Working and discussion papersAugust 2019Chinaporn Meechaiya, Emily Wilkinson, Emma Lovell, Sarah Brown, Mirianna BudimirKarnali Corridor, Terai Arc, Nepal. Photo: James MorganFlood early warning systems (EWS) are extremely complex, with multiple layers of communication and relationships between stakeholders, across different scales of governance. With the development of weather and flood forecasting models, Nepal’s EWS has advanced significantly in recent years, but warnings can still fail to reach downstream communities in the low-lying Tarai plains.Recent governance reforms devolve considerable authority for delivering EWS services to municipal governments. This should result in improved communication of warnings and enhanced flood response capabilities. However, critical challenges and questions remain around whether municipal governments will have the funds and technical capacity to do this.This working paper looks at the institutional mechanisms for assessing, monitoring, communicating and responding to flood risk information and warnings across three river basins in eastern and western Nepal, and identifies opportunities for enhancing these services under the new federal structure.Decentralising government responsibilities and resources could bring huge benefits, including higher-resolution risk maps, investment in local monitoring stations, a greater focus on response planning and engagement with communities and marginalised groups. To ensure that these benefits are realised, community-based and NGO initiatives will need to be better integrated within the national system, and local agencies will need substantial training and capacity development to meet their new responsibilities. Read the research The governance of Nepal’s flood early warning system: opportunities under federalismDocumentpdfRelated The potential of Nepal’s social security allowance schemes to support emergency flood responseAssessing the use of cash-based responses through Nepal’s existing social security allowance system to respond to emergencies.Research reports and studies13 May 2019 Building resilience for all: intersectional approaches for reducing vulnerability to natural hazards in Nepal and KenyaThis study aims to better understand different factors that influence people’s vulnerabilities and resilience to natural hazards and climate change.Research reports and studies1 May 2019 What impact are NGOs having on the wider development of climate services?The paper challenges the notion that climate information can be effectively delivered directly to communities without engaging with national providers.Research reports and studies26 September 2018 The changing role of NGOs in supporting climate servicesThis report examines the evolving role of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in the production, communication and uptake of climate information.Research reports and studies20 September 2016See more:disaster risk reductionresiliencedisaster responseNepal
