Reducing flood casualties in Nepal
The West Rapti River basin, situated in Nepal's Lumbini Province, faces significant flooding risks. Population growth and agricultural activities in flood-prone areas have intensified the impact of river floods on communities in the Basin. Major flooding sources include riverine overflow, flash floods and heavy rainfall-induced inundation.
The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology (DHM) originally introduced Flood Forecasting and Early Warning Services (FFEWS) in 2016 as a community-based system, today its outreach has been extended through SMS, social media, radio, television and email.
In 2018, the implementation of the South Asian Flash Flood Guidance System extended the FFEWS scope to include early warning for flash floods in the small tributaries of the river system. Implementation of two systems has reduced human casualties from flooding throughout the country – in just five years the number of deaths went from 166 in 2017 to to 27 in 2022 despite higher magnitude flooding in 2022.