This site uses cookies, as explained in our terms of use. If you consent, please close this message and continue to use this site.
2 mins Read
ICIMOD took another step in improving the quality of hydrometeorological data collection that will contribute to reducing flood vulnerabilities in the Hindu Kush Himalayan (HKH) countries. In collaboration with the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the United States Geological Survey (USGS) and ICIMOD member countries, ICIMOD trained 20 operational hydrologists from the national hydro-meteorological services (NHMS) of Bangladesh, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Nepal and Pakistan in correctly measuring stream discharge. The training was organized by ICIMOD and WMO, hosted by the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology (DHM) Nepal and held in Dhulikhel from 27 September to 2 October 2015. Experts from the USGS and ICIMOD conducted the training.
The participants were trained about hydrodynamics, stream discharge measurement techniques, types of instruments used for discharge measurement and methods for analysis and computation. Although experienced in performing discharge measurement in their countries, participants expressed unanimously that the training enlightened them about other methods of measuring discharge, learn how other countries are measuring discharge and clarify their longstanding queries on discharge measurement with experts. Participants also acknowledged that the topics on developing rating curve, interpolating missing data and applying quality checks were the most useful and will improve their discharge measurement practices.
A field visit was undertaken to the Rosi Khola in Panauti to demonstrate stream gauging using the wading method, one of the most conventional methods of measuring stage discharge. The participants conducted discharge measurements in small groups and cross checked with other groups. An automatic water level monitoring station using radar technology, rainfall measurement using tipping bucket and a data collection platform which records and transmits data from the site was also demonstrated to the participants.
The training was organized as part of ICIMOD’s initiative on establishing a regional flood information system in the HKH Region (HKH HYCOS) in close collaboration with the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the six regional partner countries of Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Nepal, and Pakistan. The overall objective of the initiative is to minimize loss of lives and livelihoods by reducing flood vulnerability in the HKH region with specific reference to the Indus and Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna river basins by strengthening regional cooperation for sharing flood data and information among the member countries. The initiative is supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Government of Finland.
In order to sustain the initiative, the project has focused heavily on enhancing the technical capacity of partner organizations on flood forecasting and communication aspects and sought public private partnerships, especially with telecom operators, for disaster risk reduction. The training on stream gauging was to train operational hydrologists/practitioners or trainers, including office and field staff on collection of good quality data vital for providing reliable flood forecasts.
Share
Stay up to date on what’s happening around the HKH with our most recent publications and find out how you can help by subscribing to our mailing list.
Related Contents
Empowering Women to Improve Agricultural Practices Building socio-economic resilience is at the core of the RMS concept and gender is an ...
ICIMOD celebrated World Environment Day 2015 in collaboration with the Government of Gilgit Baltistan, the Pakistan Agricultural Research ...
A week-long training course on ‘Application of Remote Sensing and Geographic Information Systems for Mapping and Monitoring of Glacier’ was ...
The two organizations will work jointly to engage in programmes of mutual interest and mobilize resources and expertise. They will ...
A five-day course in September 2017 was designed to enhance the capacity of participants to install and use community-based flood ...
Broadly, the meeting paved the way forward for creating synergies and future lines of action in the context of REDD+ ...
ICIMOD’s Kailash Sacred Landscape Conservation and Development Initiative (KSLCDI), in partnership with the Central Himalayan Environment Association (CHEA), has identified ...
The International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) hosted the SERVIR Hub Exchange Programme from 10–13 March 2015. During the ...