Public Disclosure Copy The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Hydromet Services and Disaster Resilience Regional project (P154477) Hydromet Services and Disaster Resilience Regional project (P154477) SOUTH ASIA | Bhutan | Social, Urban, Rural and Resilience Global Practice Global Practice | Recipient Executed Activities | Investment Project Financing | FY 2017 | Seq No: 5 | ARCHIVED on 06-Aug-2019 | ISR36548 | Implementing Agencies: Department of Disaster Management, Royal Government of Bhutan, National Center for Hydrology and Meteorology, Department of Agriculture and Forests Key Dates Key Project Dates Bank Approval Date:20-Sep-2016 Effectiveness Date:03-Oct-2016 Original Closing Date:31-Dec-2021 Revised Closing Date:31-Dec-2021 Project Development Objectives Project Development Objective (from Project Appraisal Document) The proposed development objective of this project is to strengthen Bhutan's capacity for hydromet services and disaster preparedness. Has the Project Development Objective been changed since Board Approval of the Project Objective? No PHRPDODEL Components Name Overall Ratings Name Previous Rating Current Rating Progress towards achievement of PDO  Moderately Satisfactory  Moderately Satisfactory Overall Implementation Progress (IP)  Moderately Satisfactory  Moderately Satisfactory Implementation Status and Key Decisions The project has been progressing well in its implementation with most of the major procurement packages at advanced stages of completion and on track to be completed by the project closing date except for the establishment of the NEOC. A summary of implementation activities is noted below: Component A: Hydromet Services Improvement, implemented by the National Center for Hydrology and Meteorology (NCHM) Enhancement of weather forecasting through operationalization of a common operating platform for automated hydromet services delivery - The SMART-Met system, which is a common operating platform for weather forecasting and dissemination of weather information is now 8/6/2019 Page 1 of 6 Public Disclosure Copy Public Disclosure Copy The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Hydromet Services and Disaster Resilience Regional project (P154477) operationalized. The SMART-Met system has enabled effective and efficient access to all the available weather forecasting inputs accessible by NCHM. The system operates to view and analyze available observed data and forecasting models on a single platform which offers well organized systematic product generation, which leads to increased reliability of forecasts. Strengthening of aviation meteorology – Installation of aviation met equipment which include an automatic weather observation system (AWOS), a ceilometer and a wind profiler at the Paro International Airport and a ceilometer at Bumthang domestic airport has been completed and are now operational. Enhancing flood forecasting – A Flood Decision Support System (FDSS) and procurement of river survey equipment is under progress. The FDSS is being prepared in partnership with RIMES (Regional Integrated Multi-Hazard Early Warning System for Africa and Asia). Modelling of the Wangchu using HEC-HMS was done jointly with RIMES and NCHM carried out the modelling of the Amochu and Dagachu on its own. The system is expected to be tested within September 2019. Component B: Disaster Preparedness and Response Capacity Improvement, implemented by the Department of Disaster Management Enhancement of emergency communication – The procurement for emergency communication equipment has been completed. To strengthen emergency communication for the entire country, the DDM is collaborating with the Disaster Communication and Helpline Unit (DCHU) under the Royal Bhutan Police (RBP). With the budget available for this purpose under the project, DDM bought six digital repeater systems, one base station and 16 digital VHF (Very High Frequency) sets and handed over to the DCHU to be installed as a part of the overall network taken care by them (installation, maintenance, manning for security reasons). This has made it possible to cover all the 20 districts at the head quarter level. Enhancing information base for disaster management – The establishment of the Disaster Management Information System (DMIS) has been completed. The DMIS has five features: pre-crisis data, reporting of disasters from field, records of past disasters, risk mapping and inventory disaster risk management activities. It is expected to help DDM make informed decisions for all stages of a disaster and improve preparedness and response capacity of DDM. Design, construction and equipping of the NEOC – The design and drawings of the NEOC have been completed and submitted to Thimphu Thromde for approval which is expected by August 30, 2019. The construction of NEOC is expected to start in October this year after the approval of the designs and drawings from competent authorities and selection of a construction contractor. Strengthening of helicopter operations for emergency services – Training of three national helicopter pilots and procurement of two fueling stations have been completed. Five helipads are planned to be constructed out of which the one in Mongar has been completed. The four other helipads are proposed in Lunana, Punakha, Wangduephodrang (Phobjikha) and Thimphu (Jangothang). The construction of helipad at Lunana had to be advertised again as no bids were received in response to the first call. The deadline for submission of bids for the second round is on August 8. Sites in Punakha and Wangduephodrang will be confirmed in the next two weeks. Component C: Design of an Agromet Decision Support System, implemented by the Department of Agriculture Design of agromet decision support system (ADSS) – The ADSS is at final stages of completion and is expected to be completed by September 30, 2019. The advisories will be prepared based on the three-day weather forecast from NCHM. The project also facilitated signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the NCHM and DOA in supporting each other to enhance agromet services. Pilot development and delivery of agromet information products in two districts - The pilot sites for testing the agromet advisories are Samtenling Gewog in Sarpang and Lyuni and Shaba Gewog in Paro. Crop calendars for these identified areas have been developed and populated in the ADSS. A Training of Trainers to regional officers and field officers (about 20 participants) was conducted in March 2019 for the use of the ADSS. Risks Overall Risk Rating Risk Category Rating at Approval Previous Rating Current Rating Overall  --  Substantial  Substantial Results 8/6/2019 Page 2 of 6 Public Disclosure Copy Public Disclosure Copy The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Hydromet Services and Disaster Resilience Regional project (P154477) Project Development Objective Indicators PHINDPDOTBL Strengthened capacity for hydromet services. (Measured by increase in number of services developed) (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 0.00 2.00 2.00 Date 21-Sep-2016 23-Nov-2017 05-Aug-2019 30-Jun-2020 Comments The following services are now provided: 1. Wind advisories for the Paro International Airport 2. Improved weather forecasts for flood forecasting PHINDPDOTBL Improved capacity for preparedness. (Measured by strengthened emergency communications capacity established at the district level) (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 0.00 20.00 15.00 Date 21-Sep-2016 23-Nov-2017 05-Aug-2019 30-Jun-2020 Comments Enhancement of emergency communication – In the past, communication during a disaster was a major issue with cellular towers jammed and calls not going through. To strengthen emergency communication for the entire country, the DDM is collaborating with the Disaster Communication and Helpline Unit (DCHU) under the Royal Bhutan Police (RBP). With the budget available for this purpose under the project, DDM bought six digital repeater systems, one base station and 16 digital VHF (Very High Frequency) sets and handed over to the DCHU to be installed as a part of the overall network taken care by them (installation, maintenance, manning for security reasons). This has made it possible to cover all the 20 districts at the head quarter level. The digital repeater systems help increase the coverage range of normal handsets. Hence forth, any digital handsets bought by any agency for the purpose of enhancing emergency communication will be linked to this network of repeater systems and distributed to the districts. Depending on budget availability from different sources, the plan is to expand this network to all 205 gewogs and improve the efficiency of communication during emergencies. Overall Comments Intermediate Results Indicators 8/6/2019 Page 3 of 6 Public Disclosure Copy Public Disclosure Copy The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Hydromet Services and Disaster Resilience Regional project (P154477) PHINDIRITBL Improved Infrastructure for Aviation meteorology (Percentage, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 0.00 100.00 100.00 Date 21-Sep-2016 23-Nov-2017 15-Jan-2019 30-Jun-2020 Comments The project supported installation of an automatic weather observation system (AWOS), a ceilometer and a wind profiler at the Paro International Airport and a ceilometer at Bumthang domestic airport. The installation and system testing of these equipment were completed in November 2018 and the systems are now operational. With the new AWOS in place, the process of preparing METAR (Meteorological Terminal Aviation Routine) Weather Report, also known as Meteorological Aerodrome Report has been automated, which earlier had to be done manually. Earlier, there was no data for wind shear and it was based on a pilot's experience to understand the wind shear. With the wind profiler installed, wind shear data within the range of the wind profiler is made available to the pilots, giving them more time to make decisions. With the installation of the ceilometers, the accuracy of measurement of cloud heights within the range of the ceilometer is better. Overall, these have helped improve the safety of flight operations. PHINDIRITBL Improved integration of meteorological data from different sources (Yes/No, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value N N Y Y Date 21-Sep-2016 23-Nov-2017 15-Jan-2019 30-Jun-2020 Comments The project supported operationalization of the SMART-Met system, which is a common operating platform for weather forecasting and dissemination of weather information. The SMART-Met system has enabled effective and efficient access to all the available weather forecasting inputs accessible by NCHM which include data from hydrometeorological stations in the country, GTS (Global Telecommunication System), Himawari satellite images and the Numerical Weather Prediction models (Weather Research and Forecasting [WRF], Global Forecasting System [GFS] and Global Environmental Multiscale Model [GEM]). The system operates to view and analyze available observed data and forecasting models on a single platform which offers well organized systematic product generation, which leads to increased reliability forecasts. 8/6/2019 Page 4 of 6 Public Disclosure Copy Public Disclosure Copy The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Hydromet Services and Disaster Resilience Regional project (P154477) PHINDIRITBL Infrastructure for air rescue operations established (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 0.00 2.00 2.00 Date 21-Sep-2016 23-Nov-2017 15-Jan-2019 30-Jun-2020 Comments Two helicopter fueling stations have been procured through the project. PHINDIRITBL Agromet advisories developed for pilot districts (Number, Custom) Baseline Actual (Previous) Actual (Current) End Target Value 0.00 0.00 0.00 2.00 Date 21-Sep-2016 23-Nov-2017 15-Jan-2019 30-Jun-2020 Overall Comments Data on Financial Performance Disbursements (by loan) Project Loan/Credit/TF Status Currency Original Revised Cancelled Disbursed Undisbursed Disbursed P154477 TF-A3507 Effective USD 1.50 1.50 0.00 1.08 0.42 72% P154477 TF-A3511 Effective USD 1.80 1.31 0.49 1.31 0.00 100% P154477 TF-A3513 Closed USD 0.50 0.50 0.00 0.50 0.00 100% Not P154477 TF-B0586 USD 0.49 0.49 0.00 0.00 0.49 0% Effective Key Dates (by loan) 8/6/2019 Page 5 of 6 Public Disclosure Copy Public Disclosure Copy The World Bank Implementation Status & Results Report Hydromet Services and Disaster Resilience Regional project (P154477) Project Loan/Credit/TF Status Approval Date Signing Date Effectiveness Date Orig. Closing Date Rev. Closing Date P154477 TF-A3507 Effective 20-Sep-2016 21-Sep-2016 03-Oct-2016 30-Jun-2020 28-Feb-2021 P154477 TF-A3511 Effective 20-Sep-2016 21-Sep-2016 03-Oct-2016 30-Jun-2020 31-Aug-2020 P154477 TF-A3513 Closed 20-Sep-2016 21-Sep-2016 03-Oct-2016 30-Jun-2017 31-May-2019 Not P154477 TF-B0586 28-Jun-2019 -- -- 31-Dec-2021 31-Dec-2021 Effective Cumulative Disbursements Restructuring History Level 2 Approved on 18-May-2017 ,Level 2 Approved on 27-Jun-2018 ,Level 2 Approved on 28-Jun-2019 Related Project(s) There are no related projects. 8/6/2019 Page 6 of 6 Public Disclosure Copy