Monsoon preparedness: 24-hour early warning and flood forecasting services afoot

Kathmandu: In view of the upcoming monsoon, the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology has unveiled a comprehensive emergency action plan to reduce loss of life and property from potential disasters.

The Department has stated that it would operate a 24-hour service by ensuring the effectiveness of weather forecasting, flood forecasting and the early warning system during the monsoon period.

Acting Director General of the Department, Archana Shrestha, informed that the weather forecasting division and flood forecasting division would remain active during 24 hours.

“Routine weather forecasting up to three days would be made public from 8.00 am to 6.00 pm every day, while special bulletin would be published with early warning before 3-5 days in special situations”, he said, adding that alert map with colour indication would be published to impart timely information about vulnerable weather condition, including heavy rainfall, thunderstorms and snowfall.

Shrestha further informed that the on-time data received from automated hydrological and meteorological evaluation centres across the country would be published through the official website of the Department.

Flood forecasting would be arranged three days before the main rivers, including Koshi, Gandaki, Karnali, Bagmati, Babai, and West Seti, for minimising flood-induced risks, it is stated.

RSS