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DISASTER REVIEW 2006 DWIDP

Editorial Board

Editor-in-ChiefMr. Lal Chand Pradhan

Deputy-Director General

Managing EditorMr. Shanti Kumar Hyoju

Chief- Information, Study and Training Section

Executive EditorMr. Prakash Man Shrestha

Engineer- Information, Study and Training Section

MembersMr. Samanta Man Sthapit

Chief- Rehabilitation Section

Mr. Nokh Bahadur BashyalSection Officer- Administration Section

Mr. Rajan ShakyaSociologist- Information, Study and Training Section

Mr. Sanjaya PradhanEngineer- Information, Study and Training Section

DISASTER REVIEW 2006DISASTER REVIEW 2006

Published by

Government of Nepal Ministry of Water Resources

Department of Water Induced Disaster Prevention(DWIDP)

July 2007 Series XIV Annual

Advisory Board

Mr. Narayan Prasad BhattaraiDirector General, DWIDP

Mr. Khom Raj DahalDeputy-Director General

Study and Implementation Division, DWIDP

Mr. Lal Chand PradhanDeputy-Director General

Research, Training and Monitoring Division, DWIDP

Mr. Hitoshi Kato JICA Disaster Prevention Advisor, DWIDP


2

CONTENTS

• An Introduction of Department of Water Induced DisasterPrevention (DWIDP)

• A Brief View of the Features of Nepal

• Water Induced Disasters of the Year 2006

• Summary and Comparison of All types of Disasters As well AsWater Induced Disasters of 2006 with the Previous Years'Disasters in Nepal

• Ranking of Water Induced Disaster Affected Districts in 2006

• Nepal Red Cross Society in Disaster Management

• The Year 2006, a Dry Year

• Characteristics of Natural Disasters and their Linkage toDevelopment in Nepal

• k|fs[lts k|sf]k Go'gLs/0fsf ;Gbe{df eP ul/Psf k|of;x¿

• Comparison of World Water-Induced Disasters and theWater-Induced Disasters of Nepal

FOREWORDNepal may be featured as one of the most water

induced disaster prone countries in the world. She has thecharacteristics of unstable steep slopes, fragile geologicalformation and heavy monsoon rainfalls concentrated duringmid-June to mid-September. Extreme topographical variationand geological characteristics along with torrential rainduring the monsoon season make the country suffer fromdifferent kinds of water-induced disasters like soil erosion,landslides, debris flows, floods, glacial lake outburst floodsetc. These phenomena cause heavy loss of lives andproperties, and large damage infrastructures, therebydisrupting the social and economic development of thecountry.

Every year low lying places of Nepal, like the terai,inner terai and valleys are inundated by floods during themonsoon season, while the hill and mountain areas sufferfrom landslides and debris flows. Management of rivers forcontrolling flooding widespread area of arable land andwashing away houses and bridges, roads etc. in the terai aswell as reducing soil erosion in the hills is a complex task.However, efforts have been made to mitigate the problem inthe field of river training, landslide and debris flow control bythe Government with its limited means and resources. Thetask being highly complicated as well as resourcedemanding, can only be accomplished with an integrateddevelopment approach and active participation ofbeneficiaries. It is very essential to create public awarenessfor preventive, preparedness and rescue operations inmitigating water induced disasters. The technical as well aseconomical support and co-operation from various donoragencies are very vital in this regard. Raising awareness andinformation dissemination on water-induced disasters areprime inputs to disaster mitigation, prevention andpreparedness. The Department of Water Induced DisasterPrevention (DWIDP), since its earlier phase as the DPTC, hasbeen actively involving in the mitigation and study of water-induced disasters in Nepal.

The main objective of this Disaster Review is to furnishthe information on the events recorded on water induceddisaster in the year 2006 throughout the country and todisseminate the information. It incorporates matters like theDisaster Summary of 2006, comparison of the Disastersoccurred in 2006 with the previous disasters and some otherbackground papers related to water-induced disasters inNepal.

The DWIDP highly acknowledges all the concernedagencies especially the Ministry of Home Affairs and otherline agencies for their valuable co-operation during thepreparation ot this Disaster Review.

Lastly, but not the least, the DWIDP extends itsappreciation and thanks to all the authors of the papers fortheir valuable contribution.

– The Editorial Board

DISASTER REVIEW 2006July 2007 Annual Series XIV

Photographs of Cover Picture

• Top Right : Flood in Rapti river at Hetauda - 11, the Rescue operation.

– Source: The Kantipur Dailly• Top Left : Rock Failure, near Siddha Baba Temple along

Siddhartha Highway, – Photo Courtesy: Dr. P.B. Thapa

• Bottom : Debris Flow Disaster at Phedigaon, Palung– Photo Courtesy: Dr. P.B. Thapa

Layout Design: Ashutosh Multiple TradersThe opinions expressed in the articles are

solely of the authors only.


3

1. BackgroundNepal suffers from various types of water-induced disasters such as soilerosion, landslides, debris flow, flood, bank erosion etc. due to its ruggedtopographically weak geological formations, active seismic conditions,occasional glacier lake outburst floods, concentrated monsoon rainsassociated with unscientific land utilizations. These phenomena induce severeimpacts on the vital infrastructures of the nation such as roads, houses,hydropower, irrigation and drinking water facilities, cause loss of agriculturallands, properties and human lives posing a severe threat to the sustainabledevelopment of the country. In order to mitigate these disasters in Nepal, thethen Water Induced Disaster Prevention Technical Centre (DPTC) wasestablished under the Ministry of Water Resources under an agreementbetween the Government of Nepal and the Government of Japan on 7October 1991. The DPTC was continued for seven and half years under theparticipation of the concerned agencies of the Government and the co-operation of Japan International Co-operation Agency (JICA).

To institutionalize the objectives and achievements of the DPTC, theDepartment of Water Induced Disaster Prevention (DWIDP) wasestablished on 7 February 2000 under the Ministry of Water Resources.

The then River Training Division of the Department of Irrigation wasmerged in the organizational structure of the DWIDP to strengthenits institutional capability. Seven Division and five sub-divisionoffices were established so as to mitigate the water-induceddisasters throughout the kingdom.

2. GoalThe main goal of the Department is to minimize the humancausalities and damages of infrastructures caused by waterinduced disasters by appropriate water induced disastermanagement and mitigation.

3. ObjectiveTo implement the programmes of river and river basinsconservation and to develop related appropriate technology,research, information systems, human resource and institutionaldevelopment activities and to raise awareness of communitiesso as to mitigate water-induced disasters.

4. Strategies • To formulate and implement water-induced disaster

management policy and plans.• To prepare hazard maps and risk zoning.

• To strengthen the network for disaster mitigation and toestablish disaster information systems.

• To conduct community awareness programmes and trainingson water-induced disaster management.

• To activate Indo-Nepal Inundation committee(s).• To prepare and implement Flood Plain Action Plan.• To implement disaster mitigation measures.• To strengthen the institutional development, human resource

development and capacity building.• To identity environment-friendly water-induced disaster

mitigation measures and construction methodology.• To institutionalize and strengthen water-induced disaster

rehabilitation system.• To develop disaster information system and disseminate the

disaster information.• To perform the capability building of the Government and

community for water-induced disaster mitigation works.

5. Main Activities of the DWIDPa. Technology Development WorkThe main activity under this work is to develop theenvironment friendly technology by the amalgamation oflocal and modern technology. Various technologies areproposed and compared in the selected sites through modelconstruction works so as to identify the appropriatetechnology suitable to a specific site. The experience thusgained in the model sites are disseminated through technicalguidelines and providing suggestions to ongoing projects.

b. Training, Study and Information WorkTrainings are conducted to develop the knowledge and skillsof the technical staffs of Government offices and relatedagencies associated with water-induced disaster mitigationworks. A data bank is established by collecting informationrelated to water-induced disasters and these informations aredisseminated through various publications. Besides these,

various studies on water-induced disasters are performed.Community awareness programmes are conducted throughseminars and workshops.

c. Water-induced Disaster (WID) Mitigation WorkEmergency works, point control works and long-term mitigationworks through the preparation of master plans are implementedagainst the water-induced disasters such as floods, landslides &debris flows under this activity.

6. Different Programmes and Projects Implemented under the DWIDP

a. Disaster Mitigation Support Programme (DMSP)Followings are the main activities of the DMSP under the DWIDP.Community disaster mitigation works.• Disaster Mitigation Education and WID awareness raising activities.• Promotion of appropriate and low cost technology.• Peoples' participation works in disaster mitigation.• Disaster rehabilitation works.• Institutionalizations works.• Survey and estimation of disaster effects.• Emergency rehabilitation model construction works.• Development and dissemination of information system of WID. • Conduction of WID Training and Seminars.• Development of Disaster Information System.• Preparation of WID Hazard Maps using GIS.

An Introduction of Department of Water Induced Disaster Prevention (DWIDP)

Map showing DWIDP, and its Division & Sub-division offices

• Assist for the development of WID mitigation curriculum.• To promote the technical assistance in the affected

communities.b. River Training ProjectThe main activities of this central level project under the DWIDP are as follows:• To supply gabion boxes and other river training materials

for emergency works all over the country.• To study rivers for disaster mitigation and management.• To activate the Standing Committee on Inundation Problems (SCIP)

for the mitigation of the WID of Indo-Nepal border rivers.

c. Mugling- Narayanghat Water Induced Disaster Prevention ProjectThis project was started in the Fiscal year 2061/62 to mitigate thewater-induced disaster like landslide and debris flow damages alongMugling-Narayanghat Road sector specially due to the intensiverainfall of July 2003. The total estimated cost of the project is Rs. 30crore 20 lakhs out of which the Government of Nepal bears Rs. 3 crore and the rest by JICA. The project duration is 3 years.

d. Bagmati River Training ProjectThe seventh meeting of SCIP formulated Bagmati river trainingproject for the construction of embankments at Bagmati River interai. With NRs. 314.13 million contribution from the Governmentof India and NRs. 78.43 million contribution of the Government ofNepal this project is estimated at NRs. 392.56 million.

e. Lal Bakaiya River Training ProjectLal Bakaiya River Training Project has been formulated for thetraining work of Lal Bakaiya River in Rautahat district with the totalproject cost of NRs. 61.4 million among which NRs. 45.8 millionis the contribution from the Government of India and NRs. 15.6million from Government of Nepal.

f. Sindhuli- Bardibas Water Induced Disaster Prevention ProjectThis project was started under the WIDP Division Office No. 2,Janakpur in the Fiscal year 2062/63 to project Sindhuli-Bardibasroad from water-induced disasters like landslides and debris flows.

The estimated cost of the project is Rs. 16 crore and willcommence till the Fiscal year 2064/65.

7. Water Induced Disaster Mitigation Policy 2062Government of Nepal issued "Water Induced Disaster Mitigation Policy

2062". In this policy following subjects are included.(a) Emergency protection(b) Water Induced Disaster Mitigation(c) Natural Resource Conservation(d) Utilization of flood plains(e) Institutional Management and Development

8. Manpower of the DWIDP

9. Physical Facilities of the DWIDP1. Central office at Pulchowk2. Hydraulic Laboratory at Godawari

• River simulation model facility• Debris flow simulation model facility• Landslide simulation model facility• Soil testing facility• Concrete testing facility

3. Heavy equipment garage at Baneshwor4. Seven division offices and five sub-division offices 5. Gabion net weaving machines in Biratnagar, Parwanipur,

Pokhara, Nepalgunj and Dhangadhi.


4

S.No DescriptionDepartment

Division Sub-division TotalPool Regular

1 Gazetted I (Tech.) 3 - - 3

2 Gazetted II (Tech.) 7 7 - 14

3 Gazetted III (Tech.) 2 19 22 5 48

4 Gazetted III 3 - - 3

5 Non-Gazetted I (Tech.) 8 15 44 10 77

6 Non-Gazetted I 6 14 - 20

7 Non-Gazetted II (Tech.) - 2 - 2

8 Non-Gazetted II 2 7 10 19

9 Non-classified 5 30 10 45

Total 10 60 126 35 231

Organization Structure of the DWIDP

DMSP

TechnologyDevelopment Section

Training and InformationSection

Division OfficesDivision Office No. 1, Biratnagar, MorangDivision Office No. 2, Janakpur, DhanushaDivision Office No. 3 Parwanipur, BaraDivision OfficeNo. 4, BhaktapurDivision Office No. 5, Bhairahawa, RupandehiDivision Office No. 6, Nepalganj, BankeDivision Office No. 7, Dhanagadhi, Kailali

Sub-division OfficesSub-division Office No. 1,Bidur, NuwakotSub-division Office No. 2, Pokhara, KaskiSub-division Office No. 3, Lamahi, DangSub-division Office No. 4, Birendranagar, SurkhetSub-division Office No. 5, Dipayal, Doti

River TraningImplementation Section

River Traning studySection

Mechanical ManagementSection

Administration, Accountand Legal Section

Department of Water Induced Disaster PreventionDirector General

Study and Implemantation DivisionDeputy Director General

Research, Training and Monitoring Division Deputy Director General

JCC

Ministry of Water Resources

JCC: Joint Co-ordination CommitteeDMSP : Disaster Mitigation Support Programme


5

Nepal is characterized by a rugged topography,very high relief, variable climatic conditions, complexgeological structures with active tectonic process andcontinued seismic activities. It is situated in the central partof the Himalayan Belt. The elevation of the country risesfrom 60m. at Terai (Jhapa) to 8848m. at Mt. Everest in thenorth within a short horizontal distance of 90 to 120Km.Such a sharp verticallity renders the country highlyvulnerable to potential water-induced disasters likelandslide, slope failure, soil erosion and debris flow etc. Themountains and hills of the country occupy about 83% of thetotal area whereas remaining 17% is covered by low andflat land, stretching in the southern part of the country uptothe Indian border.

Nepal is a landlocked country extending from26°22 to 30°27’ North Latitude and 80°4’ to 88°12’ EastLongitude and surrounded by the Tibetan AutonomousRegion of the People’s Republic of China in the North andIndia on other remaining sides. The total area of the countryis about 147,181 sq.km. with about 31,268 sq.km. ofcultivated area and population of around 23 milliongrowing at the rate of 2.24% per year. Of the total landmass middle mountain comprise 30% of land area followedby Himalaya 23%, High mountains 20%, Terai 14% and theSiwaliks 13%.

Geologically, Nepal can be divided into fiveregions. The area north to Main Central Thrust (MCT) isthe Higher Himalaya whereas between Main CentralThrust (MCT) and Main Boundary Thrust (MBT) can bedivided into High Mountains and Middle Mountains. Thearea between the Main Boundary Thrust and theHimalayan Frontal Thrust is called the Siwalik Range andthe south of the Himalayan Frontal Thrust is the Teraiplain. The geological formation of each region isdifferent. Geologically, Himalaya and other mountainranges have been formed by orogeny, resulting from thecollision of the Indian subcontinental plateau with theEurasian continental plateau. The orogenic movement isstill active as evidenced by numerous earthquakes in theregion. The mountains and hilly land forms are youngand unconsolidated and are fragile due to crustaldestruction in the course of the orogenic movement.Steep slope gradient, intense precipitation and sparseforest have made hills even more erodible. The averageannual precipitation is around 1600mm. The variationranges from less than 300mm in the dry rain shadowregions to more than 5000mm in wet region, like Lumleof Kaski district.

A Brief View of the Features of Nepal

Physiographic Regions of Nepal

TeariSiwaliks

Middle Mountains High Mountains High Himalaya

Himalayan Frontal

Thrust (HFT)

Main Boundary

Thrust (MBT)

Main Central Thrust

(MCT)


6

Water Induced Disasters of the Year 2006/07The event wise scenario of the disasters occurred at differentplaces at different periods in the year 2006 is shown inTable:3. The most significant disaster events recorded in theyear 2006 were-

• Landslide of Dangsing at Kaski District on July 14, 2006which claimed 21 death casualties in total.

• Landslide at Baitadi District on Aug. 22, 2006 whichclaimed 10 death, at Banke District on Aug. 27, 2006which claimed 7 death casualities in total.

• Flood and inundation of Nawalparasi District in differentVillages on Aug. 25, 2006 which inundated 1451.73ha. of land.

• Flood & inundation at Doti and Achham Districts ofdifferent villages on August 2006, which caused anestimated loss of NRs. 713.36 million.

Floods and landslides in different places of Nepal havebeen recorded during the monsoon period of the year

2006 which are tabulated in Table:3.

The Summary of loss of lives due to natural disasters overthe years 1983 to 2006 tabulated in the Table 1; Table 2gives a general idea of the loss of lives and properties in theyear 2006 in Nepal due to different natural disasters. Thetotal number of people killed, in the year 2006 due to allnatural disasters were 132, out of which 114 people werekilled due to landslides and floods only. This figure seemslower than that of the year 2005. The estimated loss ofproperty due to natural disasters as recorded comes out tobe Rs. 392.31 million in the year 2006, while the floodsand landslides only caused the estimated loss of Rs. 288.63million in the year.

The district-wise disaster record in 2006 prepared by theMinistry of Home Affairs is presented in Table 3. This tableindicates that the major prone districts from the point of viewof loss of lives were Kaski, Baitadi and Banke while from thepoint of view of land loss were Nawalparasi, Doti & Banke inthe year 2006.

Table: 2Summary of Disasters in Nepal in the Year 2006

Table: 1Loss of Lives by Disasters in Nepal

(1983-2006)

Source: Ministry of Home Affairs

Source: Ministry of Home Affairs

Types ofDisasters 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 Total

Flood &Landslides 293 363 420 315 391 328 680 307 93 71 1336 49 203 258 83 273 193 173 196 441 232 131 141 114 7084

Earthquake 0 0 0 0 0 721 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 727Windstroms,Hailstorm &Thunderbolt

NA NA NA NA 2 NA 28 57 63 20 45 47 34 75 49 23 22 26 38 6 62 10 18 15 640

Avalanche 0 0 0 0 0 14 20 0 0 0 0 0 43 4 12 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 21 NA 119Fire 69 57 52 96 62 23 109 46 90 97 43 43 73 61 65 54 39 37 26 11 16 10 28 3 1210Epidemic 217 521 915 1101 426 427 879 503 725 128 100 626 520 494 951 840 1207 141 154 0 0 41 34 0 10950Stampede 0 0 0 0 0 71 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 NA 71Total 579 941 1387 1512 881 1584 1716 913 971 318 1524 765 873 895 1160 1190 1466 377 415 458 310 192 242 132 20800

S.N. Types of DisastersPeople Affected

FamiliesAnimalLosses

Houses Destroyed ShedDestroyed

Land Loss(In Hectors)

Estimated Losses (in Rs.)Death Missing Injured Comp. Partly

1 Flood & Landslides 114 30 39 18385 9980 2946 388 1300 3396.84 288627554

2 Earthquake 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

3 Thunderbolt 15 0 13 2 13 3 0 1 0 158500

4 Fire 3 0 33 492 105 422 3 36 0 99788814

5 Hailstorm 0 0 0 143 0 0 0 0 0 3359524

6 Windstrom 0 0 3 1 0 3 0 0 0 378600

7 Epidemic NA NA NA NA NA NA NA 0 0 NA

Total 132 30 88 19023 10098 3374 391 1337 3396.84 392312992

NA: Not Available

NA: Not Available


7

Tab

le 3

: W

ate

r In

du

ced

Dis

aste

rs:

Flo

od

an

d L

an

dsli

des i

n 2

006

Dis

tric

tV

DC

/Munic

ipalit

y &

Ward

No

Date

People

Affecte

d

Fam

ily

Anim

al

Loss

House D

estr

oyed

Shed

Destr

oyed

Land L

oss

in (

Ha.)

Public

Pro

pert

y

Losses

Estim

ate

d

Losses

(in R

s.)

Rem

ark

sD

eath

Mis

sin

gIn

jure

dC

om

p.

Part

ly

Achham

Diffe

rent

13 V

illages

27 A

ug.

200

60

88

794

012

12

50

019690000

Arg

hakhanchi

Sim

alp

ani-9

28-J

un 2

006

2.8

386800

Arg

hakhanchi

28 A

ug.

200

61

00

00

00

00

96083

Baglu

ng

Adhik

arichaur

86-M

ay 2

006

63

11

Baglu

ng

Chour

6-M

ay 2

006

60

31

00

00

00

Baitadi

Dashra

th-6

, T

ak

22 A

ug.

200

610

03

2-

20

-0.7

5700000

Bajh

ang

Bajh

-86-M

ay 2

006

75

Bajh

ang

Bajh

-810-M

ay 2

00

61

2G

hatta-6

5655000

Baju

raS

am

para

-813 A

ug.

2006

00

025

025

00

00

Banke

of

41 v

illages

27 A

ug.

2006

70

12

6664

5522

1667

01299

1045.3

5

Diffe

rent

Cro

ps,P

ublic

Pro

pert

ies

200524127

Bard

iya

of

28 v

illages

27 A

ug.

200

65

00

8287

4333

855

00

750

Schools

,

public

pro

pert

y

Chitaw

an

Aug.

2006

40

00

030

179

00

Darc

hula

Kart

e27 A

ug.

2006

10

10

00

00

00

Dhankuta

Dhankuta

M.-

7M

ay,

Aug., S

ep., 0

60

00

90

00

00

150000

Dola

kha

Melu

ng-2

9-J

ul 2006

10

00

00

00

00

Dola

kha

13 A

ug.

2006

50

210

00

10

00

0

Dolp

aLik

u-8

24-J

ul. 2

006

2B

ridge-3

Doti

Aug.

2006

20

0346

00

00

52.6

551646400

Gork

ha

Khopla

ng

13 S

ep.

2006

00

00

01

00

080000

Gork

ha

Chopra

k13 S

ep.

200

60

00

00

10

00

60000

Gork

ha

Fin

am

23 S

ep.

2006

00

00

01

00

055000

Gork

ha

Manw

u16 N

ov.

2006

00

00

01

00

090000

Gork

ha

Ta.

Ma.

La.

Ba.

17 O

ct. 2

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00

00

01

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la15-J

un.

200

62

00

00

00

00

0


8

So

urc

e:

Min

istr

y o

f H

om

e A

ffa

irs

Dis

tric

tV

DC

/Munic

ipalit

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Ward

No

Date

People

Affecte

d

Fam

ily

Anim

al

Loss

House D

estr

oyed

Shed

Destr

oyed

Land L

oss

in (

Ha.)

Public

Pro

pert

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Losses

Estim

ate

d

Losses

(in R

s.)

Rem

ark

s

Death

Mis

sin

gIn

jure

dC

om

p.

Part

ly

Jaja

rkot

Jhapra

, K

ark

igaun,

Dhim

e,

Pain

k,

Peja

ru,

Dhashera

26 A

ug.

2006

30

00

23

80

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9

Jum

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18-J

ul. 2

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e &

Corn

Kalik

ot

Thirpu-3

13-M

arc

h

2007

10

00

00

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070382

Kaski

Dangsin

g14-J

ul. 2

00

621

90

047

13

00

07100000

Kath

mandu

Pasupati-3

52-J

ul. 2

006

00

00

00

00

0

Table

s,

Offic

ial

Docum

ents

Mahottari

23 S

ep.

2006

00

50

08

00

0S

chool, R

oad

Makw

anpur

Kakada,L

am

tar

Aug.

2006

32

00

00

00

00

Manang

2 S

ep.

200

61

00

00

00

00

0

Musta

ng

Lete

-428 A

ug.

2006

90

70

00

00

00

Naw

alp

ara

si

Diffe

net

Vill

ages

25 A

ug.

20

06

30

02105

1223

74

01451.7

3562900

Nuw

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Gerk

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21 J

uly

. 2006

30

01

01

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Rasuw

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a3 A

ug.

200

64

60

326

30

03

150000

Rauta

hat

Mithuw

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9-J

ul. 2

006

02

00

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00

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Sarlahi

Pip

alm

adi-9

9-J

ul. 2

006

10

00

00

00

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Sarlahi

Khayarb

a-9

10-J

ul. 2

00

60

00

00

60

00

200000

Sin

dhuli

Dadig

ura

sh

27-M

ay 2

006

01

00

00

00

0-

Sin

dhuli

Khola

gaun

9-J

un.

200

60

00

10

10

00

31200

Sin

dhuli

Bageshw

ar-

416 S

ep.

20

06

00

01

01

00

070000

Sin

dhupalc

hok

Thokara

pa

25 S

ep.

20

06

40

01

51

00

0208000

Sin

dhupalc

hok

Aug.

2006

20

00

12

10

Surk

het

Main

tada

27 A

ug.

2006

00

07

11

70

00

1291662

Tanahu

Dhorp

hirdi-2

22-J

ul. 2

00

60

00

00

10

00

45000

Tanahu

Ranip

okhari

Aug.

2006

62

00

00

00

00

Taple

jung

Bedang

17-J

ul. 2

006

30

01

00

00

00

To

tal

114

30

39

18385

9980

2946

388

1300

3396.8

4288627554


9

Summary and Comparison of All types of Disasters As well As Water Induced Disasters of 2006 withthe Previous Years' Disasters in Nepal

The Table 1.1 and 1.2, and the figs. 1,2 and 3, preseented below showthe nature of disasters and their effect in the last twenty-four years since 1983.

The total loss of lives claimed by water-induced disasters is moderate in theyear 2006. The total number of death due to all natural disasters is 132 in theyear 2006. Loss of lives due to flood and landslide is 114 which is about 87%of the total disaster of the year 2006.

In general, the loss of lives due to landslides and floods is moderate in2006 in comparison with other years. Death of people due to disasters likewindstorms, hailstorms and thunderbolts; and fire in the year 2006 is 18. Thisfigure represents about 13.2% of the total loss of lives and comparatively lower

than that of floods and landslides in the year 2006.Similarly the estimated total loss of property by all types of disaster in the

year 2006 is about Rs. 392.31 million. Among them the loss of propeerty dueto flood and landslide only is Rs. 288.63 million, which is higher than that ofthe year 2005. The water-induced disasters have played a vital role in the lossof lives and property of the country in 2006. Hence priority should be given forreducing the effect of water-induced disasters in the country. The table andcharts also provide a clear picture of life lost, people injured; number of familiesaffected; houses damaged and loss of property due to different disasters indifferent years since 1983.

Table 1.1: Summary and Comparison of the Disasters of 2005 with past Disasters

Year People LivestockLoss(Nos.)

HousesDestroyed(Nos.)

AffectedFamily(Nos.)

Land Affected(Ha.)

PublicInfrastructure

Estimated Loss(Million NRs.) RemarksDeath Injured

1983 579 NA 248 12 NA NA NA 2401984 941 NA 3547 10597 NA 1242 869 491985 1387 NA 3399 7166 NA 1355 436 231986 1512 NA 6566 3370 NA 1315 436 231987 881 162 1852 36220 97036 18858 421 20051988 1584 12538 2788 108801 70197 NA 4365 60991989 1716 3014 4240 7648 NA NA NA 41721990 913 196 867 6352 8462 1132 NA 1391991 971 43 642 5510 6426 283 39 431992 1318 17 1586 13997 11535 135 66 521993 1524 246 NA 21911 90911 NA NA 51891994 765 155 1329 3234 11701 392 NA 1841995 873 1937 2053 10275 134216 41867.26 NA 19331996 895 1527 2480 30014 58329 6063.4 NA 15791997 1160 1120 1191 4825 46054 6063.4 NA 4101998 1190 117 1179 15082 36987 326.89 NA 12301999 1466 146 650 4304 17842 182.4 NA 5092000 377 162 1017 6886 24900 888.9 NA 1141.52001 415 132 665 6103 15908 NA NA 526.552002 458 287 2126 19856 40935 10077.5 NA 525.562003 310 160 1125 6819 11730 2360 NA 989.932004 192 220 888 4818 16997 0 NA 341.092005 242 153 955 3169 4315 0 NA 387.212006 131 88 10098 3765 19023 3396.84 NA 392.31

YearPeople Livestock

Loss(Nos.)House

Destroyed(Nos.)Affected

Family(Nos.)Land Affected

(Ha.)Public

InfastructureEstimated Loss(Million NRs.) Remarks

Death Injured1983 293 NA 248 NA NA NA NA 2401984 363 NA 3114 7566 NA 1242 869 371985 420 NA 3058 4620 NA 1355 173 581986 315 NA 1886 3035 NA 1315 436 161987 391 162 1434 33721 96151 18858 421 20001988 342 197 873 2481 4197 NA NA 10871989 700 4 297 6203 NA NA NA 291990 307 26 314 3060 5165 1132 NA 441991 93 12 36 817 1621 283 25 211992 71 17 179 88 545 135 44 111993 1336 163 25425 17113 85254 5584 NA 49041994 49 34 284 569 3697 392 NA 591995 246 58 1535 5162 128540 41867.28 NA 14191996 262 73 1548 14037 36824 6093.4 NA 11861997 87 69 317 1017 5833 6093.4 NA 1041998 273 80 982 13990 33549 326.89 NA 9691999 209 92 309 2538 9768 182.4 NA 3652000 173 100 822 5417 15617 888.9 NA 9322001 196 88 377 3934 7901 NA NA 251.12002 441 265 2024 18181 39309 10077.5 NA 418.912003 232 76 865 3017 7167 NA NA 234.782004 131 24 495 3684 14238 321.82 NA 219.282005 141 31 360 1102 2088 - NA 130.562006 114 39 9980 3334 18385 3396.84 NA 288.63

Table 1.2: Flood, Landslide and Avalanches

Sourc

e:

Min

istr

y o

f H

om

e A

ffairs

Fig. 1: Total Loss of Lives Due to Different Disasters

Fig.1.1: All Types of Disasters Fig.1.2: Flood, Landslide and Avalanches

Fig. 2: Total Family Affected Due to Different Disasters


Fig. 3: Total Loss of Property Due to Different Disasters in Million Rupees



10

1. IntroductionNepal is a land locked nation between China andIndia extending from 26º22'N to 30º27'N latitude and80º41'E to 88º12'E longitude, covering an area of147181 Sq.km. Rugged topography, very high relief,variable climatic conditions, and complex geologicalstructures with active tectonic process and continuedseismic activities are the main physical features ofNepal. The elevation of the country rises from about60m A.M.S.L. in Terai (Jhapa) to 8848m A.M.S.L. atMt. Everest within a short horizontal distance of 90kmto 120km. Ecologically, the country is divided intofive-physiographic regions, comprising of i)Himalayas, ii) High Mountains, iii) Middle mountains,iv) Siwaliks, and iv) Terai. Politically, the country isdivided into 75 districts grouped into 14-zones and 5-development regions, and each district is sub-dividedinto Village Development Committees (VDCs) andMunicipalities, which are further Sub-divided intoWards.

Average annual precipitation of the country is about1600 mm, and the variation of the average annualprecipitation ranges from about 300 mm in dry rainshadow area to more than 5000 mm in wet region likeLumle of Kaski district. There are extremities oftemperature in the country; Himalayas have all theyear round temperature below freezing point, whereasat the southern part of the country in Terai the summertemperature soars above 40ºc.

The population of the country is above 23.5 millioncomprising of various ethnic groups with differentcultures and socio-economic conditions, withpopulation rate of growth of about 2.2 % per year.

2. Water Induced Disasters in NepalWater-induced disasters like landslides, debris flows,snow avalanches, glacier lake outburst floods (GLOF),slope failures occur in the hills, mountains, andHimalayas, and the floods and inundation hit thevalleys and Terai area of the country. Fragilegeological formations, deforestation, land-usechanges, unscientific agricultural practices, socio-economic changes like population growth, poverty,various developmental activities like roads, irrigation,hydropower, urbanization, heavy and continuousrainfall during monsoon have caused to water-induced disasters in the country.

Fatal casualities, injuries and missing of people,damages of houses, infrastructure, land andproperties, causing human sufferings and panic,poverty, disruption of socio-economic life, and overallenvironmental degradation in the country are theresult of these water-induced disasters in Nepal. TheDWIDP from its inception as the DPTC has beencollecting the water-induced disaster data andcompiled as its database. The data is documentedfrom the year 1983 to till 13 April 2007. The main

Water Induced Disaster in Nepal and Ranking of the AffectedDistricts in 2006

– Mr. Prakash Man ShresthaEngineer, DWIDP

– Mr. Lal Chand PradhanDeputy Director General,

Research, Training and Monitoring Division, DWIDP

ABSTRACT

The water-induced disaster in Nepal is the recurring phenomenon. It occurs mostly during the monsoon period.The Department of Water Induced Disaster Prevention is collecting and compiling water-induced disaster datafrom the very initial period of the DPTC (former Water Induced Disaster Prevention Technical Center) so as tomake a database of disasters occurred in the country. Although the Department is collecting and compiling thedisaster data from various sources like national newspaper, local survey, however, the main source for the datahas been the Ministry of Home Affairs (MOH). This paper intends to analyse the water-induced disaster situationand rank the affected districts for the year 2006.


11

source of the data is the MOHA because of it beingthe main authority for disaster management in thecountry. The data of disaster was formatted district-wise covering the variabilities like location (VDC/Wardlevel) of event, date of event, people-dead, missing,injured, affected family, animal loss, housesdestroyed, land loss, public property loss andestimated losses in rupees.

4. District-Wise Water-Induced Disaster Scenario of 2063 (2006/07)

The water-induced disaster scenario was assessed toidentify the most disaster affected districts in the year

Table 1: Region-wise Water-induced Disaster Scenario of 2063 (2006/07)

3. Region-wise Water-Induced Disaster Scenario of 2063 (2006/07)The water-induced disaster data presented here covers from the period 2063/01/01(14 April 2006) to 2063/12/30 (13April 2007). However, the disasters have occured during the monsoon period of 2063 (2006). The region-wise water-induced disaster scenario of the country of the year 2063 (2006/07) is presented as below:


12

Region No. ofEvents Death Missing Injured Affected

Family Animal Loss Comp. Partly ShedDestroyed

Agri. LandLoss (Ha)

EstimatedLosses (in Rs.) Remarks

Far-western 7 13 8 12 1243 0 41 125 0 53.4 77,691,400.00

Mid-western 7 17 0 12 14958 9889 2611 0 1299 1883.05 201,815,789.00

Western 16 55 11 13 2107 48 243 74 0 1454.56 8,240,783.00

Central 16 27 11 2 67 43 51 189 1 3 659,200.00

Eastern 2 3 0 0 10 0 0 0 0 0 150,000.00

Total 48 115 30 39 18385 9980 2946 388 1300 3394.01 288,557,172.00 Sour

ce: M

inisty

of H

ome

Affa

irs

Regionwise No. of Water-induced Disaster Events of the Year 2006

Regionwise No. of Death Causalities due to Water-induced Disaster in 2006

Regionwise Affected Family due to Water-induced Disaster in 2006

Agriculture Land Loss (Ha.) due to Water-induced Disaster in 2006

Estimated Loss (Rs.) due to Water-induced Disaster in 2006

2006/07 based on the data of the Ministry of HomeAffairs. The disaster-hit districts comprise of 25 districts inthe year 2006/07. The assessment is based on thefollowing disaster parameters.• Number of disaster events,• Number of death casualities, • Number of families affected,• Agriculture land loss (Ha.) and• Property loss (NRs.) The districts were ranked in descending order based oneach of the above mentioned disaster parameters, thedistrict having the highest figure is placed at the top and soon. The Rank Factor (R.F.) is calculated so as to give theweightage to the affected districts, and is computed asbelow:

where, R.F.= Rank factor of the district selected, N= No.ofdistricts selected, i = Rank number: 1,2,3,……...n . Thetop ten districts based on these parameters are rankedand shown in the Tables: 2 to 6.

P a r a m e t e r R e p e t e t i o nFrequency (PRF) is thenumber of repetetions ofthe disaster affecteddistricts occuring undervarious parameters indifferent tables. Thedistricts appearing higherin the tables wereweighed as moredisastrous affecteddistricts by water-induceddisaster. Sum Rank Factor(SRF) is the sum of theRank Factors of the district under different disasterparameters. The most disaster prone districts areassessed based on the PRF and SRF. The TotalDisaster Factor (TDF) is the sum-multiplication ofPRF and SRF. The district obtaining the highest TDFscore is considered as the most disaster affecteddistrict. The Table 7 shows the PRF, SRF and TDFand the rankings of the top twenty disaster affecteddistricts of the country.

Table 4: Top ten districts having highestimated loss in NRs.

Table 5: Top ten districts having highAgriculture Land Loss in Ha.

Table 6: Top ten districts having highdisaster events


13

District Region EstimatedLosses (in Rs.)

RankFactor

RankNo.

Banke Mid-western 200,524,127.00 1 1

Doti Far-western 51,646,400.00 0.9 2

Aachham Far-western 19,690,000.00 0.8 3

Kaski Western 7,100,000.00 0.7 4

Bajhang Far-western 5,655,000.00 0.6 5

Surkhet Mid-western 1,291,662.00 0.5 6

Baitadi Far-western 700,000.00 0.4 7

Nawalparasi Western 562,900.00 0.3 8

Gorakha Western 350,000.00 0.2 9

Sindhupalchok Central 208,000.00 0.1 10

District Region Agri. LandLoss (Ha)

RankFactor

RankNo.

Nawalparasi Western 1451.73 1 1

Banke Mid-western 1045.35 0.9 2

Bardiya Mid-western 750 0.8 3

Jajarkot Mid-western 85.7 0.7 4

Doti Far-western 52.65 0.6 5

Rasuwa Central 3 0.5 6

Arghakhanchi Western 2.83 0.4 7

Dolpa Mid-western 2 0.3 8

Baitadi Far-western 0.75 0.2 9

Aachham Far-western 0 0.1 10

District Region No. ofEvents

RankFactor

RankNo.

Gorakha Western 5 1 1

Sindhuli Central 3 0.9 2

Arghakhanchi Western 2 0.8 3

Baglung Western 2 0.7 4

Bajhang Far-western 2 0.6 5

Dolakha Central 2 0.5 6

Sarlahi Central 2 0.4 7

Sindhupalchok Central 2 0.3 8

Tanahu Western 2 0.2 9


Rank District Parameter RepetetionFactor (PRF)

Sum Rank Factor(SRF)

Total DisasterFactor (TDF)

1 Banke 4 3.4 7.4

2 Doti 3 2.1 5.1

3 Nawalparasi 3 2.1 5.1

4 Bajhang 3 1.7 4.7

5 Baitadi 3 1.4 4.4

6 Dolakha 3 1.2 4.2

7 Achham 3 0.9 3.9

8 Sindhupalchok 3 0.8 3.8

9 Kaski 2 1.7 3.7

10 Baglung 2 1.6 3.6

11 Arghakhanchi 2 1.2 3.2

12 Bardiya 2 1.2 3.2

13 Gorkha 2 1.2 3.2

14 Tanahu 2 0.5 2.5

15 Sindhuli 1 0.9 1.9

16 Bardiya 1 0.8 1.8

17 Jajarkot 1 0.7 1.7

18 Mustang 1 0.7 1.7

19 Rasuwa 1 0.5 1.5

20 Surkhet 1 0.5 1.5

21 Mahottari 1 0.4 1.4

22 Sarlahi 1 0.4 1.4

23 Dolpa 1 0.3 1.3

24 Chitwan 1 0.1 1.1

25 Dhankuta 1 0.1 1.1

Table 7: List of Ranked Districts based on Total Disaster Factor (TDF)

(N+ 1) – iNR.F. =

Table 2: Top ten districts having highdeath casualties

Table 3: Top ten districts having highaffected families

District Region Death RankFactor

RankNo.

Kaski Western 21 1 1

Baglung Western 12 0.9 2

Baitadi Far-western 10 0.8 3

Mustang Western 9 0.7 4

Banke Mid-western 7 0.6 5


Sindhupalchok Central 6 0.4 7

Tanahu Western 6 0.3 8

Bardiya Mid-western 5 0.2 9

Chitawan Central 4 0.1 10

District RegionAffected

Family

Rank

Factor

Rank

No.

Bardiya Mid-western 8287 1 1

Banke Mid-western 6664 0.9 2

Nawalparasi Western 2105 0.8 3


Doti Far-western 346 0.6 5

Bajhang Far-western 76 0.5 6

Mahottari Central 50 0.4 7

Bajura Far-western 25 0.3 8


Dhankuta Eastern 9 0.1 10


14

5. Event-wise Water-induced Disaster Scenario of 2063 (2006/07)

The event-wise water-induced disaster scenario ispresented based on:

• Number of death casualities,

• Number of families affected,

• Agriculture land loss (Ha.) and

• Property loss (NRs.) are presented below as follows:

6. ConclusionThe above analysis shows that among the 25districts listed as water-induced disaster affecteddistricts in the year 2006/07 from 2063/01/01(14

April 2006) to 2063/12/30 (13 April 2007), Banke,Doti, Nawalparasi, Bajhang, Baitadi, Dolakha,Achham, Sindhupalchowk, Kaski and Baglung fallunder the category of the most affected 10 districtsin the country. The present data could not be usedto classify separately for floods or landslides hitdistricts. However, for the assessment it has beenconsidered that the terai districts are more likely tobe affected by floods, and hill or mountain districtsare more likely to be affected by landslides or debrisflows. With such consideration, the terai districts:Banke, Nawalparasi are the most flood affecteddistricts, while Doti, Bajhang and Baitadi are themost landslide and debris flow affected districts inthe year 2006/07.

Event-wise, the water-induced disasters occurred at Dangsing VDC, Kaski (2063/03/30), and Dashrath-6,Tak at Baitadi (2063/05/06) claimed 21 and 10 livesin each of the events, and are the biggest events interms of death cuasalities in the year 2006/07. Theevent of 2063/11/05 occurred at Banke district is thebiggest flood event of the year 2006/07.

The biggest estimated loss in NRs. occurred in the year2006/07 at Banke. The events resulted an estimatedloss of NRs. 200,524,127.

Reference:1. Disaster Data (2063), Ministry of Home Affairs,Government of Nepal.

Table 9: Top ten disaster events having the highest affected families

District VDC/Municipality & WardNo Date Affected Family

Bardiya of 28 villages 5/11/2063 8287

Banke of 41 villages 5/11/2063 6664

Nawalparasi Diffenet Villages 5/9/2063 2105

Achham Different 13 Vilalges 5/11/2063 794

Doti 2063/05/ 346

Bajhang Bajh-8 1/23/2063 75

Mahottari 6/7/2063 50

Bajura Sampara-8 4/28/2063 25

Dolakha 4/28/2063 10

Dhankuta Dhankuta M.-7 2063/4, 5, 6 9

Table 8: Top ten disaster events having the highest death casualities

District VDC/Municipality &Ward No Date Death

Kaski Dangsing 3/30/2063 21

Baitadi Dashrath-6, Tak 5/6/2063 10

Mustang Lete-4 5/12/2063 9


Baglung Chour 1/23/2063 6

Baglung Adhikarichaur 8 1/23/2063 6

Tanahu Ranipokhari 2063/05 6

Bardiya of 28 villages 5/11/2063 5

Dolakha 4/28/2063 5

Chitawan 2063/05 4

Table 10: Top ten disaster events having the largest agricultureland loss in Ha.

District VDC/Municipality & WardNo Date Estimated Losses

(in Rs.)


Doti 2063/05/ 51646400

Achham Different 13 Vilalges 5/11/2063 19690000

Kaski Dangsing 3/30/2063 7100000

Bhajang Bajh-8 1/27/2063 5655000

Surkhet Maintada 5/11/2063 1291662

Baitadi Dashrath-6, Tak 5/6/2063 700000

Nawalparasi Diffenet Villages 5/9/2063 562900

Sindhupalchok Thokarapa 6/9/2063 208000

Sarlahi Khayarba-9 3/26/2063 200000


15

Nepal Red Cross Society came into existence in the form of anAd-hoc Committee formed on September 4, 1963. It wasrecognized by the ICRC on October 1, 1964 and got affiliatedto the International Federation of Red Cross and Red CrescentSocieties (then League of Red Cross Societies) on October 1,1964.

1. NRCS interventions in Disaster ManagementDisaster Management has become one of the core areas of theNepal Red Cross Society. NRCS has been focusing on disasterresponse and preparedness through the Disaster ManagementDepartment. It has been stressing on the capacity building fromcommunity to institutional level so as to better respond to thedisaster situation. By helping to build and strengthencommunity capacities on disaster management, the Societyaims at responding to the disaster at their own by makingmaximum mobilization of local resources.

Under the disaster management department, NRCS iseffectively implementing various programmes/activities inmajor four areas:

A. Disaster PreparednessB. Community Based Disaster preparednessC. Disaster Response D. Population movement

A. Disaster Preparedness

a) Warehouse Management: There are 27 warehouses (1Central, 4 Regional, 2 Zonal warehouses and 20 Depots)having the capacity for 30 thousand family packages relief

materials. These warehouses are located at different strategicpoints of the country.

b) Institutional Disaster Management/ Human ResourceDevelopment: Disaster Management committee / sub-committees are formed in all 75-district chapters of NRCS.There are more than 2500 trained human resources in disastermanagement. Disaster management department has beenconducting following training programmes time and often: i.e;advanced disaster management trainer's training, Disastermanagement trainer's training (TOT), Basic disastermanagement training, First aid training, Search and rescuetraining and Flood and fire fighting training etc. It has alreadydeveloped 56 NDRT members, more than 4,000 DM trainedpersons, about 5,000 first aid trained members in the past.More than 700 disaster responders are available in 37 districtsout of 75. In addition volunteers and staff of NRCS have alsoattended various trainings such as Regional Disaster ResponseTraining (RDRT) organized by the Federation, Medical FirstResponder Training (MFR) and Collapsed structure Search andRescue Training (CSSR) organized by PEER Programme.Altogether 22 members are trained on RDRT, 12 are trained onMFR and 7 are trained on CSSR trainings in NRCS.

c) Publication of Information Education & Communication (IEC)materials: To raise the awareness on disaster managementNRCS has published several manuals and IEC materials: (i.)Disaster Management Manual, (ii.) Disaster Management EasyHandbook ( iii.) Community Based Disaster PreparednessHand book, (iv.) How to be safe from Flood pictorial manual,(v. ) How to be safe from Fire pictorial manual, (vi.) How to besafe from Earthquake pictorial manual, (vii) How to be safefrom epidemics and other materials. The materials have beendistributed to all district chapters and to the CBDP programme-implemented communities.

d) Emergency Disaster Relief Fund: The Society has established aDisaster Relief Emergency Fund (Princep Disaster Relief Fund).Total amount in the Fund at the moment is nearly 20 millionNepalese Rupees (US $ 300,000 approx). The Society hasdeveloped a policy for management of this fund and as per thepolicy only 70% of the interest amount of this fund will be used insupply/procurement of relief materials. Besides this the Society hasbeen coordinating with internal and external stakeholdersincluding the Federation and PNS's in resource management.

e) Disaster Management Center: The DM center has beenestablished at the Disaster Management Department. This

Nepal Red Cross Society inDisaster Management

– Mr. Sher Bahadur KarkiDisaster Preparedness officer, NRCS

– Sanjeev Kumar KafleyDirector, Disaster Management Department, NRCS

ABSTRACT

Nepal Red Cross Society is involving in all domains of the disaster management in Nepal. The present paper presents theactivities of the NRCS in disaster management in Nepal.


16

center is equipped with the communication and informationmeans and basic search and rescue materials. The centerwould have specific role to coordinate the national as well asinternational level disaster response missions. The NRCS isintending to add some high frequency Radio phones in order tomake the emergency communication in time of disaster. TheRadio phones are especially targeting for the Kathmandu valleyearthquake preparedness, which will be extended to thenational level. The resources are pulled out from the differentPNS and other donor agencies to establish the DM-Center.

f) Data base/GIS: NRCS is in process to update hazards basedata as well as other important information of all 75 districts.At the moment, NRCS has soft copy of all 75 districts map anddata update process is in progress. A separate staff is deployedfor these activities. NRCS is updating trained human resourceof NRCS in DM field.

g) Contingency plan: NRCS has earthquake focusedcontingency plan. This is very comprehensive contingency planand in current shape from the support of Federation. This isfinal shape and yet to check its effectiveness. We are planningto conduct desk top simulation in NHQ later it will roll outdown to districts level gradually. This plan intends to provideresponse and relief in case of such disasters in the valley.

NRCS has implemented different kind of disaster preparednessactivities from the support of different partners in past focusingvery vulnerable location from flood and landslide sites.

B. Community Based Disaster Preparedness

NRCS started this programme in 1997 and since then it isexpanding every year. The main objective of this programme isto enhance the capacity of vulnerable communities in order toreduce losses of lives and properties caused by disasters. TheCBDP programme is one of the effective and priorityprogrammes of NRCS. Formation of community level DMcommittee, organization of DM and First Aid trainingprogrammes, implementation of low-cost mitigation activities,development of community's DP plan, establishment of earlywarning system, organization of simulation exercises, storing offood grains and creation of emergency funds etc. are the keyactivities under this initiative.

NRCS has given emphasis on increasing communities'

preparedness so as to respond to the disaster situation at theirown. Till the year 2006, CBDP programme has reached morethan 452 communities in 37 districts. At present theprogramme is running in 221 communities, while it has phasedout in 231 communities. The communities where theprogramme has phased out have still sustained the programmeby their own involvement.

CBDP programme implemented communities have carried outremarkable mitigation activities. Most of the communities haveconstructed flood retaining wall, gabion box wall, maintainedschool buildings, renovated wells for clean drinking water, andplanted trees in disaster prone areas. Communities have also beenable to provide relief packages to the disaster affected families bymobilizing their own resources during disaster. Programmeimplemented communities are found to be very effective inmitigating the effects of disasters. Community people also haveformed disaster response mechanism at local level. Till the period,programme implemented communities have collected NRs. 23, 92,000.00 as a revolving fund.

Current CBDP project and partnersS.N Partner Agencies Sector of Interventions/Activities

1 Finnish Red Cross

From the support of Finnish Red Cross, NRCS startedSchool Based DP programme in 40 different schools in 3districts. The first phase of finish support ended by 2006(Euro 50.000 in each year).The project has been expanded to the 3 old Districts(Bhaktapur, Saynga and Chitwan) and one New District;Palpa from the Beginning of 2007 and will end up by the2009 covering 40 new schools. The total amount of thisproject is (EURO approximated 140,000 per year)

3 DFID and BritishRed Cross

DFID has been providing financial support to NRCS toimplement CBDP programme since 2002. In addition tothis, DFID and British Red Cross has funded for thecommunity based risk reduction programme for 2006 to2008, covering 3 different districts (Ilam, Panchthar andSaptari)

4 New Zealand RedCross

NRCS has implemented CBDP programme in 40 differentcommunities in 4 districts (Rupendhai, Lamjung, Nuwakotand Mahottari) from the support of New Zealand RedCross from 2003 to 2005.

New fund has been approved by the NRC to implement theCBDP programme at the same district; covering 12 newcommunities. This programme will start from the beginningof January, 2006 and run until end of December, 2006


17

C. Disaster Response

Relief: NRCS has been rendering relief services to the victims atall types of disasters since it inception. From its nationwidenetwork, NRCS has been able to respond to any type of disasterimmediately. The early monsoon and heavy rains as well as fireare the major disaster that NRCS has been involving for reliefdistribution. Besides of that NRCS was the major implementingpartners of UNHCR and WFP for Bhutanese refugee reliefprogrammes to distribute food and nonfood items to more than100,000 refugees in more than 10 years. NRCS always try tomaintain a stock of relief materials (family packs of non-fooditems) adequate for 30,000 families in its warehouses locatedin different strategic locations throughout the country.

Restoring Family links: Tracing service has become one of themajor activities of the Society in the present context. The Societyhas provided the tracing service to needy people, who aremissing and detained at different detention centers. It has beenproviding Restoring Family Links services by exchanging RedCross Messages between detainees and their family membersthrough nationwide RCM network.

D. Population Movement

Refuge Assistance Programme: NRCS continues life skillsdevelopment training activities, RFL service and disasterresponse services to the Bhutanese refugees through therefugee assistance programme after taking out its involvementfrom entire food and nonfood distribution. The life skillsdevelopment-training programme is supported by theNetherlands Red Cross through the Federation. Several trainingopportunities like; advance computer training, stitching andcutting, hair cutting are being provided to the refugee andpeople of host society.

NFI item support: NFI items have been distributed to conflictaffected from the support of ICRC. These relief materials have

been distributed mainly in mid western and far western regions,whereas in other districts relief materials have also beendistributed on an ad hoc basis with the support of ICRC.

2. OthersCoordination and networking: NRCS has developed a goodco-ordination with GOs and INGOs in the field of disastermanagement. NRCS represents as an ex-officio member in theCentral and the District Level Disaster Relief Committee formedunder Ministry of Home Affairs and District AdministrationOffices. A network of GOs/NGOS involved in disastermanagement has also been formed and is known as DisasterPreparedness Network (DP-Net) and more than 28organizations are representing it. NRCS is the chairorganizations and holds the role of the secretariat. DP-Net is aforum for knowledge sharing amongst its members, bettercoordination and collaboration, avoiding duplication and foradvocacy/ awareness rise.

Conflict Preparedness and Response (CPR): NRCS has beenorganizing conflict preparedness, response and safer accessworkshop for district chapters on regional basis with the supportfrom the ICRC. The main objective of the programme is toconduct such types of workshop is to address the issues ofconflict of any kind, to strengthen institutional capacity of NRCSand to provide humanitarian service to needy people. This yearNRCS has conducted three regional workshops, where morethan 100 volunteers from the different district chapterparticipated. Similarly NRCS has organized two number ofsafer access workshop to its staff and volunteers, in which 50person participated.

Reconstruction and Rehabilitation programme: NRCS has beencarrying out disaster management activities includingrehabilitation and reconstruction programmes after majordisasters. In the past, NRCS conducted rehabilitation andreconstruction programmes as per the needs and availability ofresources in past. Rehabilitation and reconstruction afterEarthquake-1988 and Flood and landslide-1993 was theexamples of same. Similarly, NRCS has been taking up floodresponse activities and has started to construct more than 200houses to rehabilitate the flood victims in this year from thesupport of IFRC. NRCS distributed 1800 construction supplieskits to 2004 flood and landslide victims to repair their houses.

S.N Partner Agencies Sector of Interventions/Activities

5 Hong Kong RedCross

Hong Kong Red Cross has provided financial support toimplement the CBDP programme in 15 different communitiesin 3 different districts (Kaski, Kailali and Sarlahi) from 2003to August 2005. New project proposal has been submitted tothe HKRC to implement the CBDP programme covering thesame District, which is expected to launch by the end ofMarch, 2006

6 Belgium RC/ DanishRC/DIPECHO

NRCS has been implementing Community based disastermanagement programme from the support of DIPECHO.This programme targeted to minimize the earthquake risk of3 Kathmandu valleys by enhancing the capacity of 10earthquake vulnerable wards and 25 flood pronecommunities of three Districts (Kapilbastu, Morang andBardiya). This programme will completed by the end of June,2007

7 Save the ChildrenUS

Save the Children has been supporting to implement theDisaster Preparedness and Response programme from2006 to 2007. This programme is more focused on responseactivity and preparedness initiative is integral part of thisprogramme. Total 25 District benefited through thisprogramme. This programme is supposed to continue till2008.

8. OXFAM-GB NepalThe OXFAM GB has been assisting to implement the CBDPprogramme in the Rauthat District with 20 communities asthe follow up part of the LWF supported CBDP.

Flood damage the bridge


18

Related policies and procedure documents: NRCS has ownpolicy and procedural documents to implement different DMprogrammes. This includes DM policy, warehousemanagement policy and procedural guidelines, CBDP policyand implementation guidelines, Population movement policy,Relief distribution and relief management guidelines anddifferent training curriculum as well as training materials tomaintain quality.

3. NRCS's Response in 2006Nepal Red Cross Society plays a leading role in 2006 floodand landslide. The floods engulfed thousands of hectares offarmland in Banke and Bardiya in 2006. The localcommunities, who rely on these crops for a living, foundthemselves with little or no subsistence. Most of the peopleaffected by the floods in Banke and Bardiya do not hadlandowners' certificates and had been occupying the land foryears without formal registration. Poverty is the main reason forthe flimsiness of the houses, but the uncertainty of theirownership is another reason for their condition. Even if theowners were aware of impending disasters, they would not beable to afford to take preventive measures. The floods andlandslides claimed the lives of 45 people across 16 districts.Thousands had been displaced. The impact of the disasterscaused to suffer the people in the area, primarily because ofmalnutrition and the shortage of food in the months to come.

For instance in the aftermath of the floods and landslides, casesof influenza, eye infections and cholera were reported.Children, the elderly, expectant and new mothers were moreseverely affected. Of the 28 affected districts, Banke, Bardiya,Achham and Nawalparasi were the worst affected and this iswhere the Nepal Red Cross Society focused its activities. TheRed Cross carried out needs assessment, relief distributions indifferent phases and psychological support. A group of aidagencies –including the UN, WFP and Save the Children, USA,Oxfam GB Nepal, among many others scaled up the reliefeffort by visiting the affected areas, along with two medicaldoctors and the eye technician from the Nepal Red CrossSociety. A special support to 700 pregnant women andpostnatal mothers was also provided, together with medicines,mosquito nets and water purifiers. For the support of thepeople affected by floods and landslides, Nepal Red CrossSociety obtained cash 2,000,000.00 rupees, and food andnon food items from a number of organizations. For providingtimely support to the affected people, Nepal Red Cross Societyhad deployed its trained NDRTs and RDRTs. Every yearthousands of homeless families obtain food and non food itemsfrom the Nepal Red Cross Society.

The below matrix shown the detail situation offlood/landslide/fire in 2006.

Covering from Aug 2006 to April 2007

Source: Received report from NRCS district chapter

Nepal Red Cross Society

Chairman Mr. Sanjeev ThapaSecretary General Mr. D. R. DhakhwaExecutive Director- NRCS Mr. Sanjeev Kumar Kafley

Contact Address:Nepal Red Cross SocietyNational HeadquartersKalimati, Kathmandu

Phone No: 4273734/4270650 Fax: 4284611/4271915

Post Box No: 217 Email: [email protected]/[email protected]

Website: http/www.nrcs.org

S.N. DisasterType Dead Missing Injured Affected

FamilyAffected

PopulationEstimatedloss(NRs)

Reliefmaterials

provided byNhqs only

01. Flood 35 67 13 15,888 95328 98,339,562 2436

02. Landslide 54 3 39 1939 11,634 50,432,188 599

03. Fire 2 - 5 1234 7,404 134,054,031 1185

Total 91 70 57 19,061 114,366 282,825,781 4,220

Dispatch relief materials to conflict affected people in Bardiya

Distributing relief materials to conflict affected people


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INTRODUCTIONRainfall plays a vital role in the proper management ofagriculture and water resources of Nepal. Deficit in rainfall canseverely reduce the agricultural production leading to the foodinsecurity and famine in severe case in many parts of thecountry and create shortage of water in rivers and reservoirswhich can aggravate the existing drinking water and electricityproblem. Similarly, excess rainfall can destroy the agriculturalproduction and increase the incidence of floods and landslides.Therefore a small discrepancy in rainfall can have a significantimpact on socioeconomic conditions of the country. Monsoonwas weak and post-monsoon and winter rainfall were belownormal over the entire country in the year 2006. The year2006 was one of the driest years. This paper discusses theseasonal and annual rainfall distribution over Nepal in 2006.

DATA USEDTotal seasonal rainfall data from 35 to 43 stations were usedfor the analysis. Some stations had irregular data during theyear and were not used for the annual weather analysis.Percentage of rainfall compared to the normal value wascalculated to study the excess or deficit of rainfall.

SEASONAL RAINFALL DISTRIBUTION

Winter season (December 2005 – February 2006)

This winter recorded very little or no rainfall at all sinceNovember 2005 in most parts of the country. Only lightprecipitation was observed in the far and mid-western regionsin December and traces in few other stations in February.Winter precipitation in Nepal, though less in amount, is verycrucial for the winter crops. Winter is generally drier comparedto monsoon and pre-monsoon seasons. But this year’s winterwas peculiar for the two reasons. Firstly, it has longer dry spell(with 0 mm of rain). Secondly this dry spell has extended tolarger extent.

The data from 40 stations over the country showed that theentire country had recorded below normal rainfall in this winter.

In all these stations winter rainfall was less than 30% of normal(Table 2). 15 of the stations recorded no rainfall at all. Therewas no such winter dry spell extending over such a large areain the recorded history. Moreover, out of 40 stations, 16stations broke the past record of the lowest rainfall in this winter(Table 2). Almost entire eastern, central and western regionswere dry (with 0 mm of rainfall) and in the mid and far-westernregions rainfall was less than 40 mm (Figure 1a). There wassevere deficit of rainfall below 5% of the normal in most of theeastern, central and western regions and east, south-easternparts of mid-western region (Figure 1b).Western disturbance is the main rain bearing weather system in

winter which is brought by the upper air westerly troughs (lowpressure areas). Sometimes low pressure systems

THE YEAR 2006, A DRY YEAR

Saraju K. BaidyaSenior Divisional Meteorologist Departmentof Hydrology and Meteorology

Archana ShresthaMeteorologist Department of Hydrology and

Meteorology

Figure 1a: Winter rainfall (mm)

ABSTRACT

Monsoon rain is the major factor contributing to water induced disaster in nepal. This psper presents an overview of therainfall pattern of the year 2006 in Nepal.

Figure 1b: Winter rainfall as percentage ofnormal (Shaded area above normal)


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(LPS)/depressions formed over southern parts of Bay of Bengal(BoB) and Arabian Sea intensify the western disturbancesproducing rainfall activity in Nepal. This year LPS formed overBoB were feeble and the western disturbances moved north-eastward towards Tibet just touching northwestern part ofNepal as in Figure 2 (the gray patches over Gangetic plain inthe figure is fog). These are the main causes for no raincondition in winter this year. Whatever may be the reasons; thiswinter dry spell brought a lot of hardship to the Public. This dryspell affected farmers by damaging their winter crops and theurban population by creating drinking water scarcity.

Table 1: Winter rainfall (mm) over Kathmandu

Longest Dry Winter in Kathmandu Valley

Though Kathmanduites were happy with mild winter havingmore sunny days, they had to face water scarcity for daily useand heavy load-shedding (in the electricity) due to this long dryspell in the Valley as well as in the country. This is the first timethat Kathmandu recorded 0 mm winter rainfall. Normally,Kathmandu used to have one rainfall spell in December andtwo spells each in January and February. However, maximumof three spells in December and four spells each in January andFebruary occurred in the past. This time the Valley did notexperience a drop of rain since November 2005. This is thelongest dry spell in Kathmandu ever recorded in winter.Similarly, this February marked the warmest February inrecorded history. Rainfall recorded in Kathmandu is given inTable 1.

Pre-monsoon season (March – May)

The first rain of 2006 occurred in the second week of March,after a long dry period in most parts of the country sinceNovember 2005. This spell of rain brought some relief from thedrought condition to the general public. Pre-monsoon of thisyear was very active with a series of western disturbances andupper air cyclonic circulations prevailing over northern India.Rainfall varied from about 71 mm in Nepalgunj to over 700mm in Pokhara region (Figure 3a). Rainfall was in excess (over100%) in almost the entire country (Figure 3b).

Monsoon season (June – September)

Monsoon is the main rainy season contributing about 80percent of the total annual rainfall in the country. For anagrarian country like Nepal, summer monsoon is of utmostimportance as, with limited irrigation facilities, the agriculturalproduction depends heavily on monsoon and its spatial andtemporal distribution. Monsoon rainfall sustains the flow in therivers, fills reservoirs for power generation and irrigation andrecharges the aquifers. Water related disasters like floods andlandslides are common during the summer monsoon season.

Monsoon this year set in Nepal on 1st June, 9 days aheadof the normal onset day of 10 June. However, the overallmonsoon was weak. Large parts of the country remained dryin June. In July, mid and far-western regions received abovenormal rainfall while the rest of the country received belownormal rainfall, resulting in floods and landslides in thewestern half of the country and drought like condition in theeastern half. August remained mostly dry with major portionof the country receiving less than 80% of the normal rainfall.Nine districts in the Terai region were declared as dryregions. However, the heavy downpour in the last week dueto the northward shift of the monsoon trough close to the

Figure 2: Cloud passing the northwestern parts of Nepal. 16 January2006, (1145 NST)

Source: Dundee Satellite Receiving Station

Dec (Previous year) Jan Feb Winter (Dec-Feb)

Normal 15.1 13.7 17.5 46.3

Year 2006 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Figure 3b: Pre-monsoon rainfall aspercentage of normal (Shaded area above

normal)

Figure 3a: Pre-monsoon rainfall (mm)


21

foothills of the Himalayas created havoc resulting in floodsand landslides mainly in the mid-western region. Nepalgunj

recorded 336.9 mm of rainfall on 27th August, which wasthe highest 24 hr. rainfall ever recorded in the recordedhistory of Nepalgunj. On the contrary, in September, thewestern regions suffered from drought like condition whereas the eastern half of the country received heavy rainfallcausing floods and landslides. In the last week ofSeptember, a tragic helicopter accident occurred inTaplejung, eastern Nepal. State Minister for Forest and SoilConservation along with 22 other national and internationalconservation experts lost their lives in this incident.

This year’s total monsoon rainfall distribution is presented inFig. 4a. High rainfall amount was recorded in Kaski Districtas usual. Rainfall varied from below 200 mm in Jomsom toabove 3000 mm in Lumle (Figure 4a). Normal to slightlyabove normal rainfall was recorded only in the northernparts of the eastern, mid-western and western hilly regions(Fig. 4b). Most parts of the country recorded below normalrain.

Post-monsoon season (October – November)

This year’s monsoon retreated on 9th October delaying by

16 days from its normal withdrawal date of 23rd September.Post-monsoon is generally the driest season. This year alsothe country remained dry. Under the influence of westerndisturbances some amount of rainfall, mostly concentratedin Kaski district was recorded, as usual with more than 275mm of rainfall in Pokhara (Figure 5a). Almost the entirecountry recorded below normal rainfall with large portion ofthe country recording below 50% and even no rainfall at all(Figure 5b).

Annual rainfallAnnual rainfall distribution (Figure 6a) shows the similar patternto that of monsoon season. Rainfall varied from less than 300mm over Jomsom area to more than 4000 mm over Lumlearea. Almost the entire country received below normal rainfall(Figure 6b). Small spots north of the eastern and westernregion however recorded normal to slightly above normalrainfall. Overall the country remained dry this year.

Annual and Seasonal rainfall data are presented in Table 2.

Figure 4a: Monsoon rainfall (mm)

Figure 5a: Post-monsoon rainfall (mm)

Figure 6a: Annual rainfall (mm)

Figure 6b: Annual rainfall as percentage ofnormal (Shaded area above normal)

Figure 5b: Post-monsoon rainfall as percentageof normal (Shaded area above normal)

Figure 4b: Monsoon rainfall as percentageof normal (Shaded area above normal)

Table 2: Annual and seasonal rainfall (mm) in 2006


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Stations

Annual Winter Pre-monsoon (Mar-may) Monsoon (Jun-Sep) Post-Monsoon (Oct-Nov)

TotalPercentageof annual

normal

Lowestrecord

(Dec 2005-Feb 2006)Total

Percentageof pre

monsoonnormal

TotalPercentageof monsoon

normalTotal

Percentageof post-

monsoonnormal

TotalPercentage

of winternormal

Dadeldhura 923.2 66.7 29.2 30.8 23.4 183.8 91.6 694.1 69.1 28.9 60.3

Sundarpur X X 1 4.7 5.9 162.6 190.9 733 45.4 X X

Darchula X X 52.6 41 28.1 171.2 71.3 X X X X

Dhangadhi 1446.1 80.2 0 19.7 28.8 183.4 166.9 1229.3 78.7 21.8 41.6

Dipayal 865.4 75.6 43.6 13.1 10.7 226.7 131.5 605.6 75.5 19.5 41

Jumla 741.9 88.8 13.4 12.9 14.6 138 85.1 559.5 102.8 30.4 61.9

Surkhet 1481.5 92.1 3.8 6.4 6.7 210 150.9 1214.9 92.6 19.9 36.1

Knsum 1333.5 98.1 0.7 0 0 231 189 1086.4 96.5 1.6 2.5

Nepalgunj 1462.7 97.3 6.9 0.5 1.4 71.4 65.5 1366.4 106.5 9.4 9.4

Dang 1258.6 78.6 9.7 0 0 192.8 151.6 1046.2 78 0 0

Jomsom 302.5 119.5 0 0 0 128.6 218.6 166.5 123 7.4 18.9

Tansen X X 0 0 0 242 185.6 X X 0 0

Bbairahawa 1218.2 72.8 2.1 0 0 178.1 168.6 966 66.9 50.5 64.7

Dumkauli 2119.9 93.8 2 0 0 580.2 240.9 1452.1 76.1 67.4 75.5

Tamghas 1417.6 72.2 6.4 0 0 243.5 112.6 1151.1 72.6 5 7.4

Simari X X 0 X X 340.5 219.6 X X X X

Khudibazar 2892.9 85.9 4 5.7 6 505.8 127.8 2292.2 83.4 59.1 48

Pokhara 2970.7 75.2 10.8 5.3 6.7 712.2 129.4 1957 62.6 279.1 142.9

Syangja 2548.7 87.9 8.7 0 0 620.8 148.2 1772.9 77.7 133.1 115.3

Gorkha 1112.9 62.3 1.1 X X 214.2 70.1 865.6 64 4.6 7.2

Lumle 4178 77.9 26.1 16.4 16.3 578.8 120.1 3409.5 75.1 141.1 59.6

Khairanitar 2262.3 96 4.7 0 0 718.2 154.8 1387 81.2 154.2 170.6

Chame 947.2 102.9 21.3 0 0 168 91.5 779.2 135.3 0 0

Rampur 1997.2 100.1 0.4 0.1 0.2 408.6 184.8 1506.8 92.2 62.7 68.1

Hetauda 2114.1 90.8 0 0.2 0.4 367.6 142.2 1659.6 86.6 64.9 62.8

Simara 1858 102.3 1.4 2 4.8 269.3 139.2 1502.3 100.9 72 87.2

Nijgadh X 0 0 X X X X X X X X

Nuwakot 1254.5 62.9 0 0 0 291.5 139.5 942.3 57.5 0 0

Kathmandu 1372.8 95.4 7.8 0 0 291.5 143.4 1018.3 90.5 45.5 70.5

Nagarkot X X 0 0 0 278.8 124.7 X X 76.1 88.7

Jiri 1946.2 87.2 1.8 14.4 27.7 286.7 93.1 1623.2 89.4 27.6 30.5

Sindhuligadhi 2304.1 81.1 0 0 0 346.7 94 1793.3 80.3 151.6 86.3

Janakpur X X 0 0 0 213 141.6 1121.6 98.6 X X

Okhaldhunga 1657.9 94.5 0 0 0 338.4 145 1300.6 92.8 9.3 11.3

Rajbiraj 1146.8 77.2 0 0 0 170.8 108.7 927 75.3 44.2 63.6

Chaipur 1448.8 102 0 0 0 364.4 109 1044.3 106.3 29.5 36.1

Dhankuta 907.3 91.1 0 0 0 238.9 130.8 634.1 87.8 26.9 41.5

Dharan X 0 0 0 0 X X X X X X

Chatara 1895.9 89.1 0 0 0 278.8 114.5 1465.3 86.5 142.7 89.5

Biratnagar 1234.4 65.6 0 0 0 272.2 119.6 853 56 106.6 107

Taplejung 2118.7 105.5 5.1 7.5 13.4 354.7 79.3 1652.4 117.9 88.7 83.9

Illam 1119.8 65.2 0 1.2 3.2 255.2 112.3 830.5 60.6 18.3 23.4

Kankai 1833.3 64.3 0 2.9 7.4 345.9 110.9 1334.4 55.8 147.3 91.4

Remarks: * 100% = norm: × = data not available.


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1. Introduction

Occurrences of different types of natural disasters in Nepal aredue to rugged and steep topography, extreme weather events,and fragile geological conditions. Nepal’s vulnerability todisasters is compounded by rapid population growth, anddevelopment of haphazard and unplanned settlements. Therural houses are almost entirely non-engineered and very weak,and majority of them are highly vulnerable to disasters such asearthquakes, landslides, and floods. There is no land use policyenforced in Nepal and settlements are allowed to develop evenin the most vulnerable sites. The settlements are growing evenon the river beds and flood plains. The urban settlements tooare highly vulnerable to disasters due to their locations andimproper construction practices. Building code has beenimplemented recently only in limited municipalities but themechanism of enforcement of the building code still remainsvery weak.

Disasters in Nepal pose a growing threat to developingeconomies, both in terms of their frequency and of thedamages associated with them. Vulnerability due to disastersis enhanced by weak socioeconomic standing and limitedresources. Unstable social and economic conditions haveoften driven spatial development patterns which usually leadto greater vulnerability. A significant proportion of GrossDomestic Product (GDP) is lost every year due to naturaldisasters. Great losses of human lives and economicimpacts have caused due to destruction and damage ofinfrastructures and other development projects areenormous which has caused direct negative impact onplanned development budget. The evident of the disasterimpacts have clarified that the characteristics of naturaldisasters often shape the various patterns of developmentprocess.

2. Characteristics of Disaster

A wide range of physiographical, geological, ecological,meteorological, and demographic factors contribute to thedisaster vulnerability in Nepal. The earthquakes of 1934,1980, 1988, the landslide and flood of July 1993, and therecent landslides of August 2002 and fire of 2002 were themost devastating natural disasters which not only caused heavylosses of human lives and physical assets but also adverselyaffected the development process of the country as a whole.Major concern is that the humanity has become morevulnerable to disaster. While it is rather impossible to controlnature, human activity, its impact on the development, and thesubsequent impact on vulnerability can be altered (Tianchi andBerhans 2002).

The characteristics of natural disasters in Nepal vary with differentialgeomorphic terrains (Thapa 2006). In the high mountains, largelandslides and mudflows are frequent. Quite often landslides sweepaway the whole village. The mudflows cover terraced land withboulders and debris damaging the standing crop and degrading theagriculture land. In the foothill and the floodplain, the rivers causedeposition of sediment damaging crops and land. River bank erosionand submergence are also a serious problem in Nepal. Integration ofspatial data for the characteristics of landslide hazard in the AgraKhola watershed, central Nepal has indicated that the slopegradient and geological variables are the most distinct pre-disposing factors for landslide events in the area (Fig. 1, 2). TheGIS-based analysis has shown that the predicted hazards arefound in a good agreement with the occurrence of pre-existinglandslides (Thapa and Esaki 2006). Therefore, the characteristicsof disaster events in Nepal are very important to understand thedisaster and development inter-linkage.

3. Impact of Disaster

Each year flood, landslide, fire, epidemic, avalanche and

CHARACTERISTICS OF NATURAL DISASTERS AND THEIRLINKAGE TO DEVELOPMENT IN NEPAL

Dr. Prem Bahadur ThapaAsst. Professor, Tribhuvan University, Nepal

ABSTRACT

Various types of natural disasters occur in Nepal and their characteristics vary with different geomorphic terrains i.e.spatially localized and disaster impacts are very important concern to development strategies. The disaster under theweak socio-economic conditions often drives spatial development patterns which contribute to overall increase indisaster vulnerability that ultimately slows the pace of development. During the years between 1986 and 2005, Nepallost an average of 938 lives and nearly 20 million US$ per year to natural disasters. In the same period, the averageannual loss from the disasters was 9.3% of the development expenditure and annual GDP loss to disasters was alsoat an unacceptable level.


24

various other natural and man made disasters cause thecasualty of thousands of humanlives and destruction of physicalassets worth hundreds of millions ofdollars. Landslides, debris flows,floods, and earthquakes alonecontribute the bulk of loss of livesand damages to property in Nepal.Although, the yearly trend showsups and downs, the last decadeshows a rising trend of loss of livesand damages to property due todisasters compared to the earlierones (Upreti 2005). Percentageloss of life due to various types ofdisasters in Nepal years 1986-2005 is shown in Figure 3.

In the past, a great many lives havebeen lost and economic impacts dueto destruction and damage ofinfrastructures and otherdevelopment projects are enormous.This has caused direct negative

impact on planned development budget of the country. Theultimate economic impact of a disaster depends upon thedisposition of the damaged assets. Some of these assets are notreplaced and so their loss causes a reduction in consumption (and,thus, a decrease in the quality of life) or a reduction in investment(and, a decrease in economic productivity).

3.1 Impact on Human Life and Infrastructure

The number of losses of human lives andrehabilitation/reconstruction cost of damaged and destroyedinfrastructures are the direct measure of disaster impact. It canbe seen that over the last 20 years in an average every year938 people lost their lives in Nepal. Due to landslides andfloods alone the number of loss of lives reached 304 per year.The district-wise distribution of total number of deaths of peoplebetween the years 1993-2005 is given in Figure 4. It is foundthat the losses of lives mostly were confined in the centraldevelopment regions and comparatively lower number of lifeloss was in the western parts of the country.

The extreme weather event of 19-21 July 1993 triggered a

Fig. 2: Spatial localization of slope failures due to rock dipping in the directionof slope face (dip-slope)

Fig. 3: Percentage loss of life due to various types of disasters in Nepal, years1986-2005 (Data source: MoHA 2004; DWIDP 2006)

Fig. 1: In certain range of slope gradient, failed slope is exceeding the not-failed slope

Fig. 4: Persons killed by natural disasters during the years 1993-2005 (Data source: MoHA and UNDP 1999; MoHA 2004; DWIDP 2006)


25

large number of landslides and debris flows in the AgraKhola watershed of central Nepal with 42 human casualtiesand 98 damaged houses (Thapa and Dhital 2000). The July1993 flood/landslide disaster was the second big naturaldisaster that Nepal faced after only five years of theoccurrence of 1988 eastern Nepal earthquake. During this1993 disaster, 500,000 people were affected, about 1,500people died, 60,000 hectares of land was damaged, andnumerous irrigation facilities, transportation systems, andother infrastructures were destroyed. Estimates place the lossfrom this single event at about 68 millions US$ (Chhetri andBhattarai 2001). The disaster of 1993 is a periodic extremeevent, and it is not so unlikely or uncommon.

3.2 Economic Impact

Disasters lead to enormous economic losses that bring bothimmediate as well as long term effects. Analyzing the economicimpact assessment in Nepal, the Ministry of Home Affairs(MoHA) compiles data only on the number of houses destroyedand loss of agriculture land by various types of disaster. Eventhese data do not specify the type of houses-whether they arepublic, private or school buildings. It is found that the respectivedepartments such as Roads, Irrigation, Housing and PhysicalPlanning, and Nepal Electricity Authority which have theresponsibilities of infrastructure construction, maintenance,reconstruction and rehabilitation also do not keep properrecord of damages and rehabilitation costs after damages bydisasters. It is very difficult to evaluate the actual annual lossdue to infrastructures damage or destruction by disasters. Thedata on economic loss due to different kind of disasters isprovided in Figure 5.

4. Disaster and Development

Exposure of Nepal to several kinds of natural disasters everyyear and meeting the development strategies is extremelychallenged by losses from different types of natural disasters. In

order to clarify the ways in which disaster and developmentinteract, it is helpful to distinguish between the economic andsocial elements of human development. These components areinterdependent and overlapping (UNDP 2004). Developmentprogram can increase or decrease the vulnerability. Disastermay setback development opportunities and disaster may alsoprovide development opportunities in different ways. Forinstance, the disaster events frequently observed in urban, rural,agriculture, industrial, etc. sectors could be said mainly theimproper planning while developing the projects.

There are 1.06 reported events of disasters per day in averagein Nepal causing the loss of lives and properties as well asdamaging development infrastructures (Pokharel 2006).Government of Nepal (GoN) is compelled to spend large

amount to recover such losses but little have been done toreduce the risk of it so far. Due to some of the worst disastersituations in Nepal, causing great loss of life and tremendousdamage to property, increasingly the links between disaster and

development strategies havebeen recognized. The need tomainstream disastermanagement and incorporateelements of risk reduction intodevelopment programmes isunder emphasis in the policyframework of the country.Because of these facts, disasterand development has nestedrelationship and pose a growingthreat to developing economies,both in terms of their equencyand of the damages associatedwith them.

Disaster risk is a challenge fordevelopment in Nepal. Repeatedoccurrence of disasters oftencauses devastating effects interms of human life andeconomic losses, and significantly

setting back the development efforts. In

Fig. 6: Losses from natural disasters as percentage of annual developmentexpenditure between 1986 and 2005 in Nepal (Data source: CBS Statistical

Year book 1995, 2006; Economic Survey of Nepal 1995, 2006)

Fig. 5: Economic loss by natural disasters during the years 1993-1994 & 2000-2005Data source: MoHA 2004; DWIDP 2006)


26

fact, the Government of Nepal (GoN) is highly dependent uponforeign aid and international lending institutions for publicworks and development projects. Between the years 1986 and2005, Nepal lost an average of 938 lives and nearly 20 millionUS$ per year to natural disasters. During the same period theaverage annual hazard loss was 9.3% of the average annualgovernment development expenditure (Fig. 6). The annualGDP loss due to disasters in Nepal is at an unacceptable level.For example the hazard loss in 1988 due to the eastern Nepalearthquake was 23.69 per cent of the GDP. Similarly, the nextlargest GDP loss due to disaster was 16.17% in 1993(landslide and flood of central Nepal). The dimensions of thelosses as evident from the analysis emphasize the point thatnatural disasters have caused the major setbacks todevelopment activities of Nepal. Given the high frequency withwhich one or the other part of the country suffers due todisasters, mitigating the impact of disasters must be an integralcomponent of the development planning (Upreti and Thapa2007). While the occurrences of natural hazards cannot becontrolled, development activities can be adjusted in such wayto reduce the incidence of disasters thereby saving lives,investment, and development gains in the long term.

5. Conclusion

The characteristics of natural disasters have played critical rolesin development process since the disaster occurrences arespatially localized due to varied topography and diversegeological conditions. Large natural disasters occur in thefrequent pace which cause loss of lives in hundreds andsometimes in thousands such as in 1988 (earthquake) and1993 (flood and landslides) disasters, and destroy and damageinfrastructure requiring rehabilitation work worth millions ofUS$. The scenario of the last few decades indicates thatdisasters have greatly slowed the pace of development ofNepal and draining out the scarce resources of the country. Theannual GDP loss by disasters in Nepal is at an unacceptablelevel. Therefore, the occurrences of natural hazards cannot becontrolled; development activities can be adjusted in such wayto reduce the incidences of the disasters by suitable attributingthe geophysical conditions of the country.

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• UNDP, 2004. Reducing disaster risk: A challenge fordevelopment, A Global Report, United NationsDevelopment Programme (UNDP), 146 p.

• Upreti, B. N., 2005. Causes and characteristics of naturalhazards in Nepal. In: Proceedings of the JICA RegionalSeminar on Natural Disaster Mitigation and Issues on theTechnology Transfer in South and Southeast Asia,Department of Geology, Tri-Chandra Campus, TribhuvanUniversity, Sp. Publ. No. 2, Kathmandu, Nepal, pp. 9-24.

• Upreti, B. N. and Thapa, P. B., 2007. Reducing DisasterRisk for Sustainable Development and Poverty Alleviation inNepal. The CD Proceedings of the International Conferenceon Emerging Issues on Research and Development,Kathmandu, Nepal.


27

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k|sf]k Joj:yfkgdf k"j{ k|sf]ksf] cj:yf, k|sf]ksf] cj:yf /k|sf]k kZrftsf] cj:yfsf] rqm (Cycle) /xg] ePtf klg xfnsf] sfg"gLPj+ ;+:yfut Joj:y k|sf]ksf] cj:yfdf vf]hL Pj+ p4f/ (Search and

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o;} ;Gbe{df k|sf]k Joj:yfkgsf] sfo{nfO{ k"j{ k|sf]k, k|sf]ksf]cj:yf / k|sf]k kZrftsf] cj:yfdf ljefhg u/L sfo{qmd agfO{sfof{Gjogdf Nofpg] p2]Zon] g]kfn ;/sf/n] ;+:yfut Pj+ gLltut;'wf/ sfo{ cGtu{t k|sf]k Joj:yfkg gLltsf] th'{df, k|sf]k Joj:yfkg/fli6«o /0fgLltsf] th'{df Pj+ b}jL k|sf]k P]g, @)#( nfO{ ;do;fk]Ifkl/dfh{g ug{ yfln;s]sf] 5 . k|sf]k x'g' k"j{ (Pre Disaster), k|sf]ksf]cj:yf (During Disaster) / k|sf]k kZrftsf] cj:yf (Post-Disaster) dfug'{kg]{ sfo{x¿, k"j{tof/L Pj+ hf]lvd Go"gLs/0f, vf]h tyf p4f/ Pj+/fxt ljt/0f / k'g:yf{kgf Pj+ k'glg{df{0fsf nflu sfo{qmd cGtu{t gLltPj+ sfg'gdf ;d–;fdlos ;'wf/, cfsl:ds lgoGq0f ;+rfng s]Gb|(Emergency Operation Center) sf] :yfkgf, hf]lvd gS;f+sg,;+s6fled'v If]qsf] klxrfg, k"j{ r]tfjgL k|0ffnLsf] Joj:yf, cUgL;+lxtfsf] th'{df, cfsl:ds sf]ifsf] Joj:yf u/L a;f]af;sf] Joj:yf ug]{h:tf dxTjk"0f{ sfo{qmdx¿ ;=rfng ug]{ k|ltj4tf hgfPsf] 5 .

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k|sf]ksf] 36gf x'gaf6 /f]Sg, 36gf 36L xfn]df To;af6 x'g]Ifltdf Go'gLs/0f ug{ vf]h tyf p4f/ sfo{nfO{ l56f]–5l/tf] / k|efjsf/LagfO{ hgwgsf] /Iff ug{, Pj+ k|sf]kaf6 kLl8t JolQm / kl/jf/x¿sf]Jojl:yt k'g:yf{kgfsf ;fy} Iflt ePsf ef}lts ;+/rgfx¿sf]k'glg{df{0faf6 k|sf]k Joj:yfkgdf of]ubfg k'Ug] ck]Iff ul/Psf] 5 . k|sf]khf]lvd Joj:yfkgsf lglDt ul/Psf oL k|of;x¿n] ;do ;fk]Ife"–d08nLo ;f]r / dfkb08 cg'¿k sfof{Gjog ug{ ;xof]u k'Ug] ljZjf;klg /flvPsf] 5 .

k|fs[lts k|sf]k Go'gLs/0fsf ;Gbe{df eP ul/Psf k|of;x¿

ly/axfb'/ lh=;L=pk;lrj, u[x dGqfno

;f/f+zg]kfn k|sf]ksf] b[li6sf]0fn] hf]lvddf /x]sf /fi6«x¿dWo] cu|k+lQmdf /xg'sf ;fy} e"–jgf}6 Pj+ df};dL sf/0fn] k|sf]k x'g ;Sg] clt;+efljt If]qsf] ?kdf ljZja}+ssf] ;g\ @))% sf] cWoog k|ltj]bgn] lrq0f u/]sf] 5 .


28

The World Disaster Report 2006 has adopted thedefinition of disasters of the Belgium-based Centrefor Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters(CRED), which defines a disaster as a "Situation orevent", which over-whelms local capacity,necessitating a request to national or internationallevel for assistance; an unforeseen and oftensudden event that causes great damage,destruction and human suffering. For disaster tobe entered into EM-DAT database, at least one ofthe criteria must be fulfilled:

• ten or more people reported killed

• 100 people reported affected

• declaration of a state of emergency

• call for international assistance

Characterized by unstable steep slopes, weak andfragile geological formations of young mountainsassociated with concentrated monsoon rainfall,the water-induced disasters of Nepal falls quitesignificantly under the above mentioned criteria.Every year low lying lands of Nepal like the terai,inner terai and valleys are inundated due to floodsduring the monsoon season, while the hill andmountain areas are affected by landslides anddebris flows. These phenomena cause loss of livesand properties and damage to infrastructures,there by disrupting to the social & economicdevelopment of the country.

Following table presents the comparitive review of thetotal number of people reported killed by water-induced disasters (Floods, avlanches and landslides) inNepal and the world water-induced disasters by year(1994 to 2005).

The percentage share of the number of people killed inNepal due to water-induced disasters seems rising inrecent years while comparing to the world water-induced disasters.

Table 2 shows that 49.64% of the people killed bywater-induced disasters falls in Asia only. Out of whichNepal has the share of 4.46%. In the global context,the people killed by these disaster in Nepal is 2.12% ofthe whole world.

Reference:1. World Disaster Report 2005.2. Disaster Data, Ministry of Home Affairs.

– Compiled by Mr. P.M.Shrestha

Engineer, DWIDP

Comparison of World Water-Induced Disasters and the Water-Induced Disasters of Nepal

Table1: Comparison of total number of people killed bywater induced disasters in Nepal and the world (1994 to 2005)

Table 2: Total number of people reported killed by water induceddisaster from 1995 to 2004 in Nepal, Asia & the World

Year Nepal World % of the World

1994 49 6683 0.73%

1995 246 9642 2.55%

1996 262 8438 3.10%

1997 87 7759 1.12%

1998 273 10676 2.56%

1999 209 34717 0.60%

2000 173 7429 2.33%

2001 196 5370 3.64%

2002 441 5503 8.01%

2003 232 4750 4.88%

2004 131 7314 1.79%

2005 141 6784 2.07%

Total 2440 115065 2.12%

Nepal 2391Asia 51022World 108382

Landslide affecting Krishnabhir, Prithivi Highway. Landslide at Ramechhap.

Bhotekoshi Hydropower Project site affectedby Tatopani landslide.

Debris flow at Newakhola Chhimkeswori VDC-2 Tanahu.

Landslide Model Site at 19+000 km Chainage along Ktm.-Trishuli. Petku landslide site Sindhupalchok.

Disaster Review 2006 Photo Album

Rill erosion at Syangja JagatraDevi VDC-7-4. Rescue operation of Ghormuma Landslide, Rasuwa.

Tatopani landslide at 110+oo chainage alongArniko Highway.

Disaster Review 2006 Photo Album

Water induced disaster due to debris flow. An example of human induced disaster.

Water induced disaster governed by the debris flow.

disaster review 2006 dwidp - reliefwebreliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/disaster...

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