Nepal is currently battling crises on two fronts. First, the country is engaged in reconstruction efforts following widespread destruction caused by infiltrators disguised as members of Generation Z. Second, it has been forced to respond to severe, country-wide rainfall before it could even recover from the shock of the earlier violence and arson. The rainfall was particularly devastating in Ilam district, where 34 lives were lost, bringing the total death toll across the country to 53.

The series victory of the Nepali national team over the two-time world champion, the West Indies, in a 20 over international cricket match helped heal the deep wound unimaginatively fast. But this euphoria of the cricket victory was short-lived. Because heavy rains lashed the whole of the country, leading to several deaths.

Nepal receives the monsoon rains after a low pressure is created in the Bay of Bengal by the direct summer sun. It sends rain-laden clouds through the eastern side of Nepal, slowly enveloping the whole of the country. The rains begin from the end of March and persists till the end of September.

But this year, the story was different. It began two weeks early and continued till two weeks late. The present catastrophe was created by a monsoon low pressure system that moved inland from Odisha, India. It advanced towards central India duly drawing moisture-bearing monsoon winds into Nepal.

Two silver linings could however be seen in both these dark clouds. Firstly, the Gen Z movement has sent a chill up the spine of the politicians and bureaucrats who reveled in corruption. The corrupt politicians and bureaucrats are having sleepless nights either in their burnt or corruption-studded sophisticated homes.

Secondly, the heavy rainfall showed how Nepal has woken from the deep slumber towards the much-needed preparedness before disaster occurs. In a similar event last year, the death toll had mounted to 224. Like this year, the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology had cautioned the whole of the country towards a likely disaster last year also, but the government made a half-hearted attempt by just publishing a notice.

This year the whole of the country was mobilised with Premier Sushila Karki addressing the nation. In a similar event last year that led to the death of 224 people, former Prime Minister Mr. K P Oli was in the United States engaging in conventional sweet nothings when the situation in the country warranted his immediate return.

The most notable aspect of this heavy rainfall response strategy was the closure of the roads throughout the country and the prevention of the movement of the people. The federal, provincial, and the local government appeared to work hand in glove, which reduced the deaths to a fairly low level. The officials of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, the Disaster Preparedness Network, and the Gen Zee leaders along with several other individuals could be seen taking the necessary actions from the monsoon command post round the clock.

A monsoon-induced disaster causes untold sufferings to the people at large, but it also provides enough time for preparedness. Our problem in the past and even this year to some extent is our failure to make enough preparedness. We miserably fail in the wake of a disaster like a student who faces the examination without making adequate preparedness.

A study has shown that the expenditure of one rupee in preparedness ends up saving seven rupees in the following response and reconstruction. Better preparedness this time was instrumental in reducing the number of deaths significantly compared to last year.

What is the way forward in the future in view of such events likely to occur in succession, particularly because of the aggravating effects of climate change? What is for sure is that we cannot stop the rains from falling. But we can reduce its gushing speed down the mountainous slope. We think that we have to resort to sophisticated foreign technology for this purpose. The damage incurred on the B P Highway by the Roshi River has, however, proved it wrong. Instead, indigenous technologies can be very suitable in such a situation.

The digging of a canal feeding the gullies on either side, also known as Bhal Katne indigenous technology or drainage, can reduce landslide incidences significantly. Yet another technique like the filling up of the cracks with grass turfing, or Chapari purne technique, can be the last nail in the coffin of a landslide. The use of these twin-techniques in Siranchok Municipality of Gorkha district has been found to be successful.

Pond digging of various sizes, right from the highlands passing through the midlands to the lowlands according to the steepness on either side of the gullies in the mountains, can blunt the flood considerably. These ponds act like a dam in a river which stores and regulates the flow of the rainwater downstream. In fact, these are time-tested techniques as can be seen in the Kathmandu Valley and also in the Tarai districts. They not only act as cushions in the wake of a flood but also act as a reservoir for use in disasters like a fire. Some 171 ponds were constructed – 101 in Mahottari and 70 in Khotang districts. Unfortunately, this cost-effective and indigenous technique could not be emulated in other parts of the country due to the indifference of the government.

These techniques can be implemented with local manpower, material, and financial resources. The local government can execute them easily. They are worth trying before the next monsoon.