India, Bhutan review hydropower projects, strengthen flood forecasting and data-sharing cooperation

India and Bhutan have reviewed progress on key hydropower projects and discussed steps to strengthen cooperation on trans-boundary rivers, flood forecasting and data sharing during a four-day visit by a senior Indian delegation to the Himalayan kingdom.

Shri V. L. Kantha Rao, Secretary, Department of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation (DoWR, RD & GR), Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India, led the delegation to Bhutan from February 24 to 27, 2026. The delegation included officials from DoWR, RD & GR, representatives of the governments of Assam and West Bengal, and WAPCOS Ltd.

A Secretary-level bilateral meeting held on February 25 reviewed existing mechanisms of cooperation between the two countries in flood management and flood forecasting. The two sides discussed strengthening and modernising the hydro-meteorological observation network in Bhutan on trans-border rivers and improving real-time data-sharing mechanisms for hydro-meteorological and flood forecasting data.


Deliberations also covered enhancing collaboration in capacity building and technical exchanges, and addressing emerging challenges linked to climate change, glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) and extreme weather events.

During the visit, the Indian delegation reviewed ongoing activities at the Punatsangchhu-I Hydro Electric Project, which is being implemented in Bhutan in partnership with the Government of India. The Secretary also visited the recently commissioned Punatsangchhu-II Hydroelectric Project and held meetings with officials of PHPA-I and PHPA-II to assess project progress.

In addition, site visits were conducted to the National Center for Hydrology and Meteorology (NCHM) in Thimphu, the 3.5 MLD Water Treatment Plant at Chamgang, and the NCHM flood monitoring station near Wangdue Phodrang Dzong.

Following the bilateral meeting, Kantha Rao paid a courtesy call on H.E. Lyonpo Gem Tshering, Bhutan’s Minister for Energy and Natural Resources.

According to the Ministry of Jal Shakti, the visit aimed at enhancing cooperation in water resources management, flood forecasting and climate resilience in shared river basins. It reaffirmed the commitment of both countries to the sustainable and mutually beneficial management of trans-boundary water resources, with India reiterating its continued support for deepening collaboration in the sector.