BBSCL

The recent Tibet earthquake with its tremors felt across the Himalayas was a cause for alarm for Bhutan. While the quake had only triggered an avalanche in Lunana, the Department of Geology and Mines emphasises that adhering to earthquake-resilient building codes is crucial for withstanding future seismic shocks in major towns. The earthquake-resilient building codes are systematically implemented in Bhutan...

The prime minister has instructed vehicle dealers in Thimphu and Phuentsholing to refund customers for overcharged Green Tax within a month. The overcharged amount comes to around 31 million ngultrum. The prime minister said this during a meeting with the vehicle dealers yesterday. Tax officials found that 11 out of 38 dealers had overcharged customers while remitting lower amounts to...

Commuters travelling along the Samtse-Phuentsholing highway are calling on authorities to address pressing safety concerns. Poor visibility caused by fog is frequent, especially during the monsoon season and has made travelling along the newly blacktopped road increasingly dangerous. People say there is a need to install road markings, crash barriers, and traffic signs along the highway. Located at an altitude...

With the country facing increasing natural disasters driven by climate change, Bhutan’s disaster preparedness remains inadequate. This is according to the World Bank’s recent "Crisis Preparedness Gap Analysis" policy brief. This year alone, Bhutan has already experienced around five reported forest fire cases and an earthquake, highlighting the natural hazards the country is vulnerable to. According to the document, the...