KATHMANDU – Nepal is significantly bolstering its disaster risk reduction strategies, with a particular emphasis on expanding flood early warning systems across critical river basins and implementing measures to mitigate risks associated with glacial lakes. These initiatives are part of a broader national effort to enhance preparedness and resilience against escalating climate-related hazards in the Himalayan nation.
The Chenab Times has learned that the government plans to establish flood early warning systems in six major river basins under the Priority River Basins Flood Risk Management Project, set to run from 2022 to 2028. This project involves an investment of $7.54 million and will provide round-the-clock flood forecasting and early warning services during the monsoon season, typically from mid-May to mid-October.
Complementing these efforts, the Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) Sanjeevani Project is set to address the growing concerns over glacial lake instability, exacerbated by rising temperatures and accelerated glacier melt in the Himalayas. From 2026 to 2033, this project will focus on lowering water levels in four high-risk glacial lakes: Thulagi in Manang district, Lower Barun in Sankhuwasabha district, and Lumding Tsho and Hongu-2 in Solukhumbu district. The estimated budget for this critical undertaking is $49.9 million. This initiative builds upon previous successful interventions at Tsho Rolpa and Imja Lake, where water levels were reduced to mitigate GLOF threats.
These plans come in the wake of devastating floods on August 26, which resulted in approximately 1,500 fatalities and left over 5,000 people missing. The floods also caused an estimated $1.81 billion in physical damage, according to the Nepali government’s preliminary assessment.
Nepal’s commitment to disaster risk reduction is further underscored by its integration of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction into its National Disaster Risk Reduction Strategic Action Plan 2015-2030. The country is actively working towards a comprehensive federalized disaster governance structure, finalizing legislation and institutional arrangements to ensure disaster resilience. This national strategy emphasizes a holistic approach to risk reduction, incorporating lessons learned from past disasters and aligning with global commitments.
Various organizations and initiatives are contributing to these resilience efforts. The Resilience, Adaptation and Inclusion in Nepal (RAIN) program, funded by the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), focuses on strengthening climate resilience in the Madhesh and Lumbini Provinces. RAIN empowers communities to anticipate, prepare for, and respond to climate risks through a locally led and inclusive approach, with a key focus on enhancing Early Warning Systems (EWS) and promoting Early Action (EA) at the grassroots level. The program champions community knowledge, capacity, and agency, aligning with localization agendas and fostering sustainable resilience efforts.
Suryodaya Municipality in eastern Nepal has emerged as a model for disaster resilience by embracing the Ten Essentials for Making Cities Resilient, a framework developed under the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction’s (UNDRR) Making Cities Resilient 2030 (MCR2030) initiative. Suryodaya has developed local disaster and climate resilience plans and is actively working on its Local Adaptation Plan of Action (LAPA) to address long-term climate threats. The municipality has also translated the Disaster Resilience Scorecard for Cities into Nepali to improve community engagement and has integrated a GIS-based risk profile into Nepal’s national DRR platform, Bipad. Furthermore, Suryodaya is piloting innovative insurance schemes for agricultural and livestock risks and is developing a DRR financing strategy.
Youth are also playing a crucial role in building Nepal’s resilience. The Youth Empowerment in DRR initiative is training young people in emergency response, preparedness, and community outreach, preparing the next generation of resilience leaders.
Nepal’s vulnerability to natural hazards, including floods, landslides, droughts, earthquakes, and glacial lake outburst floods, is a significant concern, compounded by its reliance on climate-sensitive sectors like agriculture. The country’s geological location, situated above the collision of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates, also heightens its susceptibility to earthquakes. Systemic issues such as unregulated sand mining and riverbank encroachment further exacerbate these vulnerabilities.
To address these challenges, Nepal has established a robust disaster management system, including the Natural Calamity (Relief) Act of 1982, which has been amended to focus on comprehensive disaster risk management, preparedness, and mitigation. The Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2017 aims to strengthen the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, although challenges related to inter-agency coordination and financial autonomy persist.
The United Nations organizations are actively supporting Nepal’s localized approach to resilience building, working closely with federal, provincial, and local levels of government. Initiatives like the Strengthening Urban Preparedness, Earthquake Preparedness and Response in Western Regions of Nepal (SUPER) project, implemented by a UNDP, UNICEF, UN Women consortium, aim to enhance preparedness for urban and earthquake risks. These efforts emphasize gender equality, disability, and social inclusion mainstreaming in disaster risk reduction, with a focus on developing gender-responsive frameworks and conducting safety audits.
The country’s disaster management framework also includes mechanisms like the Central Natural Disaster Relief Committee (CNDRC), chaired by the Home Minister, which coordinates relief and rehabilitation efforts and recommends emergency declarations.
Nepal’s commitment to disaster risk education is evident through programs that train teachers, students, and community members on preparedness and response. These initiatives aim to foster a culture of resilience, equipping individuals with the knowledge and skills to mitigate the effects of disasters. The country’s Mid-Term Review of the implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 highlights both the progress achieved and the areas requiring continued improvement in disaster risk management governance.
Despite facing a spectrum of natural hazards, Nepal is demonstrating a strong resolve to build resilience through strategic planning, community engagement, and international partnerships, aiming to create safer and more sustainable communities for the future.
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The Chenab Times News Desk
