively in the month of November 2023. The meeting was held in a friendly and cordial manner.

Issued by NCHM

Punakha, 13 April 2023

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