National
Early Warning System in Seti out of order
The Early Warning System (EWS), which was installed in Seti River a year after the devastating flash flood in 2012, has remained dysfunctional due to lack of proper attention from the authorities.Lal Prasad Sharma
The Early Warning System (EWS), which was installed in Seti River a year after the devastating flash flood in 2012, has remained dysfunctional due to lack of proper attention from the authorities.
“Display board of the EWS has been giving the same reading of 0.10 metres for the past six months,” said Indresh Chaudhary, head constable of Armed Police Force, who is deployed at the water level measurement station under the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology (DHM).
The DHM established the EWS on the premises of the District Administration Office in Kaski district three years ago, with the support of Building Disaster Resilient Communities in Pokhara in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme.
The system assesses the flow of water in the river and issues flood warnings in the event of sudden rise in water levels. The stations have been set up both in upstream and downstream areas to monitor the river’s water levels and relay the early warnings in the events of sudden rise in water levels.
At least 32 people were killed when they were swept away by a flash flood in Seti River in May 2012. It also caused property losses worth millions.
The EWS is not in working order, but the concerned authorities are not paying attention to repair the system, according to Ram Bahadur Paudel, coordinator of the Pokhara Civil Society.
“The EWS can save lives and properties. It will identify danger levels of river and warn villagers along the river banks in seven VDCs,” he said, urging the concerned authorities to repair the system immediately. .
Assistant Chief District Officer Gurudatta Dhakal said they have informed the Regional Hydrology and Meteorology Office about the problem. Chief of the Regional Hydrology and Meteorology Office Rajaram Prasad Dhakal have assured to take initiative to repair the EWS soon.