Monsoon Preparedness: 24-hour early Warning and Flood Forecasting Services Afoot

In view of upcoming monsoon, the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology has unveiled a comprehensive emergency action plan to lessen theloss of lives and properties to be incurred from possible disaster.

The Department has stated that it would operate 24-hour service by ensuring effectiveness of weather forecasting, flood forecasting and 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 centers across the country would be published through the official website of the Department.

Flood forecasting would be arranged three days in prior in the main rivers including Koshi, Gandaki, Karnali, Bagmati, babai and West Seti for minimizing flood-induced risks, it is stated. (RSS)