The Institute of Himalayan Risk Reduction (IHRR), in partnership with CARE Nepal, organized a Bagmati River Basin-Level Tabletop Simulation Exercise (SIMEX) on 30 September 2026 in Rajdevi Municipality, Rautahat, under the Sajag Samaj (SaSa) Phase II – Women's Voice and Leadership in Anticipatory Action project.
The exercise brought together 46 participants, including mayors, deputy mayors, chief administrative officers, representatives of District, Local, Ward and Community Disaster Management Committees (DDMCs, LDMCs, WDMCs and CDMCs), emergency operation centres, Women Leaders in Emergencies (WLiE), DRR focal persons, agriculture and health sector representatives, Nepal Police, Armed Police Force, community volunteers and humanitarian stakeholders.
Through progressive flood scenarios involving heavy rainfall, rising river levels, embankment breaches, evacuation and emergency response, participants tested preparedness plans, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), early warning systems, resource mobilization and coordination mechanisms. The exercise also examined a hypothetical earthquake-induced Kulekhani Dam failure to assess preparedness for cascading hazards and upstream–downstream information sharing.
The simulation identified opportunities to strengthen inter-municipal coordination, warning verification, institutional responsibilities, resource inventories and timely anticipatory action. An after-action review further emphasized inclusive evacuation planning, community preparedness and improved emergency communication.
Through this initiative, IHRR continues to promote locally led disaster preparedness, inclusive early warning systems and coordinated action to strengthen community resilience across the Bagmati River Basin.
