Invest in forecasting

Widespread loss of life and property from water-induced disasters must be prevented at any cost.

This year’s Dashain was marked not only by political uncertainty but also incessant late-monsoon downpour. But amid this gloom, people could still feel the government’s presence, as state bodies effectively disseminated weather-related information to prevent the loss of lives and property. Disaster preparedness was also on track. As a result, Nepal reported far less in losses this year compared to the damages during previous monsoons. Yet challenges remain, given significant changes in rainfall patterns and limited resources in the only body handling weather forecasts, i.e., the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology (DHM). Mitigating the impact of monsoon-related disasters and shifting rainfall patterns calls for a long-term strategy, which includes drastically enhancing the department’s capacity.