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Flood Forecasting and Early Warning System for Karnali and Narayani River Basin in Nepal

Funding Agency: Government of Nepal 
Client: Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, Babarmahal
Date: Oct 2022 – Dec 2026

The main objective of the project is to develop the medium range flood forecasting and early warning system for the major river systems of the Karnali and Narayani river basins of Nepal, and short range flood forecast for small tributaries within the basin, which shall also be fit for low and medium flow prediction.

The scope of work for this consultancy service comprises the following 6 tasks:

1. Database Management for the flood forecasting model 

  1. Data Import Module 
  2. Data Transformation Module 
  3. Data Storage Sub System 
  4. Data Display Module 

2. Development of Flood Forecasting and Early Warning System

  1. Selection of appropriate hydrological and Hydraulic modelling software or open source scripts for modelling.
  2. Set up the Hydrological model.
  3. Calibration and validation of the hydrological model.
  4. Assimilation with real-time or hybrid input of precipitation from other sources, wherever and whenever necessary, to address the data gap in the part of the catchments originating from Tibet.
  5. Develop a flood forecast model.
  6. Develop an error correction mechanism of forecast model.
  7. Development of a 1D2D hydraulic model for flood prone area.
  8. Coupling of hydrological and hydraulic models in the FFEWS environment.
  9. Analysis of flood frequencies and setting of warning and danger levels for flood-prone settlements.
  10. Development of a data input model for operational flood forecasting and early warning system (FFEWS). 

3. Development of Central Database, Dashboard, and Web-Based System for FFEWS.

  1. Central Database System (automatic data acquisition system).
  2. Hydro-Met data gap-filling model.
  3. Development of the Central dashboard system. d. Development of a Web-based system. 

4. Development of a decision support system for flood information management.

  1. Automation of model operation.
  2. Development of a Decision Support System for flood managers.
  3. Web-based display and Mobile App. 

5. Operation and maintenance of modelling tools and forecast verification.

  1. Verification of model output for the monsoon period.
  2. Validation of the Inundation map.
  3. Verification of Model output for the medium and lean flow season.
  4. Troubleshooting of model operation. 

6. Transfer of knowledge and troubleshooting capacity.

  1. Capacity building for DHM technicians.
  2. Development of manual and troubleshooting guidelines for the smooth operation of FFEWS.