Early warning systems are commonly recognized as the most effective approach to disaster risk reduction. The design and implementation of a EWS in mountain contexts is complex and requires beyond in-depth technical competences a solid understanding of social contexts and stakeholder interactions. Based on international best practices an efficient EWS covers four aspects: 1) A risk assessment for the EWS design considering the hazard processes with a focus on locations which are most in need of protection under actual and future conditions. 2) A monitoring and warning service considering technical challenges of remote mountain environments based on standard protocols, aligned with the institutional contexts of national and state disaster management authorities. 3) An alert and communication system for dissemination and effective response. 3) Response capacities involving stakeholder from national, state and local level including authorities, practitioners and responders.
Switzerland supports three types of EWS initiatives through technical assistance and capacity building:
GLOF EWS
In the frame of the SCA-Himalayas Project a pilot for a GLOWs EWS was set up in close collaboration with NDMA. The pilot aims at reducing risks related to GLOFs for downstream regions of two critical Lakes in Sikkim (South Lhonak, Shako Cho Lakes). Based on a GLOF hazard modelling assessment and a hazard exposure mapping a preliminary design for a EWS was established, which shall be finalized after an Indo-Swiss expert mission in summer 2023 for the EWS implementation thereafter. The GLOF EWS will monitor changes in the lake level, displacement of the moraine, downstream runoff, etc. The monitored data will be transmitted to a data center for analysis and interpretation. Standard Operational procedures (SOP) shall be developed in close collaboration with the disaster management authorities in order to define how to disseminate alerts to downstream communities and key stakeholders for appropriate and swift response, such as an evacuation in the event of a GLOF.
Flash Floods EWS
Himachal Pradesh is frequently affected by flood events. Kullu district of Parvati valley was identified as one of the most critical areas due to high river flows, exposure of infrastructure and the important number of visiting tourists and inhabitants. In the frame of the IHCAP-project and the SCA-Himalayas project Switzerland provided support through an in-depth assessment and a detailed project report (DPR, 2020) for a EWS on flash floods. As amendment to the DPR most recent activities (2022/23) included an extension of baseline data including recent flood events, estimation of regional flood quartiles, GIS-based modelling and hydraulic modelling for the creation of a database with infrastructure assets at risk.
Landslides EWS
In Uttarakhand the Swiss support focus on a selected stretch of the Bhagirathi Valley in view of setting up a landslide EWS. Based on a landslide susceptibility assessment and a GIS based landslide inventory hotspot areas were identified and an initial landslide susceptibility model was elaborated based on a rainfall threshold. Accordingly, a preliminary design of a landslide EWS was elaborated.
