Current Status of the Weather Information Exchange Mechanism Between Nepal and China

Following the sudden and severe flood in Rasuwa on Wednesday morning, the government has urged residents of the lower riverbank areas to remain vigilant. Neither Nepal nor China provided prior warnings about the scale of the disaster. According to the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, although a mechanism for weather information exchange exists between China and Nepal, no prior notice was received regarding this incident.

Within hours of the flood event, Chinese Premier Li Qiang directed a “full-scale rescue operation,” acknowledging the “significant” damage caused by the disaster in Tibet. However, when Nepalese authorities attempted to ascertain the cause of the flood through Tibetan officials, conclusive information was not obtained. Senior meteorologist Vibhuti Pokharel stated, “We are in contact with them (Chinese officials), but they too have been unable to specify the cause so far.”

Experts have suggested that effective information exchange at the Nepal-China border could have helped minimize losses to life and property. Following the flood in the Bhote Koshi River, the District Disaster Management Committee has recommended establishing an inland early warning system. This system would provide advance information about floods, glacial lake outburst floods, or other potential disasters, aiding in the reduction of damage to lives and property.

Regarding the status of the mechanism for reporting seasonal events from Tibet, Pokharel remarked, “The information exchange system exists. However, if the event is occurring locally there, it is uncertain whether information is being transmitted.” Disaster Management Authority spokesperson Shanti Mahat emphasized the need for discussions with China on inland information exchange. She added, “We only became aware of the flood after it had already occurred.”