The Hindu Kush Himalayan (HKH) region is a dynamic and complex mountain landscape which is known to be extremely fragile and prone to natural hazards like floods, glacial lake outburst, droughts, landslides, avalanches and earthquakes. These natural hazards are further exacerbated by climate change. Floods and flash floods are the major climate-induced natural hazards that threaten the lives and livelihoods of downstream communities, especially in the monsoon season. Floods in small rivers and tributaries can be disastrous if the government and other concerned agencies do not pay due attention.
In order to address the risks posed by floods and enhance the resilience of vulnerable communities, ICIMOD has piloted the Community Based Flood Early Warning System (CBFEWS) in different river tributaries in Afghanistan, India and Nepal. For its contribution on the ground the CBFEWS project received UNFCCC’s ‘Momentum for Change: 2014 Lighthouse Activity Award’ under the ICT Solutions category in COP20, Lima, Peru.