Take Necessary Measures to Tackle Monsoon Havoc

The monsoon arrived in the country two weeks earlier than usual this year. The forecast of early and above-average rains must spur authorities to make early preparation to deal with any monsoon eventualities. The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology (DHM) confirmed its onset on May 29, with heavy rainfalls across Koshi Province and a rapid expansion across the nation. Various regions will receive above-average rainfalls as Karnali, Gandaki, and northern Lumbini will experience a 55 to 65 percent chance of heavier-than-normal rainfall, while Sudurpaschim, Bagmati, and Koshi provinces face slightly lower but significant risks. Madhesh will experience up to a 45 percent chance of heavier rain. The monsoon determines the fate of the country’s agriculture and often the safety of its people. The Monsoon Preparedness and Response National Action Plan, recently approved by the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Executive Committee, had predicted that around two million people across 457,000 households may be impacted this season. Landslides, flooding, and inundation are frequent disasters rather than isolated occurrences. Last year’s events serve as a painful reminder. Despite accurate rainfall forecasts, the authorities failed to act in time. As a result, the monsoon damaged infrastructure, displaced communities, and swept away public and private property worth over 46 billion rupees.

This year, efforts to reverse that pattern appear more coordinated. A network of 25 disaster relief volunteers in each ward is being formed. The Armed Police Force will lead the local response, while the Nepal Army, Nepal Police and other bodies will support rescue and logistics. The government has started stockpiling boats, ropes and basic materials in advance—a welcome shift from last year’s scramble. Still, preparedness must go beyond logistics. At the heart of all effort lies the ability to trust and respond to data. Last year, failure to heed DHM’s forecast turned manageable rainfall into a widespread crisis. Repeating that mistake would be a careless act, while prevention needs to begin before the arrival of rain. Upgrading the drainage system is essential. The blockage at Chobhar outlet, the only outlet for the valley's rainwater, made the recent floods in Kathmandu worse. Even a slight blockage turns roads and homes into ponds in the capital city, the state of other localities is unthinkable. Urban planning and drainage problems must be addressed as part of long-term risk reduction, as temporary solutions to problems won’t help. Infrastructure must be re-engineered to absorb and channel water away safely. Preparedness should also include local bodies, who need real-time forecasts in accessible ways. In rural hills, where landslides strike without notice, basic alert systems and mobile-based warnings could save lives.

Meanwhile, the preparation tasks should not be left to security forces alone. People must know what to do, where to go and how to respond. Clear communication campaigns led by municipalities and supported and participated by community groups can help spread this awareness. As Nepal suffers from ill impacts of climate change, our monsoon challenge has grown many folds, requiring careful planning that must begin with each year’s forecast. Although our authorities cannot entirely eliminate floods or landslides, they must aim for reducing the damage they cause, save lives, and protect livelihoods. When preparedness begins consistently on time, rain during the monsoon or any other period cannot be a threat. Now, as the monsoon is already here, we must make every preparation to avoid the havoc it may unleash.