Floods are the most widespreadclimate-related hazards in the world, and they impact more people globally thanany other type of natural disasters. It causes over one third of the total economicloss from natural catastrophes and is responsible for two thirds of peopleaffected by natural disasters. On the other hand, studies and analysis have shownthat damage reductions due to forecasts improvements can range from a fewpercentage points to as much as 35% of annual flood damages. About 300 peoplelose their lives each year due to floods and landslides in Nepal with propertydamage exceeding 626 million NPR on average. The West Rapti River basin is oneof the most flood prone river basins in Nepal. The real-time flood earlywarning system together with the development of water management and floodprotection schemes plays a crucial role in reducing the loss of lives andproperties and in overall development of the basin. The non-structuralmitigating measure places people away from flood. This method is designed toreduce the impact of flooding to society and economy. This paper presents anoverview of flood problems in the West Rapti River basin, causes andconsequences of recent floods and the applicability and effectiveness of thereal time data to flood early warning in Nepal.
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