Nepal Disaster Report 2015
Nepal Disaster Report 2015
Nepal Disaster Report 2015
Nepal Disaster
Report 2015
Nepal Disaster
Report 2015
Any part of this publication may be cited, copied, translated in other languages or adopted
to meet local needs with prior permission from MoHA and DPNet-Nepal.
The opinion expressed by the individual authors in this report does not represent or
reflect the official position and policy of publishers. Authors have the sole responsibility
for their expression.
Contact:
Disaster Preparedness Network-Nepal (DPNet-Nepal)
Nepal Red Cross Building
Kalimati, Kathmandu, Nepal
Phone : +977-1-4672165, 016226613
Fax : +977-1-4672165
Email : dpnet@dpnet.org.np
Website : www.dpnet.org.np
Chief Editor:
Rameshwor Dangal, Joint Secretary, Disaster Management Division, MoHA
Executive Editor:
Deepak Paudel
Editorial Board:
Pradip Kumar Koirala
Bhubaneswori Parajuli
Surya Bahadur Thapa
Hari Darsan Shrestha
Rita Dhakal Jayasawal
Prakash Aryal
Ram Raj Narasimhan
Bishnu Prasad Kharel
It is well-known that developing countries like Nepal face increased disaster risks from a full
range of known and previously unknown hazards. Thus, disaster consequences are having
greater adverse effects on populations, built structures, the livelihood and environments.
However, preparedness and mitigation measures reduce vulnerability to disasters and minimize
the loss of lives and properties. Even with the best mitigation, preparedness and response
planning, there may be some level of damage in environment, properties and infrastructures.
Moreover, disruption of socio-economic condition and negative physical, psychological
and health consequences may also occur. To address the disaster management cycle, the
Government of Nepal has formulated and established various legislations and institutions.
Despite of such efforts, sometimes the fury of unkind nature or human negligence results into
disastrous events that overwhelm not only the local communitys response capacities but also
the response capacities of the whole country or countries. Gorkha Earthquake 2015 is the
prominent example of such condition. In view of the above situation, Nepal Government needs
to review and formulate proactive policies, legislations and institutions to take effective action to
prepare for and mitigate the effects of natural and human induced hazards.
This report is the joint effort of the officials of MoHA and disaster management professionals. We
recognize the secretarial support extended by Disaster Preparedness Network-Nepal (DPNet-
Nepal) in preparing this report. Our sincere thanks go to the Editorial Board members and MoHA
officials at Disaster Management Division for their time and efforts in the preparation of this
report. This report also encompasses articles from the leading DRR professionals. Information
available from other reliable government, inter-government and non-government sources has
also been incorporated to make it more informative.
Finally, we would like to thank all DRR stakeholders for their continuous support and cooperation
to bring out this Nepal Disaster Report 2015. Thank you.
Under the leadership of Ministry of Home Affairs and the coordination from DPNet-
Nepal, the Nepal Disaster Report (NDR) is being produced since 2009. In the series of
publication of 2011 and 2013, the report of 2015 is the update of the national disaster data
and information of the years 2013 and 2014.
I am highly grateful to Mr. Surya P Silwal, the then Home Secretary and Mr. Narayan Gopal
Malego, Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs for their advice and guidance in preparing
this report. I would also like to admire Joint Secretary Mr. Rameswor Dangal, Under
Secretaries Mr. Pradip Kumar Koirala and Mr. Baburam Bhandari and other officials of
MoHA for their continuous cooperation and great care in course of the preparation of this
report. Similarly, I would like to thank the UN agencies, national and international non-
government organizations for the help provided to produce this report. Likewise, I would
like to express my sincere appreciation to all DRR partners, experts, professionals and
particularly the author of the articles who have extended great help in the preparation of
this report. I duly acknowledge the contribution of all other organizations and individuals
who have directly and indirectly contributed to shape this report.
I am deeply obliged to the Advisory Board and Editorial Board for their valuable guidance
and constructive feedback at various stages of the preparation of this report. The support
of DPNet-Nepal Executive Committee members and DPNet-Nepal Secretariat is also
highly appreciated for their assistance provided in course of the preparation of this report.
Last but not the least, I acknowledge and highly appreciate the hard work of the Consultant
Dr. Meen B. Poudyal Chhetri on this report. He has shown high professionalism and
technical standards to come-up with this report.
This is our firm belief that NDR 2015 will be a very important and basic reference material
for the readers.
Since the time immemorial, Nepal is witnessing increasing numbers of casualties and
damages due to various types of natural and human induced disasters such as floods,
landslides, fires, epidemics, GLOFs, thunderbolts, earthquake and so on. This makes
Nepal as one of the most disaster prone countries in the world. Among them epidemics,
floods, landslides, fires are the recurrent phenomena and earthquake is the most
intensive disaster. All these disasters kill hundreds of people and cause heavy damage to
physical properties worth millions of rupees every year. Gorkha Earthquake 2015 alone
killed nearly nine thousand people and caused economic loss equivalent to seven billion
dollars.
Disasters affect not only the people; they also set back the overall economic development
of the country. Thus, the socio-economic costs of such disasters have long-term
repercussions on local communities and on the entire country. Traditionally, we look at
disasters mainly from a humanitarian perspective and give priority to immediate rescue
and relief works. Now, it is high time to take preparedness actions and build a culture
of resilience -- so that we may save more lives and properties. In the same way, we
should continue improving and strengthening our capacity in mitigation, preparedness,
response, recovery, rehabilitation and reconstruction in collaboration with local, national,
regional and international organizations to reduce our vulnerability to disasters.
This Report is an overview of disasters and their impacts in Nepal during the years 2013
and 2014. This report also provides insight into policy and institutional responses. The
need and importance of community resilience is also briefly discussed. In addition to
this, professional articles on various aspects of disaster management have also been
incorporated in this report. In some cases data and information were limited. The scope
of the report is focused to the works led or carried out directly by the Government entities.
So we realize that there are still avenues for improvement in data presentation and
interpretation. We welcome constructive comments and feedbacks from the readers
which would be useful for the forthcoming disaster reports.
We hope, this report may serve as a guide and reference for the government and non-
government sectors, students, researchers, practitioners and anyone interested in
disaster management.
Rameshwor Dangal
Editor in Chief
Joint Secretary, MoHA
12
x Nepal Disaster Report 2015
GIS Geographical Information System
GLOF Glacier Lake Outburst Flood
GO Government Organization
GoN Government of Nepal
HFA Hyogo Framework for Action 2005-2015
HFF Himalayan Frontal Fault System
HKH Hindu Kush Himalayan
IFRC International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
IPCC Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change
ISZ Indus Suture Zone
INGO International Non-Government Organization
LAPA Local Adaptation Plan of Action
LDO Local Development Officer
LDMC Local Disaster Management Committee
LDRC Local Disaster Relief Committee
LDRMP Local Disaster Risk Management Plan
LSGA Local Self-Governance Act
LSAR Light Search and Rescue
MBT Main Boundary Thrust Fault
MCT Main Central Thrust Fault System
MDG Millennium Development Goal
MIS Management Information System
MoAC Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives
MoE Ministry of the Environment
MoES Ministry of Education and Sports
MOFA Ministry of Foreign Affairs
MoFALD Ministry of Federal Affairs and Local Development
MoHA Ministry of Home Affairs
MOHP Ministry of Health & Population
MoTD Ministry of Town Development
MoWR Ministry of Water Resources
MoSTE Ministry of Science and Technology
MoE Ministry of Environment
14
xii Nepal Disaster Report 2015
UNISDR United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Risk Reduction
UNESCO United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
UNFCCC United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
UNISDR United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction
UNOCHA United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
USAID United States Agency for International Development
VDC Village Development Committee
WCDR World Conference on Disaster Reduction
WECS Water and Energy Commission Secretariat
WFP World Food Program
WHO World Health Organization
WMO World Meteorological Organization
Foreword................................................................................................. v
Acknowledgements.............................................................................. vii
Editorial.................................................................................................. ix
Abbreviations and Acronyms.......................................................... x-xiii
Executive Summary.................................................................... xxi-xxiii
g]kfn ljkb\ k|ltj]bgsf] ;f/;+If]k====================================================================xxv-xxvii
2.1 Introduction..................................................................................................... 24
2.1.1 Hyogo Framework of Action (2005-2015)............................................. 24
2.1.1.1 Priorities for action.................................................................... 24
2.1.2 Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (2015-2030).............. 25
2.1.2.1 Priorities of Sendai Framework................................................ 25
2.1.3 Draft Disaster Management Bill and Policy of Nepal............................ 26
2.1.4 National Strategy for Disaster Risk Management in Nepal (NSDRM).......26
2.1.5 National Building Code (NBC).............................................................. 27
2.1.6 National Disaster Response Framework (NDRF)................................. 27
2.1.7 National Adaptation Plan of Action (NAPA)........................................... 27
2.1.8 Local Adaptation Plan of Action (LAPA)................................................ 28
2.1.9 Local Disaster Risk Management Planning (LDRMP) Guideline, 2011......28
2.1.10 Disaster Preparedness and Response Plan (DPRP)........................... 28
2.1.11 Nepal Risk Reduction Con sortium (NRRC)......................................... 28
2.1.11.1 Key Achievements of the Flagship Program........................... 29
2.1.11.2 Major Challenges of the Five Flagship Programs................... 30
2.1.12 National Emergency Operation Centre (NEOC).................................. 30
2.1.13 Additional Initiatives............................................................................. 31
2.1.14 National Platform for DRR................................................................... 31
2.2 Gaps in Policy, Program and Practice.......................................................... 31
2.3 Way Forward................................................................................................... 32
2.4 Conclusions.................................................................................................... 33
2.5 Key Messages................................................................................................. 33
3.1 Introduction..................................................................................................... 36
3.1.1 Major Disasters in the Year 2013.......................................................... 36
3.1.2 Major Disasters in the Year 2014.......................................................... 36
3.2 Disaster Data Analysis of the Year 2013....................................................... 37
3.3 Disaster Data Analysis of the Year 2014....................................................... 47
xvi
18 Nepal Disaster Report 2015
3.4 Comparative Data of the year 2013 and 2014............................................... 56
3.5 Past Disaster Data Analysis from 2000 to 2014........................................... 60
20
xviii Nepal Disaster Report 2015
List of Maps
Map 1: Physiographic Regions of Nepal...............................................................3
Map 2: Disaster Vulnerability in Various Parts of the Country...............................6
Map 3: Human Deaths Due to Gorkha Earthquake.............................................14
Map 3: Human Injuries Due to Gorkha Earthquake............................................15
Map 5: Houses Damaged by the Gorkha Earthquake.........................................19
Map 6: District-wise Human Deaths by Disasters in 2013..................................38
Map 7: District-wise Missing People by Disasters in 2013..................................38
Map 8: District-wise Human Injuries by Disasters in 2013..................................39
Map 9: District-wise Human Deaths from Landslides in 2013.............................39
Map 10: District-wise Human Deaths from Floods in 2013.................................40
Map 11: District-wise Human Deaths from Fires in 2013....................................40
Map 12: District-wise Human Deaths from Thunderbolts in 2013.......................41
Map 13: District-wise Human Deaths from Epidemics in 2013...........................41
Map 14: District-wise Affected Families by Disasters in 2013.............................44
Map 15: Estimated Economic Losses due to Disasters in 2013.........................47
Map 16: District-wise Human Deaths by Disasters in 2014................................48
Map 17: District-wise Missing People by Disasters in 2014................................50
Map 18: District-wise Human Injuries by Disasters in 2014................................50
Map 19: District-wise Human Deaths from Landslides in 2014...........................51
Map 20: District-wise Human Deaths from Floods in 2014.................................51
Map 21: District-wise Human Deaths from Fires in 2014....................................52
Map 22: District-wise Human Deaths from Thunderbolts in 2014.......................52
Map 23: District-wise Human Deaths from Epidemics in 2014...........................53
Map 24: District-wise Affected Families by Disasters in 2014.............................55
Map 25: Estimated Economic Losses due to Disasters in 2014.........................56
Annexes
Annex I: Loss of Human Lives Due to Natural Disasters (1972-1999).......... 128
Annex II: Human Casualties Due to Natural Disasters (1972-1998).............. 129
Annex III: Human Deaths From Disasters Since 2000 to 2014....................... 130
Annex IV: Major Disasters in 2013 in Chronological Order............................. 131
Annex V: Major Disasters in 2014 in Chronological Order............................. 133
Annex VI: Glossary and Terminologies........................................................... 135
References......................................................................... 145
22
xx Nepal Disaster Report 2015
Executive Summary
1
Tarai is a flat and fertile land mass of Southern part of Nepal that extends from East to West. It covers 23 percent
of the total land of Nepal.
2
The Churia hill range is highly fragile land mass which is made up of sediments, sandstone, limestone and phyllites.
Thus, in the event of continuous and intense rainfall, the sediment becomes destabilized and results into floods,
landslides, gully erosion, debris flow, flash floods and so on.
24
xxii Nepal Disaster Report 2015
biodiversity of Nepal which results on 9. On 25 April 2015 a massive 7.6 ml
economic loss, land degradation and earthquake struck Nepal, having
environmental pollution. the epicentre near Barpak village of
Gorkha district which is northwest of
8. In the year 2013 and 2014 Nepal saw Kathmandu. It was the worst quake
an overall increase of the disasters to strike the country in more than 80
particularly floods and landslides in years. After 17 days on 12 May 2015,
various parts of the country. The floods another 6.8 ml strong aftershock
and landslides that occurred in 2013 caused further damage and sufferings.
in Far Western Region particularly in These earthquakes took the lives of
Darchula district and the floods and 8,896 and injured seriously 22,303
landslides in 2014 in Mid-Western people. The earthquake destroyed
Region particularly in Banke, Bardia, 6,04,930 houses completely and
Dang and Surkhet were the most 2,88,856 houses partially. It is
frightening and devastating disasters estimated that the total value of
that caused enormous losses to disaster effects (damages and losses)
human lives and physical properties. caused by the earthquakes is NPR 706
In the year 2013 a total number of 460 billion or its equivalent of US$ 7 billion.
people were killed by various disasters (PDNA, NPC 2015). In this way, this
and in the year 2014 a total number devastating earthquake has affected
of 487 people were killed by different vast parts of Nepal and left deep scars
disasters in the whole country. The in the economy and infrastructure of
number of human casualty is more the country.
in 2014 (487 persons) than in 2013
(460 persons). The number of missing 10. The disaster data analysis of the
people is far more in 2014 (357 disaster events of the years 2013,
persons) than in 2013 (165 persons). 2014 and 2015 Gorkha Earthquake
On the contrary, the number of clearly show the need of huge efforts
injured persons is more in 2013 (517 and investments in preparedness. It
persons) than in 2014 (473 persons). is extremely necessary to realize the
The number of affected families in the need of preparedness plan, program
year 2014 is 39,812 while in 2013 only and projects to reduce the loss to lives
2,697 families were affected. Likewise, and properties in the days to come.
large number of animals were killed in
the year 2014 (5,282 animals) than in 11. Finally, in view of the current disaster
2013 (1,535 animals). In the same way, trends in Nepal, the incorporation of
the economic loss also was more in the disaster risk reduction and resilience
year 2014 (16,753.7 million rupees) strategy into public and private sector
than in the year 2013 (2,057.0 million development works is highly desirable.
rupees). It is mainly due to the massive Furthermore, reducing disaster risk
impact of floods and landslides in large with preparedness plan, program and
area of Mid-Western Region of Nepal projects and building resilience with
by floods and landslides. However, the the goal of sustainable development
total number of disaster events were must be the major thrust to face the
more in the year 2013 (58 disasters) challenges of hazards.
than in the year 2014 (42 disasters).
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28
xxvi Nepal Disaster Report 2015
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and yak1 raising as their main occupation. 1.2 Core Problems Associated
(Source: Chhetri & Bhattarai 2001). with Disasters
Nepal is divided into three major river According to UNISDR -- between 2005-
systems from east to west: the Koshi River, 2015 over 700 thousand people lost
the Gandaki River and the Karnali River. their lives, over 1.4 million were injured
These river systems originate from across and approximately 23 million were made
the Himalayan range. All those rivers are homeless as a result of disasters. Overall,
the major tributaries of the Ganges River more than 1.5 billion people were affected
in northern India. After plunging through by disasters in various ways. Women,
deep gorges, these rivers deposit heavy children and people in vulnerable situations
sediments and debris on the plains of Nepal were disproportionately affected. The
and India, nurturing them and renewing total economic loss was more than $1.3
their alluvial soil fertility. Once they reach trillion. In addition, between 2008 and
the Terai Region, they often overflow their 2012, 144 million people were displaced
banks onto wide floodplains during the by disasters. Disasters, many of which
monsoon, shifting course. The main river are exacerbated by climate change and
systems originate in the Higher Himalaya, increasing in frequency and intensity,
with some having their origin in Tibet. significantly impede progress towards
sustainable development. Evidence
indicates that exposure of persons and
assets in all countries has increased faster
1
A mountain cow covered with long and thick hairs. than vulnerability has decreased, thus
In the context of Nepal -- about 83 per cent As Benjamin Franklin said, An ounce
of the over 26.5 million people reside in rural of prevention is worth a pound of cure,
areas practicing traditional, self-sustaining why not commit to putting more effort into
hills and mountain farming systems building capacity before a disaster strikes
which have been disrupted by increased and on an ongoing basis, versus putting
population and fertile top soil erosion. In such an enormous amount of effort and
addition - deforestation, migration from expense at response/recovery efforts
the hills and mountains to the fertile Tarai (Drager and Robertson, 2014).
region and haphazardly developed urban
and sub-urban centres are increasing at an The shock of the 2015 Gorkha Earthquake
unprecedented scale. Consequently, the and the catastrophic floods and landslide in
The map 2 above shows the floods in Tarai, landslides in the hills and mountains and
earthquake in the mid hills and Tarai.
The types of natural and human induced disasters that occur in Nepal and the locations
are given in the above Table 1.
Fifty years ago, Schneiders above photo of the Khumbu Valley in Nepal, taken on an expedition that lasted from
1956 to 1961, shows Taboche peak (over 6,500 m) in the centre, with the path to Everest base camp running up the
valley to the right. Some years before, mountain geographer Alton Byers, of the conservation group the Mountain
Institute in Washington DC, photographed the same view. His images have captured the effect of climate change
on the region, showing how glaciers that were nestled below the summit and below the ridge lines have shrunk.
Depletion of glaciers
Map 3
Please see the following Map 3 which shows equivalent of US$ 7 billion. Of that amount,
the number of people dead by earthquake NPR 517 billion (or 76 percent of the total
in various districts. A total number of 8,896 effects) represents the value of destroyed
people were killed from the earthquake. physical assets, and NPR 189 billion (24
percent of the total effects) reflects the
This earthquake occurred in a geological losses and higher costs of production
collision zone, where the Indian tectonic of goods and services arising from the
plate pushes north into the Eurasian plate, disaster. These estimates are based on
moving the ground an average of 2 cm a the aggregation of information and data
year. Over decades, stress built up along collected across sectors of social and
a stretch of the faultline, which is called the economic activity and checked to avoid
Main Himalayan Thrust (MHT) fault, close duplication of numbers. (Source: PDNA
to Nepals capital Kathmandu. In this area, Report 2015, NPC). The map 4 below
the boundary between the two plates had shows the number of injured people in
become locked-stuck together by friction various districts due to the earthquake on 12
and so immobile-building up energy that and 25 April 2015. A total number of 22,302
only a major earthquake could release. people were injured in the earthquake.
It is estimated that the total value of disaster On 26 April 2015, the Government of Nepal
effects (damages and losses) caused by declared the 14 districts as catastrophic
the earthquake is NPR 706 billion or its area and appealed for international
humanitarian assistance including search struck with the epicentre in Sunkhani of Dolkha
and rescue. district. The epicentre was 76 km northeast of
Kathmandu. This area was already affected
On 12 May 2015 at 12:50 local time another by the 25 April quake. The initial quake was
strong aftershock measuring 6.8 magnitudes followed by several aftershocks including
Photo: Security Forces Clearing the Debris form Damaged Patan Durbar Square
Map 5
1
http://un.org.np/coordinationmechanism/nrrc. NRRC started in 2009. Nine characteristics have been defined to
describe the essential components for resilient communities along with indicators for monitoring progress
160 146
140 132
120
100 87
80
59
60
36
40
20
0
Fire Flood Thunderbolt Landslide others
Source: Ministry of Home Affairs
The summary sheet of disaster data from 3.2 Disaster Data Analysis of the
1982 to 2014 has also been presented in year 2013
the annexes for an overview of disaster
losses since then. In annex 1, the loss of As depicted in map 6 and figure 1, the
human lives due to natural disasters from major disasters that occurred in the
1972 to 1999 has been given in tabular year 2013 were floods, landslides, fires,
form. In annex 2, human casualties due to thunderbolts, etc. In this year thunderbolt
natural disasters from 1972 to 1999 has claimed highest number of human deaths.
been given in graphical form. In the same A total of 146 people lost their lives due to
way, human deaths from natural disasters thunderbolt in 2013 followed by the floods
since 2000 to 2014 has been presented in that claimed 132 lives. Landslide killed
tabular form in annex 3. In annex 4, major 87 people, fire killed 59 and various other
disasters that occurred in 2013 is shown disasters killed 36 people. Other disasters
in chronological order. Similarly, In annex e.g. cold wave, epidemics, heat wave, air
5, major disasters that occurred in 2014 is crash, boat capsize, windstorm, heavy
shown in chronological order. rainfall, drowning, avalanches etc. killed 36
people. In this way, a total of 460 people
Analysis of the loss and damage data by were killed by various types of natural
disasters since 1982 clearly shows that disasters in the year 2013.
Map 7
The above map 6 clearly shows the number were the uppermost suffering districts
of human deaths in multi-color due to bearing the loss of more than 10 people in
disasters in specific districts of Nepal in the each district.
year 2013. Out of 75 districts, 72 districts
suffered the losses of human lives. Only As shown in the above map 7, in the year
three districts namely; Panchthar, Rasuwa 2013 a total number of 165 people were
and Dadeldhura were immune to human life recorded as missing due to disasters
losses by disasters. Jhapa, Saptari, Bara, in various districts. The highest number
Sindhuli, Kavrepalanchok, Ramechhap, of missing people was in Udayapur and
Sindhupalchok, Makwanpur, Kathmandu, Kalikot districts having 16 missing people
Nawalparasi, Rupandehi, Palpa, Dang, in each district. These missing people
Dolpa, Jumla, Dailekh and Kailali districts can be considered as dead.
Map 9
The range of human injuries due to disasters Human death toll due to landslides in the year
in various districts has been shown in map 2013 is shown in map 9 above. In Taplejung
8 above. The highest number of injury 7, Dhankuta 2, Sankhuwasabha 1, Sunsari 1,
occurred in Morang, Khotang, Solokhumbu, Udayapur 1, Ramechhap 8, Sindhupalchok
Dolakha, Sindhupalchok, Kathmandu, 3, Kathmandu 1, Makwanpur 1, Nawalparasi
Makwanpur, Gorkha, Kaski, Baglung, 2, Syangja 3, Parbat 3, Myagdi 3, Mustang
Myagdi, Mustang, Rukum, Surkhet and 1, Palpa 7, Pyuthan 3, Salyan 1, Jajarkot 4,
Bajura where more than 10 and up to Dolpa 2, Dailekh 8, Kalikot 2, Jumla 8, Kailali
34 people sustained injuries. The exact 1, Achham 2, Mugu 1, Doti 2, Bajhang 1,
number of injured persons can be seen in Baitadi 5 and in Darchula 3 people lost their
each district in the above map. In total 517 lives in various types of natural disasters.
people sustained injury due to natural The total number of deaths by landslide
disasters in 2013 in the whole country. has been 87 in the year 2013.
Map 11
As shown in the above map 10, in the Kanchanpur 1, Bajhang 3 and in Darchula
year 2013 in Jahpa 5, Morang 5, Sunsari 1 people died due to floods. The total
5, Dhankuta 1, Saptari 8, Udayapur 2, death by floods in the year 2013 has
Dhanusa 1, Sindhuli 12, Dolakha 1, been 132 persons.
Mahottari 3, Rautahat 3, Bara 1, Parsa
1, Makwanpur 3,Sindhupalchok 4, Human life losses due to fires in the year
Kavrepalanchok 1, Kathmandu 6, Chitwan 2013 are depicted in map 11 above. The
1, Dhading 1, Nawalparasi 8, Lanjung 1, highest number of people were killed in
Rupandehi 5, Palpa 2, Kaski 2, Gulmi 2, Kathmandu being 6 followed by Rupandehi
Pyuthan 1, Dang 6, Rolpa 1, Rukum 1, where 4 people lost their lives due to fires.
Banke 3, Salyan 2, Bardiaya 6, Jajarkot In total 59 people died by the fire disaster
2, Dailekh 2, Kalikot 6, Jumla 5, Kailali 3, in the year 2013.
Map 13
In the year 2013, thunderbolts killed According to the available data for the
the highest number of people. Maximum epidemics, in the year 2013 only 4 people
number of people were killed in Makwanpur died of epidemics in Dolpa (please refer to
district 10, followed by Okhaldhunga 8 and the map 13 above). Data are not available
Kavrepalanchok 7. Please see map 12 for other remaining 74 districts. It denotes
for details. Altogether 146 people were either there is the lapse in data or better
killed by thunderbolts in the year 2013. health services have reduced the deaths
by epidemics.
Figure 2 and table 3 show the trend of human deaths by months in the year 2013 where we
can find that most people were killed by flood and landslide between the months of June
to September. Thunderbolt killed people from the month of January to October. Maximum
people were killed by thunderbolt in the months of February, March, April, June, July, August
and September. Fire caused human casualties mostly in the months of January, April, May,
August, November and December. Due to drowning 5 people were killed in September and
2 were killed in October. A total of 4 people died of epidemic in September 2013.
100
80
60
40
20
Figure 3 and table 4 show the total deaths, missing and injuries in the year 2013 by
various disasters. As we can see in the graph and the table above, most people were
missing and killed between June and September. We can find more injuries between
March and May.
In map 14, we can see the number of affected families in each district in 2013 by
disasters. The highest number of affected families in 2013 due to disasters was found
in Jhapa, Morang, Saptari, Rautahat, Parsa, Bardia, Dailekh, Kanchanpur and Darchula
where more than 100 families were affected by disasters. The highest number of affected
families was found in Darchula followed by Saptari district. A total of 2,697 families were
affected by different disasters in the year 2013.
Figure 4
4 2
9
10 40
36
Figure 4 shows the percentage of animal killed due to various disasters in 2013. As shown
in the figure, 40% animals were killed by fire followed by thunderbolt (36%), landslide (10%),
flood (9%), heavy rainfall (4%) and avalanche (2%).
66
131
148 613
547
Figure 5 and table 5 show the Table 5: Animal Loss by Disasters in 2013 (in Num-
total number of animals killed ber and Percentage)
by various disasters. Fire Disasters Deaths (No.) Deaths (%)
killed 613, thunderbolt killed Fire 613 40
547, landslide killed 148, flood Thunderbolt 547 36
killed 131, heavy rainfall killed Landslide 148 10
66 and avalanche killed 30 Flood 131 9
animals in the year 2013. Heavy Rainfall 66 4
Avalanche 30 2
As shown in figure 6 and table Total 100 1535
6, in 2013, fire destroyed Source: Ministry of Home Affairs
2689 houses and cattle sheds,
flood destroyed 378, landslide Figure 6
destroyed 209, thunderbolt Housesand Cattle Shed Damaged and Destroyed in 2013
destroyed 68, earthquake 3000 2689
2500
destroyed 43 and windstorm
2000
destroyed 4 houses and cattle
1500
sheds. 1000
378
500
Table 6: Houses and Cattle 66
209
68 43 4
Sheds Damaged and De- 0
stroyed in 2013
Disaster Number
Fire 2689
Heavy Rainfall 66
Landslide 209
Thunderbolt 68
Earthquake 43
Windstorm 4
Flood 378
Source: Ministry of Home Affairs
2000 1855
1800
1600
1400
1200
1000
800
600
400
169
200 3.2 20 8 2
0
Fire Thunderbolt Flood Landslide Heavy Wind Storm
Rainfall
Figure 7 shows the total economic losses caused due to floods, landslides, fires,
thunderbolt, wind storm and heavy rainfall. All these disasters caused the total
estimated loss of 2,057 million rupees in the year 2013. The fire disaster caused the
highest economic loss in this year.
85%
Map 15 shows the most affected districts in alone killed 128 people in 2014 and most
terms of economic losses in the year 2013. of them were killed in Mid-Western Region
Makawanpur, Kathmandu and Rupandehi of Nepal. This year thunderbolt stood at
suffered the most. Each of those districts third position which killed 96 people while
suffered economic losses above 100 it was number one killer in the year 2013.
million rupees. Landslide killed 113 people, fire claimed the
death of 62 people, snow storm (Hudhud)
killed 28 peope and all other remaining
3.3 Disaster Data Analysis of the disasters such as: heat weave, cold weave,
Year 2014 animal attack etc. killed 60 people. A total
of 487 people lost their lives due to the
In the year 2014 floods, landslides, above mentioned disasters in the year
thunderbolt, fires and snowstorm killed 2014. This year, more people were killed
many people. As portrayed in figure 9, floods than in the previous year.
Figure 9
Human Deaths byDisasters in 2014
140 128
120 113
96
100
80
62 60
60
40 28
20
0
Fire Snow Storm Flood Thunderbolt Landslide others
100
Figure 10 and table 7 show the distribution
50
of total deaths, missing and injuries in the
0
whole year of 2014 due to different kinds
of disasters. As we can see in the graph
Deaths Missing injuries
and the table, most people were killed and
Source: Ministry of Home Affairs
injured during JulySeptember, which is
also the rainy season, when landslides
and floods occur. So, the number of human
casualties increases during these months.
40
30
20
10
0
Figure 11 and table 8 show the number of deaths from various types of disasters and
months in the year 2014. From the data analysis of 2014 the highest number of human
casualties was by thunderbolts from April through November. While by flood and landslides
most casualties and injuries have been caused in July, August and September. Fire has
killed people almost every month except in the months of July and December. Three
people died in October due to drowning. Epidemics killed 3 and 9 people in April and May.
Map 18
We can see in map 17 and table 7 that in 2014 the highest number of missing people
was in Sindhupalchok (123) and Surkhet (96), basically due to floods and landslides. No
people were missing in most of the districts. The total number of missing people has been
357 in the year 2014.
Map 18 and table 7 show that in 2014 range of human injuries due to disasters in various
districts according to which highest number of injuries were caused in Sindhupalchok
(58 injuries) and Makwanpur (26 injuries) districts. Siraha, wish Rupandehi, Kapilbastu,
Syangja, Rolpa, Mustang, Dolpa, Jumla and Doti recorded no injuries. Total number of
injuries in the year 2014 has been 473.
In the year 2013, maximum numbers of people (42) were killed in Sindhupalchok due to
landslides in Jure. Some other districts had single digit loss of human lives. Majority of
the districts had no human life loss due to disasters. Please see the map 19 and table
for details. 113 people died due to landslides in the whole country in the year 2014.
Map 20
As shown in map 21 and table 8 , in 2014 fire claimed human lives of 1 in Ilam, Panchthar,
Taplejung, Morang, Sunsari, Saptari, Solukhumbu, Makwanpur, Sindhupalchok Lalitpur,
Syangja, Kaski, Manang, Myagdi, Dang, Pyuthan, Banke, Jajarkot, Kalikot, Achham and
Kanchanpur; 2 in Jhapa, Khotang, Okhaldhunga, Dhanusa, Rautahat, Parsa, Kapilbastu,
Nawalparasi, Bardia, Mugu, and Kailali; 3 in Sindhuli, Palpa and Humla; 4 in Surkhet
and 7 in Kathmandu. The other remaining districts had no casualties from fires. The total
number death by fire has been 62 in the year 2014.
Map 22
As depicted in the map 23, in Morang district 12 people were reported dead due to
epidemics in 2014. All other remaining 74 districts had no loss of human lives due to
epidemics.
35000 33073
Houses and shed damaged
30000
25000
20000
15000
10000
5000 2836
24 23 208 22
0
Table 10: Houses and Cattle Sheds Damaged and Destroyed in 2014
Fire 2836
Thunderbolt 24
Flood 33073
Wind Storm 23
Landslide 208
Heavy Rainfall 22
Source: Ministry of Home Affairs
Figure 8 and table 10 show the total number of damaged houses and cattle sheds
by floods, landslides, fires, thunderbolt, wind storm and heavy rainfall in 2014. Flood
has damaged the most. Flood alone destroyed 33,073, fire destroyed 2,836, landslide
destroyed 208, thunderbolt destroyed 24, wind storm destroyed 23 and the heavy rainfall
destroyed 22 houses and cattle sheds in the year 2014. The total number destroyed
houses and cattle sheds has been 36,186 in the year 2014.
As we can see in map 24, 17,376 families were affected by various types of disasters
in Bardia in 2014 which was followed by Banke (10,763 families), Dang(4,028 families),
Surkhet (3,871 families) and Mugu (2,608 families). In most of the districts no families
were affected. The total number of affected families from different kinds of disasters
in the year 2014 has been found to be 39,812.
Figure 14
140
14918
203
3
15
1610
0.7
34
22
14
Firre Wind Storrm Flo
ood Thunderbolt
Lan
ndslide Heavy Raiinfall Hail Storm
Source: Ministry of Home Affairs
According to the data shown in figure 14, the estimated economic loss is about 16,753.7
millions in Nepalese Rupees in the year 2014. Out of this total amount significant loss
is due to flood (14,918.0 millions) followed by fire (1,610.7 millions).
The district-wise economic losses are shown in map 25 and figure 14. Sindhupalchowk,
Surkhet and Bardia districts suffered most due to floods and landslide disasters resulting
into enormous ecomomic losses in 2014. Lamjung, Manang, Mustang, Rukum, Dolpa,
Jajarkot, Dadeldhura, Baitadi and Darchula faced no economic losses in the year 2014.
Figure 15
160 146
140 132128
120 113
96
100 87
80
59 62 60
60
36
40 28
20
0
0
Fire Flood Thunderbolt Landslide Snow Storm others
2013 2014
2013 2014
Source: Ministry of Home Affairs
Figure 17 shows the comparative death toll by other disasters in the year 2013 and 2014. The
highest number of human casualty (15 people) was caused by air crash in 2014.
Figure 18
400 357
300
200 165
100
0
Death Missing Injuryy
2013 2014
Comparison of human deaths from all disasters in 2013 and 2014 shows that human
deaths have increased in 2014, but the number of injury has slightly increased in the year
2013 than in 2014. Please see figure 18 for details.
120 119
100
89
99 February 19 32
80 77 March 89 29
60 62
52 55 50 49 45 April 99 52
40 37 36 39
34
20 25
32
19
29 May 62 55
18
12
0
7 3
2 0 June 50 77
July 34 36
August 49 119
2014 2013 September 45 39
October 18 7
November 3 2
Figure 20 and table 15 show the comparative number of December 12 0
injured people caused by different disasters in different Total 517 473
months in the years of 2013 and 2014. In 2013, the Source: Ministry of Home Affairs
period of February to October has the higher number of
injured people while in 2014 the month of March to September has the highest number of
injuries. A total of 517 people were injured in the year 2013 which is more than in the
year 2014. In 2014 a total of 473 people were injured in various disasters.
30000
February 77 0
25000
March 305 23
20000
April 1130 37
15000
May 63 133
10000
June 482 38
5000
0 48 77 305 1137 66
133 482 293
252 292
2608 July 290 252
0 0 23 37 38 10
0 0 1
0 0
August 292 36720
September 10 0
2014 2013 October 0 2608
November 0 1
December 0 0
Total 2,697 39,812
Figure 21 and table 16 is the comparative number of Source: Ministry of Home Affairs
affected families in the year 2013 and 2014. There
were a small number of affected families (2,697) in the year of 2013 while in the year
2014 the number of affected families reached to 39,812 which was basically because
of the devastating floods and landslides in the month of August in Mid-Western Region.
2013
2014
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
Figure 23
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
Flood &landslide Linear (Flood &landslide)
Source: Ministry of Home Affairs
Figure 23 denotes the trend of human casualties due floods and landslides from the
year 2000 to 2014. Floods and landslides have caused more casualties than any other
disasters in this period.
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
Fire Linear (Fire)
Source: Ministry of Home Affairs
Figure 25 shows the trend of human casualties due to fires from the year 2000 to 2014.
The years 2000, 2005, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013 encountered more human life
losses due to fires than in other years. It is to be noted here that no year is immune to
casualties from fires.
Figure 26
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
Figure 26 shows the trend of human casualties due to hailstones from the year 2000 to
2014. In the years 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2011 hailstone caused more human life losses
than in other years.
20
15
10
0
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
Wind-storm Linear (Wind-storm)
Figure 27 shows the trend of human casualties due to windstorm from the year 2000 to
2014. The above graph indicates that in the years 2002, 2003, 2008, 2010, 2011 and 2012
caused more human life losses than in other years.
Figure 28
40
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
Figure 28 shows the trend of human casualties due to avalanche and snowstorm since
the year 2000 to 2014. The years 2005, 2007, 2012, 2013 and 2014 had more deaths due
to avalanche and snowstorms. The reason of more deaths in 2014 was because of the
Hudhud cyclone in Annapurna area where 28 people died due to Hudhud cyclone.
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
Linear (Epidemics)
Source: Ministry of Home Affairs
Figure 29 shows the trend of human casualties due to epidemics since the year 2000 to
2014. Epidemics took more human lives in the years 2000, 2001, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2010
and 2011. Before the year 2000, epidemics used to kill more people than from any other
disasters. But after the year 2000 less people have lost their lives from epidemics which
may be due to unreported cases or improved health services.
Figure 30
2011
2012
2013
2014
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
Figure 30 shows the death of 1 person in the year 2001 and the death of 6 persons in the
NepalSikkim earthquake of 2012.
Panicked People Gathered at New Road, Kathmandu After the Gorkha Earthquake
1
Kuleswor, Kathmandu, Nepal
2
The annual Hajj Islamic pilgrimage in Mecca, Saudi Arabia is one of the worlds largest gatherings.
3
Definition for Mass Gatherings, Emergency Management (EMA), Australia
4
Molloy M, Sherif A, Natin S, et al, Management of Mass Gatherings. In Koenig KL, Schultz C, eds. 2009, Koenig and
Schultzs Disaster Medicine: Comprehensive Principles and Practices. First edition, Cambridge University Press.
5
These 6 key areas are applicable everywhere not only for the Hajj.
6
Kumbh Melais considered to be the largest peaceful gathering ofHindupilgrimsthat takes place every third year
at one of the four places by rotation namely;Haridwar,Allahabad,NashikandUjjain of India where people gather
to bathe in a sacred Ganga river since 2,500 years.
7
Maha Shiva Ratri is a gathering of huge mass in the month of February each year in the temple of Pashupatinath
located in Kathmandu, Nepal to pay homage to Lord Pashupatinath (also called Mahadev or Shiva) on the
occasion of Lord Shivas birthday.
8
Mass gatherings in special occasions.
Eliott D, Smith D. Football stadia disasters Sanders AB, Criss E, Steckl P., An
in the united kingdom, learning from analysis of medical care at mass
tragedy? Organisation Environment gatherings. Ann Emergency
1993;7:205-229 Medicine, 1986;15:515-519
1
Pradip Koirala is working as Under Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs, Disaster Management Division is a
DM expert
2
Rita Dhakal Jayasawal, Head of Humanitarian Response in DanChurchAid (DCA) was a Project Manager of Koshi
Flood response project with CARE Nepal on 2008-2009
3
Nepal Earthquake 2015, Post Disaster, Needs Assessment Report
The Koshi River presents a challenge in terms of long and recurring flood hazard.
A major flood in 1953-54 led to the Koshi project which was aimed at flood control
and irrigation. The project led to the creation of a barrage and embankments on
each side were designed to protect approximately 2800 km2 of land in north
Bihar and Nepal. Despite this intervention and a long history of flood control
management in the basin for more than 5 decades, the river continues to cause
extensive flooding due to breaches.
4
BIHAR KOSI FLOOD (2008) NEEDS ASSESSMENT REPORT, June 2010
n Rescue and Relief Standards, 2007 (1st revision in 2008 and 2nd in 2012June)
n Prime Minister Disaster Response Fund Guideline 2006, (1st revision in2008)
n PM Natural Disaster Response Fund 2006 (1st revision in 2008) activated
intensively
n Disaster Related Funds at Line Ministries, started from2008
n Cluster System rolled out in 2008 after Koshi floods and 26-government
ministries established disaster desks from 2010.
n National Strategy for DRM NSDRM), 2009
n The Cabinet at Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers (OPMCM)
takes active role in disaster management from 2008
n National Risk Reduction Consortium (NRRC) 2009-2014, chaired by Home
Secretary started from 2009
n Five-Flagship Program initiated from 2009 (2009-2014) and extended
n Rescue and Treatment Sub-committee chaired by Health and Population
Minister play active role from 2008
n Supply, Shelter and Rehabilitation Subcommittee, chaired by Urban Minister
play active role from 2008
n National Platform on Disaster Risk Reduction, 2008
n National Emergency Operation Center at National Levels and Regional/
District Emergency Centres(EOCs) from 2010
n SAHANA Program for data collection, processing and for dissemination from
2011
n Publication of Nepal Disaster Report started from 2009
1
Lt. Col. at Nepal Army
2
Under Secretary at MoHA
3
The wordHudhudcomes from Arabic and refers to the hoopoe bird the national bird of Israel. But the current
cyclone is named by Oman. An international panel on tropical cyclones led by the World Meteorological
Organization (WMO) decides to name their cyclones as a committee in the spirit of co-operation and consensus.
Eight countries - India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Maldives, Myanmar, Oman, Sri Lanka and Thailand - took part in
the meeting to name upcoming cyclones in the regions. They came up with a list of 64 names - eight names from
each country. The list goes alphabetically, according to each country.
4
Cyclone Hudhud triggers rains in Nepal. REPUBLICA, Oct 14:
5
Wikipedia: The free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. 22 July 2004. Web 12 Oct.2014
6
Nepalnews.com Published on13 Oct 2014
Rescue Effort
It was decided to activate District Emergency
Operation Center and established comand
post hededed by CDO in Jomsom and
sends the troops to establish the temporary
operating base (TOB) at Muktinath area
(Digrame 1). On the way to Muktinath,
the rescue team met with few foreign
trekkers (Germans) who had managed
to escape from the scene and received Nepalese Army rescuers removing the bodies and
evacuating stranded hikers and trekkers
The integrated rescue Team supported by Nepal Army light helicopters and Army Medics
5416 m.
THIRD
COMMUNICATION
POINT 300m above the
second communication 5271 m. FORTH
Point
COMMUNICATION
POINT Thorang-La
SECOND
COMMUNICATION
POINT 250 above the
Dump Camp
4977 m.
FIRST COMMUNICATION
POINT 4685 m.
DUMP CAMP
4160 m.
INITIAL
COMMUNICATION
POINT
TOB,MUKTINATH
District Emergency Operation
Battalion Commander
Center Jomsom, Mustang
Battalion Commander
ADMINISTRATIVE
CONTROL BASE FIELD RESCUE OPERATION
CONTROL BASE
(CDO)
(Integrated Security Forces Base)
Before the Seti River Flood Disaster After the Seti River Flood Disaster on 5 May 2012
1
Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD)
2
Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD)
3
Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD)
4
Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD)
5
Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD)
6
Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan
7
Air crash, avalanche, boat capsize, bridge collapse, cold wave, drought, earthquake, epidemic, fire, flood, flood &
landslide, landslide, forest fire, hailstorm, rainfall, thunder bold, wind storm, and others.
3. Cause of the Seti Flash flood The role of the rockslide has now been
ascertained after image analysis, air borne
There were many speculation about cause survey and field investigation by a team
of the flood in immediate days after the comprising of international and national
event, including GLOF and Landslide Lake experts. The rockslide affected a knick
Outburst Flood (LDOF). As satellite data of point in the Seti River gorge and impounded
post event became available and airborne glacial meltwater and spring snowmelt
survey possible, the cause of the flood was which got breached by a process triggered
ascertained to be sequence of events as by an avalanche in southwest flank of the
organized below in the order of occurrence. Annapurna IV (Figure 4).
3.1 Rockfall and daming of Seti 3.2 Snow, ice and rock avalanche
river Snow, ice and rock avalanche [2],[7],[8]
From the very beginning the issue of with estimated volume of 32,725,000m
contention was source of the flood water [6] occurred in southwest flank of the
which is estimated to be 7,480,000m3 [6] Annapurna IV (Figure 4) at about 09:00
with estimated peak discharge varying AM local time on 5 May 2012, as inferred
from 10 m3/s [7] and 8,400m3/s [6], at from the amateur video clip captured
Kharapani. This actually made locals by Captain Alexander Maximov of the
speculate the event to be either GLOF Aviaclub Nepal (https://www.youtube.
or LDOF. Rapid assessment by a team com/watch?v=Uk82ggshSKs). The impact
in International Centre for Integrated of the avalanche is said to have created
Mountain Development (ICIMOD) based seismic waves which was picked up by
on satellite data (Landsat) mapped a global seismic network which was analyzed
fresh land/rock slide scar (Figure 3) and by S.G.Eksrom, a Columbia University
indicated likelihood of a role in the flood geoscientists, according to which time of
generation process to explain large volume avalanche is estimated as 09:09:56 AM
of flood water, which was refuted by [2]. [9]. So the avalanche is expected to have
The Landsat ETM+ images of 2012 (3rd occurred between 9:00 AM and 9.09 AM.
Photo 2. Display board at District Administrative Office, Pokhara displaying river water level.
8
Ward No. 1 to 18.
9
Hemja, Lamachaur, Puranchaur, Machhapuchhre, Sardikhola, Lahachowk and Ghachowk.
In addition usual flood control measures Human memories are short and more than
like gabion walls are put in place regularly often our readiness to respond appropriately
on need basis to deflect river water from enhanced through capacity building
over topping banks and minimizing flow interventions like training, workshops and
velocity. drills decline over time. Emergency drills,
workshops and training needs to be made
a regular exercise so that the knowledge
5.2 Gaps and needs and experience gained is sustained.
There seems to be complete lack of Ideally such drills will be effective if done
preparedness prior to the Seti Flash during pre-monsoon with involvement of
Flood event, also echoed by experts in communities and disaster managers.
different forums [13]. Things has certainly
improved after the event with community Rampant extraction of sand and boulders
based activities implemented under BDRC from Seti River has long raised concerns
enhancing community resilience by EWS of various quarters [14]. The unplanned
and more structured response mechanism extraction has proved as counter measure
10
Ward No. 1, 3, 9,10, 15 and 17
A.J. Parsons, R.D. Law, M.P. Searle, R.J. OCHA, Nepal: Updates on the Flooding
Phillips, and G.E. Lloyd, Geology of in Seti River, Situation Report-04, 10
the Dhaulagiri-Annapurna-Manaslu May 2012.
Himalaya, Western Region, Nepal.
1:200,000. Journal of Maps, 2014, p1- BDRC Report, Stories of Change, Building
11. Disaster Resilient Communities in
Pokhara Sub-Metropolitan City, 2014,
The Japanese Disaster Survey Team, p.46.
Survey Report on the Seti River Flood,
Nepal (May 5, 2012), 2012, pp. 59. eKantipur.com, Lack of preparedness to
blame for Seti havoc: Experts, dated
N.P. Bhandary, R.K. Dahal, and M. 11 May 2012, http://www.ekantipur.
Okamura, Preliminary Understanding com/2012/05/11/top-story/lack-of-
of the Seti River Debris-Flood in preparedness-to-blame-for-seti-
Pokhara, Nepal, on May 5th, 2012 havoc-experts/353748.html
- A Report based on a Quick Field
Visit Program, Soil Mechanics and eKantipur.com, Pokhara at risk due to
Geotechnical Engineering, 2012, Vol. rampant sand mining, dated 11 July
6, pp. 11. 2014,
1
This is not the complete list; only those who were interviewed during the study.
the locality and generate information for and mobilized women and girls in EWS.
warning purposes. Involvement of women However, messages are not gender
and men will help identify the information sensitive and dissemination mechanisms
accurately, on time and earlier than done are not gender either.
stand alone. It will help reduce the risks.
Response capacity building: Majority of
Dissemination and information: the organizations surveyed were involved
Dissemination and information: Women as in response capacity building. However,
disaster alert recipient were not considered it was not systematic and linked to EWS.
while sending disaster messages. Sending Although women play an important role in
disaster messages through radios, mobile responding to disasters and are capable to
phones do not ensure that the messages cope with, adapt and withstand the impact
are received by women and girls. Some of disasters, they are usually not involved
organizations have formed women groups in the EWS processes.
12. Various DRR and EWS tools and UNISDR 2005. Elements of People-Cantered
Early Warning System, Geneva.
frameworks need to be revised and
make them gender sensitive. UN 2002. Living with Risk: A Global Review of
Disaster Reduction Initiatives - Preliminary
13. EWS must be built on four essential Version (ADRC, ISDR, UN, WMO)
aspects (Mercy corps and practical
Action 2010):-effectiveness, efficiency, UNISDR 2004. Basic Terms in Disaster Risk
equity and legitimacy. Reduction. Version 31/03/2004. http://
www.unisdr.org/2004/wcdr-dialogue/
terminology.htm
References and further readings
Villagran je Leon, Juan Carlos and Janos
Centre for Excellence in Disaster Management Bogardi 2006. Early Warning Systems in
and Humanitarian Assistance. 2015. the Contexts of Disaster Management.
Disaster Management Reference Book, UNU-EHS http://www.eird.org/cd/
Nepal. 2015. CEDMHA. indm/documentos/46fad12d0a6
2e5.38742613.pdf
Kafle, Shesh Kanta 2006. Integrating
Community Based Disaster Risk
Reduction into the Government Policy
and Programming in Southeast Asia.
IDRC, Davos, Switzerland.
Photo: DPNet-Nepal
1
Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD)
2
Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD)
3
Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD)
4
Department of Hydrology and Meteorology (DHM)
Figure 1 Surface level atmospheric pressure from 13-16 August based on NCEP/
NCAR reanalysis data
13 August 14 August
the Himalayan foothills like what happened transmit data on a regular prefixed interval
in 1993. This phenomenon is also known as and are available in a web-based platform
the monsoon break in India. In Figure 1 the (www.hydrology.gov.np).
position of the monsoon trough is indicated
with a red line over the four day period Between 13 and 14 August within a period
from 13-16 August 2014 which brought in of 48 hours high rainfall was observed in
intense rainfall in many parts of Nepal. the Koshi basin with Chatara receiving
191.2 mm, Mulghat 129.2 mm and
Real-Time Flood Monitoring Rabuwabazar 113.6 mm. On 15 August
2014 in many areas of western Nepal
Real-time observation of water level and rainfall exceeded 100 mm rainfall within 24
rainfall are key input to flood monitoring. hours with Birendranagar receiving 423.1
Real-time monitoring can immediately mm, Chisapani (Karnali) 493.8 mm and
notify decision makers about dangerous Beljhundi (Dang) 346 mm (Regmi 2014).
water levels through telemetry. Real- Many of the rivers Koshi, Narayani, West
time monitoring also provides continuous Rapti and Karnali were flowing above
datasets for better understanding the alert level resulting in large areas to flood.
variation of flows at daily, monthly and The flood levels in the Koshi went above
seasonal basis. The DHM has a network the alert level with discharge exceeding
of real-time hydrometeorological stations 7000 m3/sec at 6.37 m close to the 6.8 m
across Nepal. More than 50 real-time danger level (Figure 2). Around midnight
hydrometeorological stations provide the on 14 August the water level in the West
rainfall and water level of the major rivers Rapti river crossed above danger level
such as the Koshi, Karnali, Narayani. and remained above this level for 30
The DHM has identified different warning hours (Figure 3) creating inundation and
and danger levels for stations in major widespread flooding. To enable timely
rivers depending on the volume of water preparedness alerts were posted by DHM
discharge. Warnings are issued as soon as on its website which provided the water
the water levels exceed a given threshold levels in the Koshi, Rapti, Karnali and
or the alert level. The real-time stations Narayani rivers.
Figure 3 Water level and discharge at West Rapti, Kusum (14 -16 August) (Source:
www.hydrology.gov.np)
various organizations related to disaster the gauge reader was able to inform the
management along with technological gap people downstream about the high flood
as problems of inadequate preparedness conditions though with some delay due to
against impending flood disasters. Despite poor mobile network connectivity.
this lack of coordination the local responses
were found to have been effective which The Himalayan Times reported the August
contributed to minimizing the losses. 2014 floods also swept away the canal of
Floods washed away the gauging station Triveni Micro Hydropower Project that left
in Chepang on the Babai river. However, the district headquarters of Bajura (Martadi)
Figure 4 Power house of the Triveni Micro Hydropower Project at risk by the Ba-
huli Rivulet, in Martadi of Bajura (Source: Prakash Singh) http://www.the-
himalayantimes.com/fullNews.php?headline=Bajura+headquarters+in+dark+-
for+five+days&NewsID=424456#sthash.77OQPrqW.dpuf
(a) (b)
Lessons Learnt and Conclusion Often during such flood disasters, societal
inequalities are amplified, and poor people
During the 2014 floods huge loss of especially women, the elderly, and
lives, properties and infrastructure was children, living along river banks and in the
recorded. More than 200 people were flood plains are particularly vulnerable.
killed, thousands of families affected, To make early warning systems effective
roads, bridges and hydropower damaged. and efficient, we must recognize the active
This calls for the need to have sounder role that women play in family livelihood
preparedness, response and planning and security, and efforts must be made to
design of infrastructures considering the involve women and men equally in creating
impact of changing climate and variability and receiving early warnings and alerts.
for improved flood resilience.
Real-time monitoring of water levels and rainfall,
transmission of data and communication
Figure 8 Flood outlook at Chatara on the Koshi from 13-15th August, 2014
1400
1200
1000
800
600
400
200
0
1972 1974 1976 1978 1980 1982 1984 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998
Annexes
Fire Earthquake Thunderbolt
Hailstone Epidemics Avalanche/Snowstone
Flood & Landslide
Soruce: DesInventor
In the above figure 31 we can see the losses of human lives due to various types
of disasters between 1972 to 1998. The figure shows that most people are killed by
epidemics followed by floods and landslides. Epidemics killed a number of people in
1995. We can see the sharp rise of death toll in the year 1993, which is because of the
floods and landslides in central Nepal. A total number of 1,537 people died in that single
disaster. So the three types of disasters namely; epidemics, floods and landslides have
been found more destructive than other disasters between the years 1972 to 1998.
Annexes
20 1-Apr Saptari Bagaduwa-3 Fire 40
21 3-Apr Kaski Lekhnath-11 Boat 3 2 3
Capsize
22 4-Apr Siraha Fulkahakatti-1 Fire 4 14
23 5-Apr Bara Inarwamala-2 Fire 25
24 8-Apr Saptari Mainashreeharsabahu-3 Fire 24
25 12-Apr Sindhuli Kalpabriskhya-4 Fire 1 14
26 13-Apr Parsa Mirjapur-2,3 Fire 39
27 13-Apr Rautahat Basbitti-9, Fire 82
Raghunath-3,4
28 13-Apr Parsa Dhore-2,8 Fire 172
29 14-Apr Saptari Nilathi-6 Fire 25
30 15-Apr Sindhupalchowk Thokarpa-7,8,9 Thunderbolt 1 3
31 16-Apr Banke Holiya-3 Fire 37
32 17-Apr Bardiya Belawa-7 Fire 250
33 1-May Surkhet Neta-5 Fire 1 16
34 4-May Saptari Joganiya-7 Fire 39
35 9-May Myagdi Ramche-1 Thunderbolt 1 7
36 12-May Bara Sukipathara-1 Wind Storm 2 2
37 15-May Mustang Marpha-5 Air Crash 22
38 5-Jun Taplejung Thumkima-4,6 Landslide 7 4 3
39 17-Jun Darchula Khalanga-5 Flood 1 317
Annexes
18 2-Jun-14 Bardiya Sanoshree-1 Thunderbolt 1 3
19 7-Jun-14 Bajura Kolti-1,2 Flood 3 1 30
20 19-Jun-14 Pyuthan Khung-8 Landslide 5 1
21 19-Jun-14 Gulmi Aglung-8 Landslide 9
22 9-Jul-14 Nuwakot Rautbesi-6 Thunderbolt 12
23 19-Jul-14 Kanchanpur Bhimdutta-11,12,13 Flood 163
24 19-Jul-14 Kanchanpur Belauri-7 Flood 50
25 2-Aug-14 Sindhupalchowk Mankha-1 Landslide 33 123 47 478
26 4-Aug-14 Sankhuwasabha Sabun-3 Landslide 8 2 3
27 9-Aug-14 Dolakha Jiri-7 Landslide 4 8
28 14-Aug-14 Surkhet Different Places Flood 34 91 26 3866
29 13-Aug-14 Bardiya Different Places Flood 33 15 2 17376
30 13-Aug-14 Banke Different Places Flood 15 5 2 10763
31 14-Aug-14 Dang Different Places Flood 14 4 2 3984
32 14-Aug-14 Rautahat Dharampur-6,7,8,9 Flood 250
33 14-Aug-14 Rukum Chunabang-8 Landslide 2 2
34 15-Aug-14 Gorkha Phinam-6 Landslide 3 8
35 8-Sep-14 Makawanpur Betini-5 Thunderbolt 2 4
36 14-Sep-14 Mustang Treeking Route Snow Storm 24
Annexes
ofweatherpatterns overperiodsranging
Bench Mark: An accurate height from decades to millions of years. It may
measurement of a feature marked on a be a change in average weather conditions
map. or the distribution of events around that
average (e.g., more or fewer extreme
Biological Disaster: Disaster caused by weather events).2
the exposure of living organisms to germs
and toxic substances. Climatic Hazards: are the harmful
effects of climate change on livelihoods
Biological Hazard: It includes infectious and ecosystems. They can be caused
and cytotoxic waste. by gradual climate variability or extreme
weather events. Some hazards are
Blizzard: Violent winter storm, lasting at continuous phenomena that start slowly,
least three hours, which combines below such as the increasing unpredictability
freezing temperatures and very strong of temperatures and rainfall. Others are
wind laden with blowing snow that reduces sudden but relatively discrete events such
visibility to less than 1 kilometer. [AEM, as heat waves or floods.
Glossary]
Climate Variability: refers to variations
Bund: An enclosure around plant or tanks in the climate statistics from the long term
to contain leakage or spillage. statistics over a given period of time.
1
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Climate
2
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Climate_change
Annexes
by a community to mitigate the effects of a significant coordinated response by
potential disasters. Community resilience: the state and other entities to help the
Community resilience is a relative term and community recover from the disruption like:
refers to an ideal condition of a community human life loss, illness, injury, property
in terms of its capacity to anticipate, loss and damage to environment [AMI,
prepare for, respond to, and recover Australia]. UN-ISDR defines disaster as
quickly from the impacts of a disaster. The a serious disruption of the functioning of
disaster resilient community is a positive a society, community or a project causing
concept, and while complete resilience is widespread or serious human, material,
not attainable, every community is striving economic or environmental losses, which
to achieve it. exceed the coping ability of the affected
society, community or project using its own
Contingency Planning: Contingency resources.
Planning is a management process that
analyses specific potential events or Disaster Management: Disaster
emerging situations that might threaten Management is a collective term
society or the environment and establishes encompassing all aspects of planning
arrangements in advance to enable timely, for and responding to disasters. It refers
effective and appropriate responses to to the management of both the risks and
such events and situations. consequences of disasters. [UNISDR
2004]. Disaster management covers all
Cost Effectiveness: A measure of measures that help a society to avoid,
effectiveness expressed in terms of the minimize loss and recover from the
cost per unit of benefit. For example, in risk impacts of disasters. These measures
understood as a systematic inquiry, before risks throughout a society; and avoid or limit
and after a disaster, into a relevant disaster the adverse impacts of hazards; which is
management problem (COAG, Natural done within the broad context of sustainable
Disasters in Australia: Reforming mitigation, development. Therefore DRR is reducing
relief and recovery arrangements: 2002). exposure to hazards, lessening vulnerability
of people and property, wise management
Disaster Response: The taking of of land and the environment, and improving
appropriate measures to respond to an preparedness and early warning for adverse
event, including action taken and measures events are the examples of disaster risk
planned in anticipation of, during, and reduction. [UNISDR 2004]
immediately after an event to ensure that
its effects are minimised and that persons In summary -- the principle of reducing risks
affected by the event are given immediate from natural as well as man-made hazards
relief and support (Disaster Management is known as disaster risk reduction (DRR)
Act of Australia 2003). which will ultimately lead to resilience.
Disaster Response Capability: The ability Displaced Person: Person, who, for
to provide equipment and a suitable number different reasons or circumstances, has
of persons, using the resources available been compelled to leave their home. They
to the local government, to effectively deal may or may not reside in their country of
with, or help another entity to deal with, an origin, but are not legally regarded as a
emergency situation or a disaster in the local refugee. [AEM, Glossary]
governments area (Disaster Management
Act of Australia 2003). District Disaster Management Plan:
A plan prepared under the Disaster
Drought refers to the naturally occurring Emergency Relief: It refers to the period
phenomenon that exists when precipitation immediately following the occurrence of a
has been significantly below normal disaster when steps are taken to meet the
recorded levels, causing serious needs of survivors in respect to shelter,
hydrological imbalances that adversely water, food and medical care. Activities
affect land resource production systems. undertaken during and immediately
Source: United Nations Convention to following a disaster include immediate
Combat Desertification. rescue, relief, damage and needs
assessment and debris clearance.
Early Warning System: The aim of early
warning is to warn people well ahead of Epicentre: The point on the Earths surface
any possible disaster so that the losses directly above the focus (or hypocenter) of
of human lives could be saved. In generic an earthquake.
terms, early warning constitutes a process
whereby information concerning a potential Evacuation: The planned relocation of
disaster is provided to people at risk and to persons from dangerous or potentially
institutions so that tasks may be executed dangerous areas to safer areas and
prior to its manifestation to minimize its eventual return.
Annexes
detrimental impacts, such as fatalities,
injuries, damage and interruptions of Exposure: The circumstance of being
normal activities. In other words, early exposed to radiation, or: a defined
warning is the set of capacities needed dosimetric quantity now no longer used for
to generate and disseminate timely and radiation protection purposes.
meaningful warning information to enable
individuals, communities, and organizations Flood: refers to a rise, usually brief, in
threatened by a hazard to prepare and to the water level in a stream to a peak from
act appropriately and in sufficient time to which the water level recedes at a slower
reduce the possibility of harm or loss. To rate. Source: International Glossary of
be effective, an early warning mechanism Hydrology.
must include public education, accurate
risk perception, a communications system Forecast: Statement of expected
to relay the message and an emergency meteorological conditions for a specific
management system to adequately period and for a specific period and for a
coordinate the response. [Coppola 2011] specific area or portion of air space.
Earthquake: refers to the sudden release of Gender: The social attributes and
slowly accumulated energy along tectonic opportunities associated with being male
plates that make up the earths crust. They or female and the relationships between
represent a particularly severe threat due women and men and girls and boys, as
to the irregular intervals between events, well as the relations between women
the lack of adequate predictive models, and between men. These attributes,
and the associated hazards which include: opportunities, and relationships are
ground shaking; vertical or horizontal fault socially constructed and are learned
Annexes
hazard itself or the elements exposed to the disaster situations to cope with them
threat. Examples of mitigation measures effectively. Preparedness includes the
which are hazard specific include modifying formulation of viable emergency plans, the
the occurrence of the hazard, e.g. water development of early warning systems, the
management in drought prone areas, maintenance of inventories and the training
avoiding the hazard by sitting people away of personnel. It may also embrace search
from the hazard and by strengthening and rescue measures as well as evacuation
structures to reduce damage when a plans for areas that may be at risk from a
hazard occurs. In addition to these physical recurring disaster. Preparedness therefore
measures, mitigation should also be encompasses those measures taken
aimed at reducing the physical, economic before a disaster event, which are aimed at
and social vulnerability to threats and the minimizing loss of life, disruption of critical
underlying causes for this vulnerability. services, and damage when the disaster
Therefore mitigation may incorporate occurs. All preparedness planning needs
addressing issues such as land ownership, to be supported by appropriate legislation
tenancy rights, wealth distribution, etc. with clear allocation of responsibilities and
[Oxford Centre for Disaster Studies] budgetary provisions.
Annexes
be found.[Source: Wikipedia] coordination of response from relevant
authorities and the population. [AEM
Richter Scale: An open-ended logarithmic Glossary]
scale used to express the magnitude or
total energy of a seismic disturbance (or Standard Operating Procedure (SOP):
earthquake). In this scale an increase of A set of directions detailing what actions
1 indicates a thirty-fold increase in energy. could be taken, as well as how, when, by
[AEM, Glossary] whom and why, for specific events or tasks.
[AEM, Glossary]
Risk: Risk describes the expected losses
caused by a particular phenomenon and Stockpiling: The process of prior
is a combination of the probability of an identification, availability and storage of
event with its negative consequences. R= supplies likely to be needed for disaster
H*V/C, where R is risk, H is hazard, V is response.
vulnerability, C is coping capacity. Risk
is the likelihood of an event occurring Storm Surge: refers to an above normal
multiplied by the consequence of that rise in water level on the open coast due to
event, were it to occur: RISK=LIKELIHOOD atmospheric pressure reduction as well as
X CONSEQUENCE (Ansell & Wharton, wind stress.
1992). Or the above relationship can be
written as an equation: Disaster Risk = Sustainability: refers to management
Hazard + Vulnerability. Then, there are four of planetary resources for the benefit of
components of risk namely; probability, present generations without compromising
consequences, hazard and exposure. the reasonably foreseeable needs of future
generations for such services.
3
Wikipedia.org/wiki/WASH
4
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weather
References
2007, Nepal Center for Disaster UNDP-ISDR, NSET (2009).
Management, Lalitpur.
Local Self-Governance Act 1999, the
Draft Disaster Management Policy Government of Nepal.
2007, Nepal Center for Disaster
Ministry of Population and Environment,
Management, Lalitpur.
(2004). Annual Report, Kathmandu,
Disaster Management Act 2003, the Nepal.
Government of Queensland, Australia.
Ministry of Home Affairs, GoN/JICA, 2002.
Disaster Management Strategic Policy The Study on Earthquake Disaster
Framework, 2010, the Government of Mitigation inthe Kathmandu Valley,
Queensland, Australia. Nepal. (5 volumes).
Disaster Management Related Web Links, National Population and Housing Census
the Government of Queensland, 2011, (National Report), Central
Australia. Bureau of Statistics, Government of
Disaster Management Related Web Nepal.
Links, the Government of the United Natural Calamity Relief Act 1982, the
States of America. Government of Nepal.
Disaster Management Related Web National Action Plan on Disaster
Links, the Government of Nepal. Management in Nepal 1996, the
Disaster Management Related Web Links, Government of Nepal.
the Government of New Zealand. National Strategy for Disaster Risk
ICIMOD, (1996). Database of Key Indicators Management, 2009, the Government
of Nepal.
References