The Department of Disaster Management is preparing a National Earthquake Plan.
A Senior Programme Officer with the Department of Disaster Management, Jigme Chogyal said his department already has had bilateral discussions with relevant ministries and technical agencies.
“We had a National Disaster Management Authority meeting and all the bilateral findings were presented to the Prime Minister.”
He said they now have a clear instruction to bring together the preparations of different agencies under one umbrella.
During the recent Meet the Press session, the Prime Minister had said Bhutan should be prepared.
“There is a lot of preparation and we are investing as much resources as we can and implementing as much preparedness in capacity building as we can now.”
Lyonchhen said Bhutan isn’t fully prepared but the government is doing its best.
Schools and hospitals are being checked to see if they are earthquake-resistance.
“… Since hospital and schools will have patients and students, we want to make sure that they are as safe as possible. If there are any schools that are extremely vulnerable, then we should take immediate measures to evacuate the school regardless of the fact that it may appear sound now.”
Vulnerability check has been completed for seven dzongkhags, till now.
