Nepal is no stranger to natural disasters, with floods and landslides occurring frequently and causing tragic losses each year. Each year, these events lead to heartbreaking losses of life, widespread property damage, and long-term social and economic impacts The recent events from late September 2024 underscore this urgent issue, with 224 lives lost, over 158 injured, 24 missing and extensive damage including the Kathmandu Valley, leaving entire communities devastated. These incidents emphasize the need for effective early warning systems and proactive disaster mitigation strategies.
The Current Situation and Its Impact: Heavy rainfall across Nepal between September 26–28 led to record-breaking water levels, including the highest flow in the Saptakoshi River in 56 years. The Kathmandu Valley also experienced historic rainfall, disrupting lives and damaging key infrastructure.
Economic losses are also staggering. Damages to hydropower facilities alone are estimated at NPR 3 billion, with additional losses across roads, bridges, agriculture, telecommunications, and more. This devastation highlights the urgent need for advanced technology to help mitigate the impact of these recurrent disasters.
Understanding the Challenge: The frequency and intensity of floods and landslides are increasing, often exacerbated by changing weather patterns. This makes timely, accurate disaster monitoring and early warning systems more critical than ever. Local governments play an essential role in responding to these emergencies, yet having the right resources is key to protecting communities effectively.
The Four Pillars of Disaster Risk Reduction and Innovative Solutions:
- Disaster Risk Knowledge
Systematically collecting data and conducting risk assessments are crucial steps in understanding the hazards and vulnerabilities that communities face. Real Time Solutions supports this by providing advanced rain gauges, automatic weather stations, and hydrological stations that collect essential data. These technologies help identify patterns and trends, enabling local governments and communities to make informed decisions and create comprehensive risk maps. - Detection, Observation, Monitoring, Analysis, and Forecasting of Hazards
Developing comprehensive hazard monitoring and early warning services is vital for proactive disaster management. Real Time Solutions offers a suite of advanced products designed for real-time data collection and analysis. Our hydrological and meteorological sensors, integrated within automatic weather stations (AWS) and hydrological stations, effectively track critical environmental parameters. This data feeds into predictive models, ensuring accurate and timely forecasts that enable authorities to anticipate and respond to potential disasters.
One of our key tools is the Alert Nepal online portal, which visualizes real-time observations and forecasts. The portal includes essential data on rainfall, river flow, lightning, temperature, and more, allowing for comprehensive situational awareness. The integration of this system with decision support frameworks enhances local governments' ability to make informed, data-driven choices to mitigate hazards and ensure public safety. - Preparedness and Response Capabilities
Building effective national and community response capabilities relies on having up-to-date and thoroughly tested response plans. We support these efforts through technologies that provide immediate alerts and essential data. Our systems, such as Audio Emergency Warning and Notification Systems (AEWNS) and predictive services, empower local authorities to act promptly. By using our tools, including automated sirens installed in vulnerable areas, communities are better prepared and given sufficient time to react and take protective measures. - Warning Dissemination and Communication
The rapid and effective dissemination of warnings is crucial for public safety. It is necessary to ensure that risk information reaches those in danger swiftly through automated communication systems. Our Common Alert Protocol (CAP) enables standardized, clear, and actionable warning messages. Additionally, mass SMS alerts and sirens ensure that even remote communities receive timely notifications. The Alert Nepal portal enhances this by displaying real-time alerts, helping users stay informed through user-friendly interfaces that prioritize clarity and usability.
At Real Time Solutions, we are dedicated to providing the tools and technology needed to help local authorities and communities prepare for these events. Our products include advanced rain gauges, automatic weather stations, and hydrological stations, which monitor key environmental indicators to detect potential flood and landslide risks early. With sensors and sirens installed at vulnerable sites, immediate alerts can reach residents, allowing them valuable time to evacuate safely.
Recent Examples from Nepal
- In Dhading's Jhyaple khola, a landslide recently buried vehicles and claimed 35 lives.
- In Makwanpur, six football players tragically lost their lives when a landslide hit their training center.
- Four people living in makeshift shelters were swept away by the flood after prolonged delays in rescue efforts near Kantipur Colony, Nakhipot, Lalitpur.
- A flood at Bandre Adhaithar, Baglung Municipality-4, swept away a motorcycle and a scooter traveling from Kundule to Malika, resulting in a death toll of three.
- A landslide in Palase, Surya Binayak Municipality-9, caused by continuous rainfall, claimed the lives of three people, including a pregnant woman and her child.
Such incidents underline the necessity for comprehensive monitoring and early warning measures across vulnerable areas.
We believe that, with the right tools, local governments can lead effective disaster preparedness initiatives. Real Time Solutions is ready to collaborate with government bodies at every level to implement customized, robust monitoring systems across Nepal. By investing in these proactive measures, we can all work towards a safer, more resilient future.Nepal’s resilience in facing natural disasters is remarkable. However, the need for robust early warning systems has never been clearer. Real Time Solutions is committed to supporting Nepal’s local governments in building a safer, more prepared nation. Together, we can work toward minimizing the tragic impact of future floods and landslides.
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