Organizer: International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD)
About the training
We are organising a training of trainers (ToT) workshop on the use of Earth observation (EO), geospatial information technology (GIT), and ICIMOD science applications for key professionals working on disaster preparedness in Nepal.
Effective risk reduction and resilience strategies ensure that relevant actors can anticipate adverse events before they occur and take proactive actions to alleviate consequences. Recognising the need to enhance such capability in the region, our SERVIR-HKH Initiative, collaborates with the NASA SERVIR Applied Sciences Team to develop science applications that assist in forecasting high-impact weather events, flash floods and floods in river networks in the HKH region. These applications provide information that is a significant improvement over current deterministic forecasting systems and are, therefore, more reliable, and actionable. These applications are maintained on an open-access web portal for public use and feedback, and we regularly engage relevant stakeholders in capacity development activities.
Objective
The overall objective of this five-day ToT workshop is to strengthen the capacity of key professionals working in disaster preparedness on the use of EO, GIT, and ICIMOD science applications and enable them to transfer the knowledge to other users.
Specifically, the workshop will focus on:
- Concepts and applications of Earth observation and geospatial information technology
- High-Impact Weather Assessment Tool (HIWAT)
- Streamflow Prediction Tool for Nepal, which provides 10-day streamflow forecasts based on downscaled global forecasts (ECMWF)
- Flash Flood Prediction Tool for Nepal (earlier referred to as the HIWAT Streamflow Prediction Tool), which provides 48-hour flood forecasts resulting from localised extreme weather phenomena
Expected outcomes
Upon completion of the training, the participants will have a better understanding of remote sensing (RS) and geographic information system (GIS) concepts, and our science applications for use around disasters – floods, lightning strikes, high impact winds, high rainfall rates, hail, and other weather events.
It is also expected that the participants will be able to transfer the knowledge gained at the workshop to their users/partners.
Expected participants
Fifteen nominated officers from the Armed Police Force (APF), Nepal who participated in our earlier orientation training at the APF Disaster Management Training School (DMTS), are expected to join the training.
Resource persons
Background
Sustainable water management and reducing risks from natural hazards such as floods are major concerns for countries in the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) region, including Nepal. Confronted with limited knowledge and scarce resources, mountain-specific solutions for water-related problems have remained rather tenuous and generally ineffective.
Our SERVIR-HKH Initiative, a partnership between USAID, NASA and ICIMOD, has developed several science applications – decision support tools and services – to contribute to effective, evidence-based decision-making processes by governments, communities, and individuals using scientific data, Earth observation information, and geospatial information technologies. These science applications respond to the areas of disaster, natural resources, agriculture, environment, and climate change.
