Past

SAFER-Chaudhar: Smart and Accessible Flood Early Response through Community Hydrometric Monitoring

SAFER-Chaudhar strengthens community-based flood early warning through low-cost hydrometric monitoring, citizen science, and improved coordination between communities and local government.

Project Details Past
Duration Feb 01, 2026 – Jul 31, 2026
Client Asia Disaster Reduction and Response Network (ADRRN)
Location Beldandi Rural Municipality, Kanchanpur District, Sudurpaschim Province, Nepal
Thematic Area Early Warning System For All
Project Detail

The SAFER-Chaudhar project established a community-led hydrometric monitoring system in Beldandi Rural Municipality to improve flood preparedness and early response. The project deployed low-cost rain gauges and bamboo staff gauges for rainfall and water-level monitoring and strengthened local capacity through citizen science. It developed data collection protocols and training materials, trained community citizen scientists, and established mechanisms for communication and coordination between communities and local government. The project also supported the development and strengthening of an operational Community-Based Early Warning System (CBEWS) for flood and disaster events.

Details in Bullet:

  • Installed low-cost rain gauges for community-based rainfall monitoring. 
  • Installed bamboo staff gauges for water-level monitoring. 
  • Customized existing software solutions for data collection and monitoring. 
  • Developed standardized data collection protocols and training manuals. 
  • Trained and mobilized local citizen scientists for regular monitoring. 
  • Conducted community and ward-level sensitization activities. 
  • Conducted VCA and transect walks in flood- and disaster-prone areas. 
  • Organized school-level outreach and orientation activities. 
  • Conducted training workshops for citizen scientists. 
  • Conducted watershed-level simulation exercises and established response mechanisms. 
  • Strengthened local communication mechanisms, including community sirens, loudspeakers, FM jingles, and municipality–community communication. 
  • Established mechanisms for continuous data collection, monitoring, and analysis. 
  • Documented project learning through reports and video documentation. 
  • Conducted a local workshop and supported system handover to local stakeholders. 


 

Implementation

The project is implemented by:

  • Institute of Himalayan Risk Reduction (IHRR) 
  • Nepal National Social Welfare Association (NNSWA) 

It is implemented in close collaboration with Beldandi Rural Municipality, local communities, citizen scientists, schools, and other local stakeholders to strengthen community-based flood early warning and local ownership.

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