IHRR
Apr 02,2025
Kathmandu, Jan 02, 2025 – The Institute of Himalayan Risk Reduction (IHRR) participated in the 3rd National Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (NCDRR), held on December 26-27, 2024 at The Everest Hotel in Kathmandu. During the event, IHRR presented its pioneering VICTORY Project (Visualizing the Power of Citizen Science Through Observations and Repository for Anticipatory Action), highlighting its significant contributions to disaster risk reduction and climate resilience through innovative citizen science approaches.
The VICTORY Project, a fusion of low-cost hardware and software solutions, empowers communities by transforming everyday individuals into scientific contributors. Utilizing repurposed soda bottles, community members in Bhimeshwor and Barbardiya municipalities collected and measured daily accumulated rainfall, addressing the lack of precipitation data in regions increasingly prone to floods and landslides.
Citizen scientists employed a simple Floating Ball method to determine river velocity and a calibrated Bamboo Staff to measure water levels in Barbardiya Municipality. These observations were then submitted through the VICTORY mobile application and integrated into an online dashboard, enhancing data accessibility and disaster preparedness efforts.
Through this initiative, 106 citizen scientists—50% of whom are women—actively participated in monitoring rainfall, river water levels, landslides, and disaster impacts within their communities. In Barbardiya Municipality alone, participants reported 7,141 rainfall readings, 5,092 water level readings, and 222 impact reports during the monsoon season (June–October). Similarly, in Bhimeshwor Municipality, they contributed 6,779 rainfall reports, 86 landslide reports, and 69 disaster impact submissions.
Beyond data collection, the VICTORY Project supported the pilot implementation of Impact-Based Weather Forecasting (IBF) in both municipalities. Citizen scientists not only gathered valuable environmental data but also received and disseminated weather forecasts, enhancing community preparedness and early warning mechanisms. The initiative enhanced institutional capacities by integrating citizen-generated data into municipal planning processes, strengthening disaster response capabilities at the local level. Additionally, 1,692 individuals—46% of whom were women—were engaged through sensitization trainings and workshop sessions, equipping them with practical disaster preparedness skills.
At the NCDRR marketplace, the VICTORY Project was prominently featured, showcasing its implementation steps and impact. The stall attracted significant attention, with participants expressing curiosity about the soda bottle rain gauge and its data collection accuracy. The Honorable Home Minister also visited the stall, acknowledging the project’s innovative approach to community-driven disaster risk reduction.
IHRR’s participation in NCDRR underscored the potential of citizen science in strengthening disaster resilience and climate action. By leveraging cost-effective technologies and community engagement, the VICTORY Project exemplifies how inclusive and locally-driven initiatives can bridge data gaps and enhance early warning systems, ultimately contributing to national and global disaster risk reduction efforts.
