Floods are a major natural disaster aggravating poverty in the Indus and Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna (GBM) basins, which is home to over 600 million people and almost half of the world's poor. The project is based on the results of a series of consultative meetings with representatives from Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Nepal, and Pakistan held between 2001 and 2005, during which the project was recommended for implementation.
The overall objective of the project is to minimise loss of lives and livelihoods by reducing flood vulnerability in the HKH region with specific reference to the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna and Indus river basins
The Project purpose is timely exchange of flood data and information within and among participating countries through an established and agreed platform which is accessible and user friendly.
The implementation is divided into five major components: a framework for cooperation; a regional flood observation network; a regional flood information system; enhanced capacity and communication; and planning of a scaled up fully integrated regional project.
The project is designed to provide immediate and full ownership of the project to the participating countries. It will be executed by the relevant national institutions. The International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) will have an implementing and coordinating role. The World Meteorological Organization’s (WMO) principal responsibilities will be in the areas of technical and conceptual backstopping.
5 Years (Dec 2009 – Dec 2014)
Government of Finland
1st Phase (2001-2005) – USAID/OFDA and US Department of State, Regional Environment Office for South Asia
Mandira Shrestha
Initiative Coordinator (HYCOS)
Senior Water Resource Specialist
mshrestha@icimod.org
Vijay Ratan Khadgi
Assistance project coordinator