Embassy of IndiaThimphu

Bilateral cooperation between Government of India (GoI) and Royal Government of Bhutan (RGoB) on matters relating to trans-boundary rivers

          India and Bhutan appreciate bilateral cooperation on the matter of flood forecasting and flood management pertaining to trans-boundary rivers originating in Bhutan. The mechanism for cooperation consists of expert groups which meet at regular intervals. These are a Joint Group of Experts (JGE) and a Joint Technical Team (JTT) on flood management and a Joint Experts Team (JET) on flood forecasting. Cooperation in the areas of flood management and flood forecasting was reviewed during the Secretary-level meeting held in Thimphu on 25 February 2026 between the two countries.

          Under the bilateral mechanism, through Government of India’s support under the “Comprehensive Scheme for Establishment of Hydro-Meteorological and Flood Forecasting Network on rivers common to India and Bhutan”, a network of hydro-meteorological observation stations have been established on trans-boundary rivers originating in Bhutan. Bhutan, shares the hydro-meteorological data with India, which assists flood forecasting downstream. In the context of this cooperation, Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of India handed over a cheque amounting to INR/Nu. 27.37 million (2.737 crores) from the Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India to Director General, National Centre for Hydrology and Meteorology (NCHM), Royal Government of Bhutan.

          In addition, Government of India through Project Tied Assistance is supporting the construction and establishment of a new NCHM headquarters including the National Weather and Flood Warning Centre (NWFWC) in Thimphu at a cost of INR/Nu. 327 million (32.7 crores). The new facility is expected to contribute to NCHM fulfilling its functioning.

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Thimphu

21 July 2026