Last Updated on August 4, 2023
Private telecom operator Ncell Axiata sent over 44 lakh SMS to its user to alert them against possible flood and landslide disasters. Sharing the information, the company said that it has sent alert messages to its customers relating to natural disasters for two months after this year’s monsoon started. This is part of Ncell’s “Flood Early Warning System” CSR initiative.
The telco said that its disaster-related SMS is still ongoing as rain continues to threaten many parts of Nepal. Ncell has cooperated with the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology (DHM) for sending early warning flood messages and says that the initiative has helped minimize the impact on human lives and property.
The telco said, “Ncell in collaboration with the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology (DHM) has been contributing to saving lives and property from floods by dissemination of flood-related early warning SMS alerts since 2016.”
Ncell has been working with DHM since 2016 and running disaster-related services as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). Additionally, the company says it remains committed to further strengthening the early disaster response and preparedness service.
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Ncell and Hydrology & Meteorology Department to cooperate to send flood SMS alerts
Ncell and DHM’s cooperation for disaster management through its SMS service has been ongoing for seven years. The telco particularly disseminated flood alerts in downstream communities or basins of major rivers. The list includes Narayani, Babai, Rapti, Kankai, Bagmati, Koshi, Karnali, etc.
Ncell mainly broadcasts SMS alerts during the monsoon season. Early warning SMS helps people with pre-information about the potential risk and move to safe locations with their essentials. In the meantime, organizations can also speed up their preparedness to act on time.
People also receive SMS alerts when the water level comes to normal letting them return back home.
Jabbor Kayumov, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Ncell said, “At Ncell, we are committed to serving people and the community of Nepal. Leveraging on our technical expertise and reach, we are pleased to support our community of Nepal with timely dissemination of flood alerts contributing to reducing the potential loss of lives and properties every year during monsoon. This collaborative initiative under our CSR is a testament to how public-private partnership can deliver results for the betterment of our society.”
DHM uses telemetry stations to monitor hydrological and metrological situations and activates messaging based on the water level in the rivers. Upon its request, Ncell broadcasts messages to the people living in specific locations where flood could be looming.
The Flood Forecasting Division of DHM says that since most households have GMS mobile service, flood SMS alert has become an effective medium for disseminating flood alerts to minimize losses.
Ncell users can also dial “1155” (DHM’s toll-free number) and get the latest updates on flood situations.
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Ncell broadcast 78 lakh flood alerts via SMS in 2079
The system not just sends alerts to individuals in areas identified as hazard zones, but also the organizations who are in rescue effort missions, such as National Emergency Operating Center, etc. also get the notice via SMS. Under this very collaboration, Ncell in 2079 sent over 78 lakhs flood alerts during the monsoon season. Originally, Ncell and DHM signed for flood alert service in 2016 and strengthened the association in 2018 to improve preparedness for the disaster.
As a responsible service provider, Ncell says that it remains committed to serving the people and the community. The telco adds that it is exploring chances to deploy EWS (Early Warning System) for other hydro-meteorology-related disasters too.
Adding further, the Axiata-owned telco says that when DHM sets up new telemetry devices and increases hydro-meteorological stations, it will continue to provide support for the stations to help avert disasters on lives and properties.
Ncell (as of FY 2021/22), has contributed to Nepal with over NPR 283 billion in various taxes and fees since its inception. The company has financially assisted with Rs 1.75 billion under its CSR initiatives which focus on areas such as education, health, environment, disaster recovery, and supporting the Government of Nepal, etc.
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Ncell is Nepal’s leading telecommunication giant with over 88 lakh customers on its broadband network. At the same time, over 1.34 crore people use its GSM telephony service.
