About the event We are collaborating with the Nepal Red Cross Society (NRCS) to strengthen and localise flood early warning systems in select municipalities of Nepal’s Lumbini and Sudurpashchim provinces. We have signed a letter of intent with NRCS to pilot our SERVIR-HKH science applications for disaster preparedness, especially around floods and high-impact weather events. As part of this process, we are organising this training on using SERVIR-HKH science applications for disaster preparedness in Nepal. During the training, we will gather feedback on the science applications being developed. Objectives Strengthen partnerships with provincial and local governments to improve and localise flood early warning systems in the provinces Provide an introduction to SERVIR-HKH flood and weather forecasting applications Gather feedback on the applications for further customisation and enhancement Expected outcomes Upon completing the training, the participants will better understand SERVIR-HKH science applications and their use during disasters like floods, high-impact winds, lightning strikes, heavy rainfall, hail, and other weather events. We also expect the participants to be able to transfer the acquired knowledge to other users/partners as required. Expected participants Nominated disaster risk reduction focal persons and NRCS staff from 12 municipalities in Lumbini and Sudurpashchim provinces, along with participants from the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology (DHM), National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA), and Practical Action, are expected to join the training. Participation requisites Each participant should have a laptop with Windows 10 or higher operating system for the training. A good understanding of English is also required as all resource materials will be in the English medium. We will deliver most of the training lectures in Nepali but may need to use English for some specific terms. Resource persons Bikram Shakya, Geospatial Application Development Analyst, ICIMOD Manish Shrestha, Hydrologist, ICIMOD Utsav Maden, Knowledge Management and Communication Officer Presentations Background Effective disaster risk reduction and resilience strategies ensure that relevant actors can anticipate adverse events before they occur and take proactive actions to alleviate consequences. Recognising the need to enhance such capability in the region, our SERVIR-HKH Initiative collaborates with the SERVIR Applied Sciences Team to develop science applications that assist in forecasting high-impact weather events, flash floods, and riverine floods in river networks in the HKH region. These applications provide information that significantly improves current deterministic forecasting systems and is more reliable and actionable. These applications are maintained on an open-access web portal for public use and feedback, and we regularly engage relevant stakeholders in capacity development activities. We are working with NRCS on establishing a collaborative mechanism to leverage the strengths of both institutions and connect our satellite- and model-based forecasts with NRCS, which has a local presence and networks among vulnerable communities. NRCS could help disseminate the forecasts through its existing networks, using its local presence to reach vulnerable communities and ensure that they are aware of potential risks and can take appropriate actions. NRCS is implementing the STRONG programme on strengthening the capacity of the Government of Nepal and humanitarian stakeholders to implement forecast-based action and shock-responsive social protection in Bardiya, Kailali, and Kanchanpur districts. NRCS has built a replicable mechanism for anticipatory action based on on-ground experiences and field-tested evidence. This mechanism integrates anticipatory action and shock responsiveness to Nepal’s social security allowance programme. The two-year programme is a follow-on project to the Forecast-based Action and Shock Responsive Social Protection (FbA-SRSP) project supported financially by the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations, and technically supported by the Danish Red Cross, Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Centre, and Handicap International. Tentative agenda All timestamps are in Nepal Standard Time (NPT). Day 1: Monday, 17 April 2023 Time Activities Morning session 10:00–10:30 Registration – NRCS 10:30–11:00 Training overview and introduction of participants – Binod Lamichhane, NRCS 11:00–11:15 Opening remarks – NRCS 11:15–11:30 Introduction to SERVIR-HKH – Utsav Maden, ICIMOD 11:30–12:00 Flood management practices at the local level – NRCS 12:00–12:15 Group photo 12:15–13:30 Lunch Afternoon session 13:30–14:00 Introduction to floods in Nepal– Manish Shrestha, ICIMOD 14:00–15:00 Hands-on exercise: High-Impact Weather Assessment Toolkit (HIWAT) – Nepal – Manish Shrestha, ICIMOD 15:00–15:15 Break 15:15–16:30 Hands-on exercise: Flash Flood Prediction tool – Nepal – Manish Shrestha, ICIMOD Day 2: Tuesday, 18 April 2023 Time Activities Morning session 10:00–10:30 Reflections from the previous day – Binod Lamichhane, NRCS 10:30–11:00 Validation of HIWAT – Nepal and Flash Flood Prediction Tool – Nepal using a logbook – Manish Shrestha, ICIMOD 11:00–12:00 Introduction to the mobile app for weather forecasts – Bikram Shakya, ICIMOD 12:00–13:30 Lunch Afternoon session 13:30–15:00 Discussion and suggestions 15:00–15:30 Closing remark and vote of thanks – NRCS and ICIMOD Day 3: Wednesday, 19 April 2023 Field visits with NRCS to Barbardiya Municipality office and flood-affected areas Event photos