Kathmandu, September 23
The government has stepped up preparations to deal with the risks of floods and landslides that could result from possible heavy rainfall, with plans to continuously monitor river conditions and potential disasters and provide the public with hourly updates.
The early warning system has been strengthened as most parts of the country are forecast to receive heavy rainfall from September 24 to 26 as part of preparations for disaster risk reduction and response.
According to Dharmaraj Upreti, executive chief of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, river water levels and risks will be monitored in real time through continuous coordination with the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology and the Flood Forecasting Division.
He said information would be updated every hour based on technical analysis of when rivers could reach dangerous levels and the possible impacts.
“We will update the early warning system and monitor the situation every hour. We are coordinating with the Flood Forecasting Division to determine when a river could reach a dangerous level and what impact it could have,” he said. “We monitor rainfall in real time. Citizens will receive SMS alerts on their mobile phones, so I urge them to take these alerts seriously.”
The authority is also directly monitoring the development of a major storm system forming over the sea and the possibility of changes in its direction.
A red alert has been issued for the high Himalayan areas in view of the possibility of heavy snowfall, as weather conditions could change rapidly.
Moderate to heavy rainfall has been forecast in the mid-hill and lower coastal areas.
In view of the risks, tourists in vulnerable Himalayan and hilly areas have been urged to immediately move to safer locations. Travel agencies have also been advised not to accept new bookings and to remain alert and make preparations for helicopter flights.
The authority said vehicular movement on highways and roads could be completely prohibited if the disaster risk increases. According to Executive Chief Upreti, preparations are underway to urge passengers not to travel unless absolutely necessary on Friday and Saturday and to ask transport operators not to operate services.
Dozers have been kept on standby along major highways to clear roads immediately in case of landslides.
As rainfall could cause significant damage to the agricultural sector, farmers have been urged to take special precautions to protect ripened paddy crops in the fields and stored grain. The Ministry of Agriculture has already issued a separate advisory on the matter.
The authority has also strongly warned the public against risking their lives by filming videos, making TikTok content or posting material on social media during floods.
Upreti urged people not to enter rivers to collect firewood or other materials carried downstream by floods, saying such activities could be dangerous.
Security agencies across the country have been placed on high alert, while preparations for real-time monitoring of weather conditions and disaster response have been intensified through command posts involving chief district officers (CDOs) from all 77 districts.
