Two days national training workshop on Implementing the Common Alerting Protocol in Nepal under the umbrella of the CREWS EW4ALL Accelerator in SIDS and LDCs Project

Introduction

At the Nineteenth World Meteorological Congress (Cg-19) ,2023 the Common Alerting Protocol (CAP) standard was endorsed as a recommended practice for the routine dissemination of alerts and is now included in the Technical Regulations, Volume I (WMO-No. 49).  The CAP standard caters to all types of emergencies and is designed for all media, all hazard communications to anyone. CAP messages focus on the type of event, urgency, certainty and severity. The Common Alerting Protocol (CAP) standard is being implemented globally by the WMO to support the National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs). Timely and effective warning information allows for better preparation and adaptation to hazardous events, hence reducing losses. Some of the benefits of CAP include the (1) Ease and consistency at which alerts can be communicated to target users, (2) Standardization of alerts from many sources for situational awareness and pattern detection, and (3) Compatibility with new technologies and existing formats.

 

The aim of the workshop is to enhance knowledge and awareness of the CAP within the region and reinforce implementation through practical exercises. Participants will also be exposed to the fundamentals of Impact-based Forecast and Warning Services (IBFWS) to complement CAP.  IBFWS combines meteorological data with local information on exposure and vulnerabilities to provide forecasts which focus on, ‘what the weather will do instead of what the weather will be’.  The global implementation of CAP and IBFWS are key approaches promoted by WMO which support the implementation of the Early Warnings for All (EW4ALL) initiative.

CAP messages are rooted through the WMO Register of Alerting Authorities to recognize warnings coming from authoritative sources and these are displayed on the recently updated Severe Weather Information Centre (SWIC).  These promote the success of the Global Multi-hazard Alert System (GMAS) which seeks to “increase and enhance the availability of authoritative warnings and information related to extreme and/or potentially high-impact weather, water and climate events – regionally and globally.”

Background

Nepal is highly susceptible to a variety of natural hazards due to its diverse topography and seismic activity. The country is frequently affected by earthquakes, given its location in a seismically active zone where the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates meet. Landslides are a common occurrence, especially during the monsoon season, causing significant damage to infrastructure and loss of life. Flooding is another major hazard, with monsoon rains often leading to river overflows and flash floods. Additionally, Nepal experiences glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs), which can result in catastrophic flooding downstream. These natural hazards underscore the need for comprehensive disaster risk management and preparedness strategies to safeguard Nepal's population and development progress. Also in Nepal, the implementation of CAP has been outlined a major priority and will be crucial in enhancing the countries disaster preparedness and response capabilities.

 

Activities will be supported through the CREWS funded EW4All Multi-Stakeholder Accelerator in LDCs and SIDS project. The workshop will further be co-developed with the support of the Department for Hydrology and Meteorology, with support from the Center for Applied Research and Development (CARD) to improve Nepal’s current early warning capacity in line with national development priorities.

 

The introduction of CAP will set the basis for activities that will later be implemented in the HydroSOS Bangladesh & Nepal project, currently under development and to be submitted to the Adaptation Fund.

Objectives of CAP Training

  • Establishing a CAP country team
  • Identification of a tool to convert warnings into CAP.
  • Formatting warnings into the CAP standard
  • Mainstreaming the usage of the CAP format as a practice for the NMHSs.
  • Exposure to dissemination source of CAP alert.
  • Enhancing awareness on the Register of Alerting Authorities.

 

CAP experts from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and India National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) will support the training, sharing of good practices and lessons learnt. The following is an outline of the anticipated training which will be tailored and adapted for the country context and based on the training approach and resources of the WMO, the IMD and the NDMA. As a part of the EW4All initiative, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) will also support training sharing information on CAP message dissemination and actionable messaging.

Agenda

Day 1
Time Details Responsible
08:00-09:00 Registration DHM/CARD
09:00-09:20 Welcome and Opening Remarks

·         Mr Kamal Ram Joshi, Director General, DHM [5 min]

·         Prof. Dr. Sushil B. Bajracharya, Dean, Institute of Engineering, Tribhuvan University [5 min]

·         Mr. Cyrille Honoré, Director, DRR, MHEWS Office, Public Services Division WMO [5 min]

WMO, DHM, IOE
09:20-09:35 Workshop overview and Introductions &

Overview of the CREWS EW4ALL Project initiative

All
09:35-09:50 Introduction Center for Applied Research and Development

- IOE and related initiatives

CARD
09:50-10:15 Introduction to the Common Alerting Protocol (CAP), the WMO Register of Alerting Authorities and the Severe Weather Information System (SWIC) WMO
10:15-10:45 Group Photo and Coffee Break  
10:45-11:00 Presentation on the status of early warnings in the country DHM
11:00-11:35 Sharing of good practices and CAP implementation experiences including steps for CAP implementation IMD, NDMA
11:35-12:00 Introduction to Impact-based forecast and warning services (IBFWS) WMO, IFRC
12:00-12:30 Sharing of good practices and case study on CAP and IBFWS IMD, NDMA
12:30-13:30 Lunch
13:30-13:45 Elevator Pitch for promotion of CAP WMO
13:45-15:00 Exercise and discussion: Preparation of elevator pitch Participants
1500-1515 Coffee Break
15:15-16:15 Presentation of elevator pitch Participants
16:15-16:30 Conclusions and end of Day 1 Participants
 
 
Day 2
Time Details Responsible
09:00-09:15 Welcome and Recap WMO
09:15-10:15 Details on the elements of the CAP standard WMO, IMD
10:15-10:30 Introduction to the CAP editing tool WMO, IMD
10:30-10:45 Coffee Break
10:45-12:30 Exercises and discussions on formatting alerts into CAP IMD
12:30-13:30 Lunch
13:30-14:00 Exercises and discussions on formatting alerts into CAP All
14:00-14:30 Presentation & discussion on formatting alerts into CAP All
14:30-15:00 Dissemination of CAP alerts ITU
15:00-15:15 Coffee Break
15:15-15:45 CAP Implementation Plan DHM
15:45-16:00 Discussion on next steps and evaluation All
16:00-16:30 Presentation of certificates and Closing remarks DHM

 

  1. Results Framework
Impact Increased National and Community Resilience through improved early warning communications capacity to mitigate the impacts of disasters in Bangladesh and Nepal
Objectives 1.       CAP country team established

2.       Tool to convert warnings into CAP identified

3.       Warnings into the CAP standard formatted

4.       Usage of the CAP format as a practice for the NMHSs mainstreamed

5.       Awareness on the Register of Alerting Authorities enhanced

Outcomes  

1.       Enabled national arrangements for the preparation and dissemination of CAP alerts and warnings

2.       Increased competence in the application of CAP in hydrometeorological early warning systems, processes, and procedures

3.       Increased efficiency and effectiveness in early warning communications

4.       Increased stakeholder interest in implementing CAP in their own warning systems.

Outputs  

1.       Updated entry in the WMO Register of Alerting Authorities

2.       Completed national ‘hands-on’ CAP implementation workshop

3.       Established SOPs between NHMS and NDRMO

Activities 1.       Update entry on WMO Register of Alerting Authorities

2.       Set up CAP Editor tool

3.       Discuss early warning processes and arrangements

4.       Nominate CAP editors and approvers for Bangladesh & Nepal

5.       Conduct training workshop

6.       Review operational arrangements and integrate CAP early warning communications

7.       Establish CAP team to maintain CAP feed and carry out public outreach and education.

Key Performance Indicators Indicator Baseline Target
# of CAP implementation teams initiated

 

0 Draft ToR prepared
# of CAP implementation plans developed

 

0 Draft action plan prepared
% increase in competence in CAP

 

Mean star rating from registration survey 50% increase in participants competence
# of SOPs 0 At least one SOP developed (NMHS & NDRMO)

Gallery

PXL_20250425_054530750.PORTRAIT PXL_20250425_054235657.PORTRAIT.ORIGINAL PXL_20250425_054500462.PORTRAIT PXL_20250425_054727377.ACTION_PAN-02.ORIGINAL PXL_20250425_051221190.ACTION_PAN-02.ORIGINAL PXL_20250425_055304068.PORTRAIT.ORIGINAL PXL_20250425_054328168.ACTION_PAN PXL_20250425_054755983.PORTRAIT PXL_20250425_064020892.ACTION_PAN-02.ORIGINAL PXL_20250425_064701936.PORTRAIT PXL_20250425_054259889.ACTION_PAN-02.ORIGINAL PXL_20250425_051250766.ACTION_PAN-02.ORIGINAL PXL_20250425_063826347.ACTION_PAN PXL_20250425_055114648.PORTRAIT.ORIGINAL PXL_20250425_104515259.PORTRAIT.ORIGINAL PXL_20250425_104731062.PORTRAIT.ORIGINAL PXL_20250425_065047172.PORTRAIT.ORIGINAL PXL_20250425_104840802.PORTRAIT.ORIGINAL PXL_20250425_104434100.PORTRAIT.ORIGINAL PXL_20250425_104814039.PORTRAIT.ORIGINAL PXL_20250425_095234982.PORTRAIT.ORIGINAL PXL_20250425_104413400.PORTRAIT.ORIGINAL PXL_20250425_104503240.PORTRAIT.ORIGINAL PXL_20250425_104604650.PORTRAIT.ORIGINAL PXL_20250425_054821990.PORTRAIT.ORIGINAL PXL_20250425_104804459.PORTRAIT.ORIGINAL PXL_20250425_064916378.PORTRAIT.ORIGINAL PXL_20250425_064306776.PORTRAIT.ORIGINAL PXL_20250425_105503245.PORTRAIT.ORIGINAL PXL_20250425_055030700.ACTION_PAN-02.ORIGINAL PXL_20250425_051637044.PORTRAIT.ORIGINAL PXL_20250425_054717328.ACTION_PAN-02.ORIGINAL PXL_20250425_055207105.PORTRAIT.ORIGINAL PXL_20250425_054810295.PORTRAIT.ORIGINAL PXL_20250425_055420563.PORTRAIT.ORIGINAL PXL_20250425_051226109.ACTION_PAN-02.ORIGINAL PXL_20250425_055436181.PORTRAIT.ORIGINAL PXL_20250425_083245066.ACTION_PAN-02.ORIGINAL PXL_20250425_054510455.PORTRAIT.ORIGINAL PXL_20250425_055151896.PORTRAIT.ORIGINAL