Bhutan: Thimphu Thromde earthquake contingency plan
The purpose of this plan is to ensure that Thimphu Thromde and its partners will be able to deliver prompt, effective and appropriate responses in the aftermath of an earthquake and effectively manage potential humanitarian impacts. The plan will help Thimphu Thromde to:
- Provide rapid and appropriate life saving responses during the first 72 hours (“the Golden Hours”) after an earthquake
- Ensure advance agreements and mechanisms for effective response and recovery
- Build resilience for continuity of Thromde’s functions and services
The Thimphu Thromde Disaster Management Committee prioritized the development of this Earthquake Contingency Plan as earthquakes have the potential to cause the most severe and widespread damage, and because Bhutan lies atop the major earthquake fault that divides the Indian tectonic plate from the Eurasian tectonic plate. Though recent earthquakes have been moderate in size, geologic evidence shows that the fault is capable of breaking under most of the country in a single massive earthquake, leading to unprecedented damages.