In a large-scale effort to assess the capital’s preparedness for a major seismic event, authorities conducted a full-scale earthquake simulation exercise across Thimphu on Wednesday, bringing together emergency responders, healthcare workers, security agencies and disaster management officials.
The exercise was designed around a hypothetical magnitude 7.5 earthquake striking Bhutan, a scenario experts say remains a significant threat given the country’s location in one of the world’s most seismically active regions.
The simulation depicted widespread destruction across the city, including the collapse of a hotel, severe structural damage to residential buildings, and a fire outbreak in Olakha. Though entirely staged, the exercise provided a realistic test of emergency response systems and coordination mechanisms that would be required during a real disaster.
Across nine locations in the capital, rescue teams carried out mock search-and-rescue operations, damage assessments, victim evacuations and emergency medical responses. Around 20 volunteers acted as earthquake victims, portraying injuries ranging from fractures and crush injuries to head trauma and fatalities.
At the Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital (JDWNRH), the drill began with the activation of emergency protocols. Hospital staff and patients were evacuated to designated safe areas, while incident management teams conducted personnel accountability checks and assessed available resources. Temporary medical tents were rapidly established within the hospital compound to expand treatment capacity, and ambulances transported simulated casualties from affected locations.
Medical teams then triaged and treated incoming patients based on the severity of their injuries, testing the hospital’s ability to handle a sudden surge of casualties while maintaining effective coordination among responders.
While the exercise highlighted the strengths of the hospital’s emergency response system, officials also identified critical shortcomings. According to incident commanders, one of the key lessons was the limited availability of resources required to establish field hospitals quickly if major healthcare facilities become unusable following an earthquake.
Health sector evaluators noted that although JDWNRH demonstrated a strong response, some health centres would require improvements in logistics and manpower to cope effectively with a large-scale disaster.
A central command and control room served as the coordination hub during the exercise, enabling officials from different sectors to communicate with field teams, monitor developments and direct resources where needed.
The simulation, known as SIMEX-II, was organised by the Department of Local Governance and Disaster Management under the Ministry of Home Affairs. It followed weeks of planning and was developed as the second phase of a broader earthquake preparedness initiative. The exercise built upon an earlier tabletop simulation conducted this year and was aimed at validating the Thimphu Earthquake Contingency Plan.
Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay, who observed the exercise, said the recent earthquake felt in Bhutan should serve as a warning rather than a cause for complacency.
He stressed that while scientists cannot predict exactly when a major earthquake will occur, Bhutan must remain prepared for the possibility, particularly given the country’s high seismic vulnerability.
Experts participating in the exercise echoed those concerns. They pointed out that although newer buildings in Thimphu generally meet improved construction standards, many older and more vulnerable structures remain throughout the city, contributing to a high overall risk profile.
Officials said the exercise demonstrated encouraging levels of inter-agency coordination and emergency planning. However, gaps remain, particularly in specialised search-and-rescue equipment. Despite having trained personnel and established procedures, responders acknowledged that a lack of equipment could hamper operations during a real emergency.
Disaster resilience specialists also emphasised that simulations cannot fully replicate the uncertainty of an actual catastrophe. In a real earthquake, responders would have limited information about where resources are most urgently needed, making preparedness, coordination mechanisms and pre-positioned equipment even more critical.
Lessons identified during the exercise will now be incorporated into future planning and preparedness measures as authorities continue efforts to strengthen Thimphu’s resilience against major earthquakes.
Bhutan’s deadliest recorded earthquake remains the magnitude 8.5 event of 1714, a reminder of the devastating impact a major seismic disaster could have on the Himalayan kingdom.
