In a major step toward enhancing its climate resilience, Nepal has advanced its early warning systems through a series of workshops and collaborations under the Climate Risk and Early Warning Systems (CREWS) – Early Warnings for All (EW4All) Accelerator initiative. Partnering with the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology (DHM), and the Center for Applied Research and Development (CARD), Nepal is aligning itself with international standards like the Common Alerting Protocol (CAP) and piloting community-based flood management systems to reduce disaster risk across vulnerable regions.
Nepal adopts CAP for smarter, faster alerts
Held on April 24–25, the first workshop introduced over 35 stakeholders to the Common Alerting Protocol, a globally accepted format for sharing public warnings across all hazards. With rising incidents of floods, landslides, and droughts, the urgency to build an agile and uniform alert system has become a top priority.
Participants included experts from DHM, Nepal Red Cross, and disaster response entities. The workshop focused on training attendees in the structure and application of CAP, enabling them to generate timely and standardized alerts through multiple channels radio, SMS, mobile apps, and sirens. A representative from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) shared India’s experience as a regional leader in CAP implementation, helping Nepal chart its national action plan and draft standard operating procedures (SOPs) for alert dissemination.
Community-driven flood management piloted in two municipalities
On April 27, a follow-up workshop on Integrated and Community-Based Flood Management (ICBFM) gathered 25 government and community-level actors to design grassroots-level strategies. Given Nepal’s unique geography ranging from high mountains to low-lying plains tailored solutions are essential.
Through group discussions, participants explored existing flood mitigation efforts and assessed gaps. The session concluded with the selection of two municipalities to pilot new flood management models that are participatory, locally adapted, and supported by scientific forecasting. These pilots aim to empower local leaders, enhance response systems, and test scalable flood resilience frameworks.
End-to-end early warning system assessment underway
In a high-level meeting following the workshops, WMO and DHM finalized a comprehensive assessment matrix to evaluate Nepal’s existing end-to-end early warning systems (EWS). The matrix covers critical components like observation infrastructure, forecasting accuracy, communication reach, and response coordination.
This diagnostic tool identified technical and capacity gaps that will be addressed through a new Adaptation Fund project to be launched later this year. The project aims to institutionalize CAP systems and improve inter-agency coordination at all levels, from local municipalities to national authorities.
Aligning with global climate targets
Nepal’s initiatives are part of a broader international push to ensure universal access to early warnings by 2027, especially in Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS). As a mountainous LDC facing frequent hydro-climatic disasters, Nepal is a priority nation under the EW4All Accelerator.
By adopting CAP and embedding community-driven flood resilience, Nepal is not only protecting its own population but also contributing to global disaster risk reduction efforts. These actions reflect a commitment to climate adaptation, sustainable development, and saving lives through preparedness rather than response.
The road ahead: sustained support and system integration
WMO has assured continuous support to Nepal’s Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, with plans to fully operationalize CAP and link warning systems with global platforms like the Severe Weather Information Centre (SWIC). The emphasis now lies in training local staff, integrating new tools with mobile-based dissemination, and increasing community awareness.
With growing climate uncertainties and increasing frequency of extreme events, Nepal’s multi-stakeholder strategy offers a replicable model for other vulnerable nations. By marrying high-tech solutions with grassroots participation, the country is laying the foundation for resilient and inclusive disaster management.