The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology (DHM) will now send voice alerts on floods, landslides, and other important weather updates. Prior to this, the department used SMS alerts for rescue purposes, but will now use voice alerts via phone calls in an attempt to make enhanced efforts in avoiding casualties and loss of property.
The department could trial voice alerts from this very monsoon season (2082). Hydrologist Sauhard Joshi has shared, “Until now, we have been sending disaster risk alerts via SMS. In some places, we have noticed situations where SMS messages are not read on time or cannot be read. To eliminate these scenarios, we are now trying to pilot whether we can take a step forward and make voice calls in the relevant areas.”
When people are too busy to check their phone’s messages or when they are without their handsets, the messages won’t be read. But a voice call can be picked by the owner of the phone or by someone around it. So, that could greatly elevate rescue efforts during times of disaster.
Also: Ncell to send SMS alert for flood and landslides
DHM to send flood alerts via voice call
The department has planned to send flood and weather-related information to the local levels (governments), administration, and disaster management committees of the concerned areas, the Red Cross, and other related bodies. It says that it is sending alerts to these bodies because it is difficult to send a bulk call to everyone at once.
The department will call the organizations and people active in disaster management in the risk area at once and run a risk-related message. As soon as the phone is picked up, the recorded message related to the risk will start playing. This will provide vital information to the people living in areas that might be affected by a natural disaster soon. Currently, a lot of lives and property are lost in disasters due to a lack of timely, advanced information.
The DHM uses weather balloons, satellite images, radar, and other data for weather forecasting in Nepal and has real-time weather stations to gather updates on rain, water level, temperature, etc. The Department coordinates with Nepal Telecom (NTC) and Ncell to send SMS to risk zones. The initiative is taking a step further now.
Also: Nepal Telecom Inquiry Numbers For All Services
The government has already predicted that Nepal will experience heavier rainfall than it has over the past 30 years. Therefore, the Department is making multi-tiered and improved efforts to minimize the risk this year.
In the meantime, you can check weather updates on dhm.gov.np, its official Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and other online pla
