Nepal model to inspire flood relief

Nepal model to inspire flood relief


-BY: ANUP SARMA
Guwahati, Sept. 7: A disaster risk reduction programme, inspired by a Nepal rescue model, will help thousands in four districts of lower Assam prepare for the annual calamity called flash floods. The programme that helps communities prepare for a disaster, has been successfully implemented in the remote Kailali district of Nepal, will cover Nalbari, Barpeta, Baksa and Bongaigaon districts in Assam.


Gramya Vikash Mancha (GVM) — an NGO based in Nalbari town — is going to implement the Kailali model of disaster risk reduction initiative in the four districts located on the foothills of Bhutan. Funded by the European Commission, the project is being supported by Action Aid, a leading NGO. “Every year, thousands of people are marooned by the devastating floods in the four districts. The floods are triggered by severe rainfall in the hills of Bhutan and sometimes by release of excess water from the Kurichu dam in the Himalayan country. The Nona, Borolia and Pagaldia rivers and their tributaries are primarily responsible for these floods,” said chairman of the Mancha, Prithibhushan Deka, while adding that the project is initially being implemented in two districts — Nalbari and Baksa. “If it proves to be successful, it can be extended to the other districts too,” he added. “As of today, we have already set up three rain gauges in three locations in Baksa district — Chowki, Subankhata and Dhamdhama. These three places are located in the upper catchment area,” he said, adding that another three rain gauges will be set up in the lower catchment area. “There will be a network of volunteers in the upper catchment as well as in the lower catchment areas, who will inform each other about the regular update on rainfall,” he said. They will have 11 Fortin’s barometers installed in various locations in Nalbari district.


The barometers will predict the probability of strong winds and thunderstorm an hour in advance. “We are also going to establish two weather stations — one each at Barbhag College in Nalbari and at the Mancha’s office campus, which will give regular weather update and disseminate the information through the network of volunteers,” said Deka. Everything will be completed within the next three weeks. Mercy Corps, Nepal, in association with the Nepal Red Cross Society, Kailali district piloted the Kailali Disaster Risk Reduction Initiative from November 2007 to April 2009. The project involved six communities along the Mohana river and tributaries in the far western part of the Terai plains.


Apart from reducing the risks associated with floods, the programme helped communities to prepare for and respond to floods. Consequently, when severe floods hit Kailali district on September 20, 2008, the communities were well prepared — followed their evacuation plans and conducted search and rescue. The preparedness saved lives and significantly reduced loss of property.

 Source: The Telegraph (http://www.telegraphindia.com/1100908/jsp/northeast/story_12907498.jsp)