Nepal’s Disaster Preparedness: Progress, Challenges, and the Path Forward

Nepal, a country highly vulnerable to natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods, landslides, and heatwaves, has made significant strides in disaster risk reduction and preparedness. Yet, as recent events and expert analyses reveal, the nation still faces critical challenges in fully safeguarding its people and infrastructure against increasingly frequent and severe natural hazards.

Since the devastating 2015 earthquake, Nepal has shifted from a reactive, response-centric approach to a more proactive disaster risk reduction (DRR) strategy. The 2015 Constitution decentralized disaster governance across federal, provincial, and local levels, empowering local governments to take active roles in preparedness and response. The 2017 Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act (DRRM Act) and its 2019 Regulations clearly define roles and responsibilities across government tiers, emphasizing preparedness, mitigation, and the principle of “build back better” in reconstruction efforts.

The establishment of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) in 2019 marked a pivotal step toward coordinated disaster policy and planning. The government’s 15th Five-Year Plan (2019-2024) mainstreamed DRR priorities, and all 77 districts now have disaster preparedness and response plans. Additionally, hazard and risk maps have been developed, and over 650 rural municipalities have prepared local disaster risk profiles. Public awareness is increasing through government media, social networks, and community radio broadcasts of weather forecasts and risk information, supported by real-time data access via the NDRRMA’s Disaster Information Management System1.

In response to recent disasters, including the 2024 monsoon floods and landslides, the government approved the Post-Disaster Recovery Plan (PDRP) for Western Nepal, allocating NPR 2.28 billion for reconstruction across multiple sectors such as roads, housing, education, health, and cultural heritage2. The Ministry of Home Affairs has also ramped up disaster preparedness by deploying over 17,000 security personnel trained in disaster mitigation and rescue, establishing temporary monsoon response bases, and equipping specialized divers for rescue operations6.

Moreover, Nepal is embracing anticipatory action—a forward-looking disaster management approach—through the newly launched Anticipatory Action Clinic (AA Clinic). This institutional hub coordinates government and partner efforts to develop a national anticipatory action framework and roadmap for 2025-2027, focusing on capacity building, coordination, and knowledge sharing to enable timely, preemptive responses to impending hazards5.

Disaster Preparedness Network-Nepal (DPNet), a key national coalition of government and non-government actors, continues to facilitate coordination, policy advocacy, and capacity building. Recent workshops have refined humanitarian response training manuals, integrating anticipatory action, early warning systems, and inclusive practices addressing gender, equity, disability, and social inclusion (GEDSI)3.

In the western region, the SUPER-II project, led by UNDP and partners, aims to strengthen urban and earthquake preparedness through institutionalizing government-led operational systems, enhancing coordination, and prioritizing vulnerable groups such as women, children, and persons with disabilities7.

Despite these advances, Nepal’s disaster risk remains high due to climate change-driven increases in hazard frequency and intensity, resource constraints, and gaps in preventive infrastructure and community-level preparedness. Urban areas like Kathmandu Valley continue to face challenges in managing flash floods and landslides, highlighting the need for improved urban planning and resilient infrastructure.

Nepal’s comprehensive disaster management framework and ongoing initiatives reflect a strong commitment to reducing disaster risk and building resilience. However, sustained investment, multi-sector collaboration, and community engagement are essential to translate policy into effective action on the ground.

For organizations like Green Smith Nepal, which focus on sustainable development and environmental stewardship, there is a critical role to play in supporting Nepal’s disaster resilience goals. This includes:

• Promoting community-based disaster risk reduction and climate adaptation projects.

• Advocating for green infrastructure and nature-based solutions to mitigate hazards.

• Facilitating awareness campaigns and capacity building at the grassroots level.

• Partnering with government agencies and networks to align efforts with national strategies such as the Sendai Framework and anticipatory action initiatives.

By integrating disaster preparedness into sustainable development practices, Green Smith Nepal can help foster safer, more resilient communities that are better equipped to face Nepal’s evolving environmental challenges.

In summary, Nepal is on a transformative path toward enhanced disaster preparedness and risk reduction, yet the journey demands continued vigilance, innovation, and partnership. The collective efforts of government, civil society, international partners, and organizations like Green Smith Nepal will be pivotal in safeguarding lives and livelihoods against future disasters.

References

1. https://www.dpnet.org.np/uploads/files/Nepal%20Position%20Papaer%20for%20GP%202025%202025-06-01%2011-02-55.pdf
2. https://hrrpnepal.org/uploads/media/NHSRPBulletinJanuary2025-compressed_20250402154225.pdf
3. https://www.dpnet.org.np
4. https://ncdm.org.np/2025-2/
5. https://www.anticipation-hub.org/news/the-anticipatory-action-clinic-a-strategic-breakthrough-for-disaster-risk-management-in-nepal
6. https://risingnepaldaily.com/news/63106
7. https://www.undp.org/nepal/projects/strengthening-urban-preparedness-earthquake-preparedness-and-response-western-region-nepal-super-ii
8. https://www.preventionweb.net/publication/nepal-national-action-plan-disaster-management-nepal
9. https://reliefweb.int/report/nepal/nepal-national-disaster-preparedness-baseline-assessment-data-driven-tool-assessing-risk-and-building-lasting-resilience
10. https://reliefweb.int/report/nepal/nepal-fy-2025-country-roadmap