The Complexities in Risk Communication for Flood Early Warning System in Nepal and India.

The Early Warning System (EWS)  is recognized as a crucial mechanism for disaster risk reduction. Despite advances in technologies, the biggest shortcoming of EWS is that risk information is still failing to reach the people at risk in developing countries like Nepal and India. This presentation is based on the qualitative analysis of 90 interviews conducted for my Ph.D. thesis, in the Kosi River basin, across the Nepal-India border. Annually the Kosi River and its tributaries cause widespread flooding and inundation in Nepal and India. Recently, significant advancements have occurred in the sector of risk communication for Flood-EWS in Nepal and India. Government institutions use mobile text messages, web-based Apps, flood bulletins, and other measures to inform people about the flood. Despite the efforts, significant challenges were observed in the information outreach, especially to the women and vulnerable people living in the study area. Challenges were also identified in understanding the received text messages by flood vulnerable people, and spatially relating the information about river depth for their evacuation decision.  Recommendations were made for inclusive and people-centered EWS based on Impact based forecasting as well as on awareness-raising activities through mobile applications.