River bank erosion
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Authors
Shradha Giri Bohora
Issue Date
30/01/2015 , 02/09/2009
Type
Language
en
Keywords
Disasters
Alternative Title
IA15000181NEP - Banke Bardia Flood Warning
Abstract
Early warning systems Scaling-up Early Warning Systems in Nepal (SEWIN) Nepal is prone to natural disasters, of which flood is the most damaging and recurring, mostly prevalent in Terai districts. Due to the effects of climate change, erratic rainfall has become more intensive, increasing the risk of vulnerable people living along the flood-prone areas. The question is, will there be a decrease in loss of lives and properties if people are aware of the flood approaching their houses in advance? Practical Action initiated its first pilot EWS programme for flood-affected communities in Chitwan District in 2001, which later expanded to Nawalparasi District in 2006. The projects combined traditional EWS practices along with new technologies and integrated the communities with a broader framework of community-based disaster mitigation programmes. Prior to 2001, EWS was based on the local "Watch and Warn" system. In 2007, with the learning from Chitwan and Nawalparasi, EWS was further developed based on linkages fromupstream flood gauging stations established by the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology to communities living at risk downstream. This provided more time for the communities of Banke and Bardia districts to respond to floods. With learning from DIPECHO I, III and IV projects on people-centred EWS and experiences from real-time evaluations, Practical Action Nepal is implementing a 15-month project, SEWIN, with its local partners: - Centre for Social Development and Research (CSDR) in Banke District (VDCs - Banakatti, Bethani, Binauna, Houya, Kamdi and Phattepur) - Radhakrishna Tharu Janasewa Kendra (RKJS) in Bardia District (VDCs - Bagnaha, Dhadhawar, Gularia Municipality, Mahamadpur and Padnaha) - SAHAMATI in Chitwan and Nawalparasi Districts (VDCs - Kolhuwa, Narayani, Narsahi, Pithauli, Prasauni, Bachhaul, Jagatpur, Meghauu and Piple) The project is funded by the European Commission through its Humanitarian Aid department under the fifth DIPECHO action plan for South Asia. Through this project Practical Action is promoting community-based disaster risk reduction programmes through development and establishment of EWS and strengthening capacities of communities to live with and adapt to flood. This includes a range of skills development training and establishment of community-managed assets and infrastructures. Objective To reduce disaster risk of the most vulnerable communities in flood-prone districts of Nepal. The specific objective is to strengthen the capacity of vulnerable flood-prone communities and district authorities in Nepal to understand, mitigate and respond to risk, and benefit through the use of flood EWS. Key activities 1. EWS extended and scaled up in Banke, Bardia, Chitwan and Naralparasi districts of Nepal: - Scaling up of EWS in the previous sites from visual flood monitoring systems to upstream information sharing system through telephone - Extension of EWS to new VDCs and communities for replication in additional geographic areas - Raising awareness on EWS for the stakeholders and the communities 2. Increased capacity of flood-prone communities to reduce their vulnerability and institutionalise Community-Based Disaster Management (CBDM) - Development of CBDM plans - Capacity building of communities and stakeholders - Small-scale mitigation activities and infrastructures support by utilising low-cost and replicable technologies to assist DRR at community level 3. National and international level stakeholders influenced to incorporate EWS in their plans and programmes - Facilitation and support for institutional strengthening and capacity building of government and other stakeholders - Sharing the lessons and influencing for EWS at national and international workshops, conferences and seminars - Produce and disseminate knowledge products on EWS for wider use View related videos on the Practical Action website. More photos can be found on Sharepoint.
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