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National Center for Hydrology and Meteorology

JICA TCP Phase II Project

Project Title: Project for Capacity Enhancement of Meteorological Observation, Forecasting and Flood Warning, for Disaster Preparedness and Response in Thimphu and Paro River Basins

Project Summary

Under the JICA Phase I project, rainstorm flood early warning system was installed in Chamkhar chhu and Mangdechhu river basins. The similar system was required in Wangchu river basin since this basin has the historical flash flood and flooding reported due to the extreme weather events. Therefore, JICA TCP Phase II project is implemented to build the capacity of meteorological observation and setting up Rainstorm flood early warning system in Thimpchhu and Pachhu sub river basin. The project time line is for three years starting from Feb 2020 to Mar 2023. The COVID-19 pandemic sitatuion has delayed the implemention of the project, however, JICA experts are closely working remotely with the counterparts from NCHM and other implementing parterns for preparation of the activities under the project.

Outline of the Project

Overall goal: Disaster resilient society against weather induced disasters is realized through improvement of NCHM’s observation and forecasting and utilization of data and information by DDM (Department of Disaster Management), target Dzongkhags and Thromde as well as other related organizations in Thimphu and Paro River Basins.

Project Purpose: Capacity of NCHM for observation, forecasting and warning is enhanced, and capacity of DDM and DMOs (Disaster Management Officers) from target Dzongkhags and Thromde for flood disaster preparedness and response are enhanced.

Outputs of the project

Output 1: Capacity of NCHM on flood hazard assessment, forecasting and warning is enhanced.

Activity 1-1:   NCHM develops flood runoff models in target river basins by incorporating precipitation data.

Activity 1-2:   NCHM carries out rehabilitation of two AWLS (Automatic Water Level Station) in target river basins (Dodena station and Gunitsawa station).

Activity 1-3:   NCHM develops flood hazard maps in target river basins in coordination with FEMD (Flood Engineering Management Division) of DES (Department of Engineering Services), DDM and DMOs from target Dzongkhags and Thromde.

Activity 1-4:   NCHM provides recommendations from a medium- and long-term perspective about meteorological and hydrological observation systems (i.e. AWS (Automatic Weather Station), AWLS and manned hydrometeorological observation stations etc.) in order to improve accuracy of flood runoff model developed in Activity 1-1.

Activity 1-5:   NCHM analyzes the hydrological data including flood water level, discharge and lead time at selected project's sites.

Activity 1-6:   NCHM designs and develops the flood EWS (Early Warning System) at selected project’s sites and installs and operates them.

Activity 1-7:   NCHM develops guidelines for operation and maintenance of flood EWS in selected project's sites.

Output 2: Capacity of NCHM on weather observation, forecasting and communication of weather information is enhanced.

Activity 2-1:   NCHM enhances understanding of calibration procedures through trainings of calibration of weather observation instruments.

Activity 2-2:   NCHM improves the accuracy of weather observation instruments through conducting calibration and maintenance of meteorological observation instruments.

Activity 2-3:   NCHM incorporates more local stations to the GTS in order to transmit data from more local stations to the RTH (Regional Telecommunication Hubs).

Activity 2-4:   NCHM examines the way for more active utilization of satellite data in order to improve accuracy of weather forecast, and conducts verification of the utilization of GSMaP (Global Satellite Mapping of Precipitation) data.

Activity 2-5:   NCHM examines possibility of introducing forecast guidance for temperature and for quantitative precipitation forecast using available forecast products from NWFWC (National Weather and Flood Warning Center).

Activity 2-6:   NCHM enhances understanding of advanced utilization of Himawari Cast and SATAID installed during the Phase I Project in order to improve accuracy of weather forecast through trainings and technical advices from JICA experts.

Activity 2-7:   NCHM improves contents and communication method of weather forecasting information by utilizing satellite data and provides them in order to enhance understanding by recipients.

Activity 2-8:   NCHM improves contents of weather forecast broadcasting programs through installation of weather forecasting broadcasting studio within NWFWC.

Activity 2-9:   NCHM initiates statistical analysis of accumulative rainfalls and occurrence of landslides.

Output 3: Capacity of DDM and DMOs in target Dzongkhags and Thromde for flood disaster preparedness and response is enhanced.

Activity 3-1:   DDM, in coordination with DMOs from target Dzongkhags and Thromde, reviews each Disaster Management and Contingency Plan as a preparation for developing flood SOPs (Standard Operation Procedures) in target Dzongkhags and Thromde.

Activity 3-2:   DDM and NCHM, in coordination with DMOs from target Dzongkhags and Thromde, prepare draft SOPs for target Dzongkhags and Thromde for management of flood disasters.

Activity 3-3:   Arrangement of information dissemination among related stakeholders including vulnerable community during the flood emergency situation is developed as part of the SOPs.

Activity 3-4:   DDM, in coordination with DMOs from target Dzongkhags and Thromde, develops the list of equipment for Dzongkhag and Thromde Emergency Operation Centers (DEOC/TEOC) including specifications of equipment as a reference material for SOPs developed in Activity 3.2.

Activity 3-5:   DDM, in coordination with DMOs from target Dzongkhags and Thromde, develops scenario and procedures for flood disaster drill at selected project’s sites for disaster preparedness.

Activity 3-6:   DDM, in coordination with DMOs from target Dzongkhags and Thromde, modifies scenario and procedures for flood disaster drill by reflecting experience of disaster drill implementation in selected project’s sites.

 

Contact Point

Mr. Tayba Buddha Tamang, Chief/Project Manager, Hydrology and Water Resources Services Division, National Center for Hydrology and Meteorology

email: tbtamang@nchm.gov.bt phone: 00975 2 323632

Mr. Araki Hideki, Team Leader/Flood Management /Disaster Management Planning, JICA Project Phase II

email: araki-hideki@ess-jpn.co.jp