June 10, 2025
THIMPHU – With monsoon rains lashing the country, roadblocks, landslides, and vehicle accidents are resurfacing as familiar threats to Bhutan’s fragile transport infrastructure and public safety.
The intensifying impacts of climate change on the country’s road network came under scrutiny during the recent Meet the Press session.
Although the question was directed to the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport (MoIT), it was the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Employment, Namgyal Dorji, who addressed the media, detailing both ongoing challenges and the response mechanisms in place.
“Since most road emergencies are unexpected, we have stationed machines at all critical sites where road stretches are prone to repeated weather-related impacts,” lyonpo said. “Our field engineers remain on alert around the clock during monsoon and snowfall seasons. They also maintain contact with nearby machine owners to respond promptly to any emergencies that may arise.”
He added that the government is exploring new technologies to stabilise landslide-prone areas, with both technical and financial support being sought from external partners.
Lyonpo emphasised the need to strike a balance between reactive and preventive approaches.
“The Department of Surface Transport (DoST) is continuously exploring more efficient ways to respond promptly to road emergencies,” he said, noting that the ministry’s priorities include preventing landslides, informing the public to facilitate travel planning, and mitigating damage quickly.
MoIT backed these claims with extensive data, highlighting the scale and complexity of their ongoing efforts.
DoST, which is responsible for maintaining 4,656.74 kilometres of road and 366 bridges—including Primary and Secondary National Highways and Dzongkhag Roads—is at the forefront of the government’s monsoon preparedness and response strategies.
Monsoon months, particularly from July to September, are especially hazardous for the country’s southern regions, where the terrain is already geologically vulnerable. Landslides, flash floods, falling rocks, and debris flows become regular occurrences during this period.
To address these risks, DoST has pre-positioned heavy machinery, including wheel excavators and payloaders, at high-risk locations to ensure quick clearance of roadblocks. Regional Offices (ROs) play a key role in detecting and responding to disruptions, closely coordinating with the central office in Thimphu.
Roadblocks are typically identified through field patrols, reports from local subdivisions, and alerts from the police or local governments. Once verified, damage assessments are carried out and necessary machinery is deployed. Although delays may occur due to the logistical challenges of transporting equipment to remote sites, site engineers are trained to respond swiftly wherever possible.
Public communication has become a critical part of the response strategy. Road condition updates are disseminated via the Bhutan RoadWatch mobile app, DoST’s official Facebook page, and scheduled reports. These platforms offer real-time alerts and regular updates at 8:30 AM and 6:30 PM daily, along with annual summaries for transparency and record-keeping.
Budget allocations over the past few years reflect the growing importance of monsoon restoration efforts. Between fiscal years 2020–2021 and 2023–2024, the government allocated an annual budget of Nu 187 million for such work. In the current fiscal year, 2024–2025, the budget has nearly doubled to Nu 350 million, highlighting the scale and urgency of interventions.
As of June 3 this year, a total of 282 roadblocks—39 classified as major and 243 as minor—have already been recorded. In comparison, 343 roadblocks were reported last year, and 480 the year before. Roadblocks are categorised based on clearance time: major ones require more than an hour to clear, while minor ones are resolved within 30 to 60 minutes, regardless of the resources used.
Regional offices are authorised to hire private machinery during emergencies, with financial support from annual emergency funds. According to MoIT, no funding shortfalls have been reported so far.
Post-monsoon, the ministry assesses structural damage to roads and bridges. Geotechnical and structural engineers from DoST headquarters inspect affected areas and recommend necessary repairs or mitigation measures. These projects are prioritised based on urgency, and implementation is closely supervised with digital documentation to ensure quality and accountability.
Alongside infrastructure-focused responses, the Bhutan Construction and Transport Authority (BCTA) has been working to improve road safety and awareness. Between January 2024 and May 27, 2025, BCTA conducted 17 road safety campaigns, reaching more than 5,000 individuals. These efforts focused on promoting safe driving practices, including avoiding alcohol, following speed limits, and staying off mobile devices while driving. During the same period, 629 passenger bus drivers and conductors were certified in safety protocols.
Despite these initiatives, traffic data for May 2025 reveals persistent safety challenges. A total of 123 motor vehicle accidents were reported across the 20 dzongkhags, resulting in six deaths and 74 injuries. Thimphu recorded the highest number with 27 incidents, followed by Sarpang with 13 and Mongar with 10.
Drunk driving was the leading cause of these accidents, accounting for 28 cases. Other contributing factors included failure to maintain vehicle control (22), tailgating (10), and unsafe overtaking (6). While only a handful of accidents were directly linked to weather-related causes such as landslides, boulder falls, or heavy rain, these hazards significantly increase the overall risk on the roads during the monsoon.
Meanwhile, the DoST is reviewing the cost-effectiveness of two operational approaches: maintaining standby machinery with associated idle charges versus hiring equipment only when needed. The ministry aims to balance financial prudence with the need for rapid emergency response.