Stakeholders Emphasize Strengthening 'Heat Action Plan' and Early Warning Systems for Heatwaves

Kathmandu. Stakeholders have emphasized the need to further strengthen the implementation of the 'Heat Action Plan' by making the early warning system effective in reducing the impact of increasing heatwaves caused by climate change.  

Speaking at a program organized in the capital on the occasion of 'Heat Action Day', they expressed this view. Expressing concern over the increasing risk of heatwaves in Nepal due to climate change, they said that cooperation between the government and partner organizations is necessary to minimize the risk of hot winds.

Speaking at the program, Nepal Red Cross Society Secretary-General Min Bahadur Malla mentioned that most of the districts in the Terai are at high risk of hot winds (heatwaves) and stated that the strategic support of the Government of Nepal is necessary to expand the 'Heat Action' program being conducted at the community level.  

He said that under the support of the American Red Cross, awareness and preparedness campaigns on how to avoid heatwaves are being conducted for the community in Banke and Rupandehi districts. He drew the attention of the government to the risk that not only these two districts but also many districts and areas in the Terai could be affected by hot winds. He said that coordination and cooperation between government bodies and development partners are essential to face the challenge of increasing heat and heatwaves along with climate change.  

He said, ‘Currently, with the support of the American Red Cross, we have launched a campaign in two districts of Nepal, Banke and Rupandehi, related to heat action on how to protect the community from hot winds (heatwaves). However, these two districts alone cannot be considered as districts affected by hot winds. Many districts and areas in the Terai region can be affected by hot winds. Therefore, the strategic support of the Government of Nepal is needed in those areas. I also believe that we will hear many success stories by the next edition of the dialogue. I also believe that other partner organizations will include the issue of heat action in their programs in the coming days.’

Department of Hydrology and Meteorology Director General Dr. Archana Shrestha said that in recent years, temperature rise has been setting new records worldwide. According to her, more than 40 weather measurement centers set temperature increase records in the 2000s alone. She informed that the department is working on effective monitoring of thermal conditions, strengthening the forecasting system, and expanding cooperation with various partner organizations.  

She said that the department is currently modifying the traditional temperature assessment system and developing a percentage-based temperature measurement system. Director General Shrestha informed that the department has recently been issuing impact-based forecasts related to heatwaves. She also informed that a pilot project for impact-based forecasting related to heatwaves is currently being operated in two districts of Madhesh Province.

She said, ‘Since the beginning of the 2000s, past temperature records have been broken at more than 40 weather measurement centers. This situation has become even more serious in the last five years. In this situation, the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology is planning on how to monitor thermal conditions and how to cooperate with various partner organizations. Through this, forecasts can be prepared and timely information and early warnings can be provided to the community and stakeholders, so that necessary precautions can be taken and the negative impact on daily life and the economy can be reduced. We are also working on the technical aspects. Earlier, we used to assess based only on whether the temperature was above or below normal. Now, we are working on a 'percentile' system, which helps in setting different criteria according to different locations.’  

She said, ‘This will apply not only to the Terai region but also to the hilly and mountainous regions. For the past few years, we have been issuing impact-based forecasts related to heatwaves in collaboration with various organizations including the Nepal Red Cross. Work is currently underway in three areas, and a pilot project for impact-based forecasting related to heatwaves has been conducted in two districts of Madhesh Province. We are also working on the 'Heat Action Plan' in collaboration with the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority.’

Nepal Disaster Preparedness Network Chairman Prof. Dr. Basanta Raj Adhikari said that data collection, analysis, and technological development at the local level are essential for disaster risk reduction and heatwave management. He argued that unless temperature, humidity, and other related data are regularly collected and analyzed at the local level, a 'blanket approach' based on a single standard cannot solve the heatwave problem in Nepal.

He said, ‘So far, efforts to reduce the risk of hot winds have been limited. Some organizations have started working in this direction. As long as we do not collect and analyze data on increasing humidity and hot winds at the local level, a 'blanket approach' based on a single standard cannot solve the heatwave problem in Nepal.’

He further said, ‘There is a need to develop local technologies and sensors. If we can collect a large amount of data, we can use artificial intelligence and machine learning to conduct in-depth studies of the impacts of heatwaves. We have not yet paid sufficient attention to the impact on occupational health. Many other countries are implementing strategies and programs on this issue, but this aspect has not yet become a priority in Nepal.’

Ministry of Home Affairs Joint Secretary Suresh Panthi informed that the roadmap for 'Early Warning for All' has been approved with the objective of extending the early warning system to all citizens. He said that the roadmap includes the risk of heatwaves (heat) with special priority. He also said that the government is actively identifying risk-prone areas and minimizing their impact by coordinating with development partner organizations related to climate change and relevant ministries.

Joint Secretary Panthi also informed that efforts are being made to strengthen coordination between the District Security Committee, Provincial Emergency Operations Center, and Local Emergency Operations Unit to reduce the risk of heatwaves in some cities in the Terai. He also expressed his commitment that government efforts alone are not sufficient to reduce heatwaves and disaster risks, and that future policies and programs will be improved based on learning from past practices and feedback from stakeholders.

He said, ‘The roadmap for the 'Early Warning for All' mechanism has been prepared and approved. I would like to inform you that the issue of heat waves has also been given priority in this roadmap. Similarly, all development partners and ministries related to climate change are working with various partner organizations to identify risk-prone areas and minimize their impact in their current strategies and periodic plans.’  

He said, ‘In order to make necessary preparations to reduce the impact of hot winds (heatwaves) in some cities recently, especially in the Terai region, the ministry has been continuously working to connect the District Security Committees and Provincial Emergency Operations Centers with local emergency operation areas and to make preparations for it. However, these measures alone are not sufficient to reduce the risk. We will learn from past practices, take feedback from stakeholders, and try to include them in future programs and policy matters.’

Most of the speakers at the program expressed the view that all parties need to take responsibility for adopting adaptation measures as heatwaves increase the risk of health problems including heatstroke.