Nepal’s leading and top telecom company Ncell has received a government honor for its remarkable contribution to the implementation of the Early Warning System (EWS). The telco was felicitated at a National Workshop on Early Warning System held in Kathmandu on Thursday (March 21, 2024).
The Secretary of Water Resources and Irrigation, Sushil Chandra Tiwari handed over a letter of appreciation to Ncell for its EWS contribution. The government of Nepal marked Ncell for its “incomparable contribution” to the EWS system of both hydrological and meteorological disasters.
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Ncell sends flood alerts during monsoon
For the unaware, Ncell collaborates with concerned government bodies to alert the people ahead of possible disasters. This effectively allows them to move to safer locations. Since 2016, Ncell has been sending early warning SMS to the people living in flood-prone areas during monsoon each year. In 2023 alone, the company issued over 9 million SMS alerts, pre-informing people from flood-risk areas.
Ncell started its EWS project in 2016 collaborating with the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology (DHM). “Ncell is proud to spearhead and has been leading the effort since 2016 in collaboration with the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology (DHM) to ensure every Nepali is protected through the dissemination of early warning alerts,” the company in a statement.
But this is one of many corporate social responsibilities the private telco conducts in Nepal. The operator also conducts telemedicine with Dhulikhel Hospital which has already proved revolutionary in the public health sector.
In early 2024, Ncell and DHM signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to send early warning alerts to the public. Following this cooperation, the system covers SMS alerts for 13 disasters that originate from hydrological and meteorological hazards. These 13 disasters include Floods, Flash Floods, Rainfall, Thunderstorms, Wind gusts, Landslides, Avalanches, Snowfall, Heatwave, Cold Weather, Forest Fire, Air Pollution, and tornados. So, when any of these are probable in a specific area, the company sends alerts of the catastrophe beforehand.
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Ncell has received recognition in the past for the EWS
Previously too, Ncell received another government honor for its Early Warning System project. In 2018, DHM and the Society of Hydrologists and Meteorologists, SOHAM, Nepal recognized Ncell with Dr. Rishi Ram Sharma’s Disaster Response and Readiness Award for Ncell’s contribution to early warning messaging. Nepal is prone to floods, landslides, extreme climatic conditions, etc. So, early warning can play a life-saving role during the calamities.
Vishal Mani Upadhyay, Chief Regulatory and Legal Officer said, “We are proud to have this collaboration with DHM, strengthening the Early Warning System. We are grateful for recognizing what we do to enhance the safety of our communities and the people we serve. We are committed to investing in initiatives that contribute to the well-being of the people of Nepal as we are here for Nepal and the Nepali people.”
While early warning SMS ensures that people get pre-information about the disasters around them, it also helps organizations working in disaster response and preparedness to act promptly. Ncell says that it has found the number of human losses falls due to early warning alerts from floods.
