Nepal Prepares Winter Risk Plan as Snowfall, Cold Wave Threaten Large Regions

The government has drafted the National Action Plan-2083 to reduce risks from snowfall in mountain and high-hill regions and cold waves in the Tarai-Madhes during winter.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) finalized the draft after holding consultations with relevant agencies. The move follows Home Minister Om Prakash Aryal’s instruction to the NDRRMA to prepare for possible winter hazards.

NDRRMA Chief Executive Officer Dinesh Prasad Bhatt said the action plan will soon be tabled before the executive committee, chaired by the Home Minister, for approval and implementation.

According to the NDRRMA, 29 mountain and high-hill districts are likely to be affected by snowfall, while 21 Tarai districts may face cold waves this winter. The action plan incorporates special strategies to minimize risks and protect vulnerable communities. This is the first time the government is issuing a national action plan specifically targeting winter-related hazards.

Snowfall generally affects mountain and high-hill districts, while cold waves impact Tarai districts from mid-November to mid-March.

Cold wave–prone districts

The districts likely to be most affected by cold wave include Jhapa, Sunsari, Morang, Saptari, Siraha, Dhanusha, Mahottari, Sarlahi, Rautahat, Bara, Parsa, Nawalparasi (Bardaghat Susta East), Nawalparasi (Bardaghat Susta West), Rupandehi, Kapilvastu, Dang, Banke, Bardiya, Kailali and Kanchanpur.

Udayapur, Makawanpur, Sindhuli and Surkhet may see moderate impact.

Snowfall-prone districts

The action plan forecasts that mountainous and high-hill areas in Koshi, Bagmati, Gandaki, Lumbini, Karnali and Sudurpaschim provinces will face significant snowfall.

In Koshi Province, upper regions of Taplejung, Sankhuwasabha, Okhaldhunga, Solukhumbu, Panchthar, Tehrathum and Bhojpur are expected to be heavily affected.

In Bagmati Province, snowfall is likely to affect Dolakha, Ramechhap, Sindhupalchok, Rasuwa and Dhading.

Gorkha, Manang, Mustang, Baglung, Kaski in Gandaki Province, and Rukum East in Lumbini Province are also expected to be affected.

Dolpa, Jumla, Mugu, Humla and Kalikot in Karnali Province, and Bajura, Bajhang, Darchula, Baitadi and Dadeldhura in Sudurpaschim Province also face a high risk.

CEO Bhatt said implementing the plan will ease hardships for underprivileged communities, senior citizens, children, people with chronic illnesses, pregnant women, new mothers and persons with disabilities during winter.

The plan also outlines measures to reduce the impact of snowfall and cold waves, including advance preparations of relief materials. Based on the national plan, affected districts, provinces and local levels will be able to draft localized action plans.

A strategy has been introduced to identify areas and target groups likely to be affected by snowfall by December 1, update relevant data, and prioritize beneficiaries.

The action plan further includes preparedness strategies for snowfall-related disasters, mechanisms to minimize damage based on forecasts, and the operation of forecasting and early-warning systems to ensure timely dissemination of information throughout Mangsir (mid-November to mid-December). -- RSS