REPORT ON

PUBLIC HEALTH INFRASTRUCTURE

ENGINEERING AND DISASTER MANAGEMENT

SUBMITTED BY:

GROUP (C )
BPH 5TH SEMESTER
EDENBURGH INTERNATIONAL COLLEGE

BIRATNAGAR, NEPAL

“A REPORT SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULLFILLMENT OF THE

REQUIREMENT IN THE SUBJECT OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH
REPORT (COURSE CODE:BPH 305.3 PHIEDM-FBP) FOR
DEGREE OF BACHELOR OF PUBLIC HEALTH”.

SUBMITTED TO:
KAILASH KHAKI SHRESTHA DEPARTMENTOF PUBLIC HEALTH
EDENBURGH INTERNATIONAL COLLEGE, BIRATNAGAR
PURBANCHAL UNIVERSITY

I
 RECOMMENDATION

This is to recommend that a report on “ WATER INDUCED DISASTER IN NEPAL ” has

been carried out by following members of Group(c) of BPH 5th semester for the
partial fulfillment of “public health infrastructure engineering and disaster management”.
This original work was conducted under my supervision. I would like to
recommend keeping this report for final evaluation.

SN Name Symbol Number

1 Kishan shah 650092

2 Latta gurung 650093

3 Laxmi chaudary 650094

4 Nilam Pandit 650095

5 Pawan Dahal 650096

6 Pragati Phuyal 650097

7 Roshni Rana 650098

8 Sangita Chaudhary 650099

9 Sanjana Karn 650100

Mr. Kailash Khaki Shrestha

CO-ORDINATOR

DEPARMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH

EDENBURGH INTERNATIONAL COLLEGE

PURBANCHAL UNIVERSITY
BIRATNAGAR, NEPAL
2079
II
 APPROVAL LETTER

This report entitled “public health infrastructure engineering and disaster

management ” submitted by GROUP ( C ) has been accepted for partial fulfillment
of Bachelor in the faculty of public health education by the evaluation and approval
committee.

Mr. Medhanand Jha ……………….

Campus chief signature

Edenburgh International College

Purbanchal University
Biratnagar, Nepal

Mr Kailash khaki Shrestha ………………

Coordinator signature

Mrs Sharmila basnet ……………………..

subject teacher signature

Mr/mrs/miss………………. …………………..

External examiner

signature

III
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
It is our pleasure to offer this report for partial fulfillment of curriculum of Bachelor of
public health, 5th semester.

We students of Bachelor of Public Health 5th semester are very much grateful to
EDENBURGH INTERNATIONAL COLLEGE affiliated by PURBANCHAL
UNIVERSITY for providing us opportunity to carry out a report to fulfill partial
requirement of course code: (BPH305.3 PHIEDM-FBP).

We would like to express gratitude to our campus chief Mr. Medhanand Jha sir, our
coordinator Mr. Kailash Khaki Shrestha sir as well as subject teacher Mrs Sharmila
basnet ma’am for providing invaluable guidance, comments and suggestion throughout
the course of our report. We would also like to express our heartfelt thanks to
Edenburgh International College Library for helping us with our report. We would
also like to express our sincere appreciation and grateful thanks to our family,
colleagues all those individuals who helped us directly or indirectly during preparation of
this report.
IV
 CONTENTS

RECOMMENDATION LETTER II

APPROVAL LETTER III

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT IV

PUBLIC HEALTH INFRASTRUCTURE-

-ENGINEERING AND DISASTER MANAGEMENT 1

• Public health 1
• Public health infrastructures 1
• Public health engineering 1
• Disaster 1
• Disaster Management 1

INTRODUCTION 2

MANAGEMENT 4

OBJECTIVES 7

CONCLUSION 9

BIBILOGRAPHY 10

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 Public health infrastructure engineering and disaster management

INTRODUCTION

Public health

Art and science of preventing, prolonging life and promoting health through the informed
choices of the society , organization public and private committee and individual.

Public health infrastructure

Infrastructure related to promotive health services, preventive health

including environmental health, occupational health safety structure in work places for
the health and wellbeing of public can be defined as public health infrastructure.

Public health engineering

Art and science of preventing, prolonging life and promoting health through the informed
choices of the society organization public and private committee and individual efforts
for the sanitation of the environment .

Disaster

A serious disruption of the functioning of society which poses a significant, wide spread
threat to human life, health property or the environment whether arising from
accident, nature or human activities whether developing suddenly or as the result of
long term process but excluding armed conflict .(international federation of red cross
2007 )

Disaster management

Disaster management is the organization and management of resources and responsibility

for dealing with all humanitarian aspect of emergency in particular preparedness

,response and recovery in order to lessen the impact of disaster.

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 Introduction

The weather/climate-related disasters include events (e.g., earthquakes, glacial

lake outburst floods, landslides floods (both flash and riverine) and droughts).
Hydro- meteorological events are defined as “Water-Induced Disasters (WIDs)”.
Or
Simply, problems and damages which occur due to heavy and uncontrollable water flow
mainly in rivers or problems induced by lack of water, damage and problems involved by
the water is known as water induced disaster .

Water-induced disasters (WIDs) are recurring events which result in significant human
sufferings every year .

Nepal is one of the most disaster-prone country in the world ranking 4th, 11th, and 30th
with regards to climate-related hazards, earthquakes, and flood hazards, respectively
.Nepal’s unique geo-physical setting, topographical diversity, ecological variability ,
varied climate and natural hazards has made it vulnerable to natural disasters in
general, and climate-related disasters in particular.

National scenario of water induced disaster.

Nepal is one of the vulnerable countries in the world due to its fragile landscape,
climate sensitive ecosystem and socioeconomic circumstances. . The effects of
environmental changes in high mountainous areas, such as the Himalayan region, have
been drawing significant attention of the scientists in recent years. Additionally, Nepal is
on the frontline of climate change with a wide array of climate and habitats varying from
the freezing Himalayas of the north to the hot lowland plains of the south (ICIMOD
2009).

According to UNDP/BCPR (2007), Nepal ranks 11th in the world from the earthquake
vulnerability standpoint. Likewise, the country is in 30th place from flood aspect. In
another similar report from World Bank (2005), Nepal is classified as one of the
frequently natural disaster reoccurrence country. Official statistics of recent years
reported that about 1000 people die in Nepal every year due to the natural hazard events;
about 300 deaths occur only due to floods and landslides. The country suffers a direct loss
of an average of nearly NRs 1208 million per year (MoHA 2010). The accompanied
indirect losses, in terms of lost time and opportunities, and the lack of services and the
repercussions there of, may be several times more than the above figure. This is a huge
impact to neglect, especially if one considers that the losses due to natural hazards are
2
increasingly alarming. Landslides, riverbank erosion, flood and drought are the common
 disaster reported in the country . Geographically, disaster, such as landslides are dominant
in the Mountain and Siwalik. During the monsoon season flood disrupts the lives of
people sometimes even resulting to death .flood is most common water induced disaster in
terai region every year thousands of family are left homeless due to flood causing serious
agricultural loss in cultiavtive are sometimes leading to food insecurity to most of farmers
family and likewise landslide is one of the major water induced disaster every year leading
to large number of death and missing following by economical and health problems to the
family .For example, from 2011 to 2014, 395 persons died due to floods; 376 due to
landslides; 95 due to heavy rainfall (GoN, 2015). About an equal number of people were
also missing and presumed dead from these WIDs. In all these instances of disasters, the
section of the society that is oftentimes the most affected is the women, children, and the
elderly. For instance, during the Koshi River Flood of 2008, of the 4,634 families
registered in various camps in Sunsari district alone, there were 333 pregnant women, 200
post-partum mothers, 131 disabled men and women, and 581 elderly people (OCHA,
2008).

According to mansoon related disaster report 2079 prepared by (moha

/GoN)

S.N Water Incident No of No of No of Effected

induced number death contactless injured household
disaster
1 Landslide 310 92 17 80 1968

2 Flood 53 19 15 17 136

3 Heavy rainfall 163 8 0 18 201

Total water induces 526 119 32 115 2305

incidents

This were the number of death, contactless and injured number of people from different
parts of Nepal reported to ministry of home affair on this year during mansoon which was
started from jestha 22 .yearly like wise large number of people are suffering death injury
and associated health and economical problems caused by the water induced disaster
where landslides always hits the highest incidents and mortality and morbidity in the
disaster reports charts also causing nation every year people, social peace and economical
loss through out the mostly hilly parts of country .

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 MANAGEMENT

Unstable steep slopes, weak and fragile geological formation of young mountains along
with heavy monsoon rainfall make Nepal one of the most hazardous areas in the world.
About 80% of the total land area of Nepal is hilly and many villages are situated on or
adjacent to unstable hill slopes. Mainly in the inner terai and valleys are inundated and
fields are filled with sediments every year due to floods during the monsoon season and
landslide in Himalaya reason making it one of the most water induced disaster in
Nepal killing thousand of people and effecting thousand of household especially
women, childrens and elderly people .

Mitigation
Mitigation is the effort to reduce loss of life and property by lessening the impact of
disasters. Mitigation is taking action now- before the next disaster- to reduce human and
financial consequences later. mitigation at the property level may also involve
preventative measures focused on the building site, including scour protection for
shoreline developments, improving rainwater in filtration through the use of permeable
paving materials and grading away from structures. In environmental engineering, the
mitigation involves the management and control of flood water movement, such as
redirecting flood run-off through the use of floodwalls and flood gates, afforestation for
the prevention of landslides, making of wall , not constructing housing of infrastructure
on landslide porn are , declaring landslide porn area and prohibiting housing and
movement during monsoon rather than trying
to prevent altogether. It also involves the management of people, through
measures such as evacuation.

Preparedness
Preparedness is considered as one of the main activities to save life and property of the
people. Preparedness includes plans, preparation and provision made in advance for
carrying out activities when the area is being hit by the disaster . Preparedness is a major
phase of emergency management, and is particularly valued in areas of competition
such as sport and military science. Methods of preparation include research, estimation,

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planning resourcing, education, practicing and rehearsing. Evacuation plan, assemble a
disaster supply kit, establish a communication plan between family, drainage system
should be clear and builders should ask for permission before building erection these
are some preparedness for forecasting and early warning system has been provide
efficient and cost effective method for minimizing the negative impacts of disasters.
The purpose of flood forecasting and warning is to give advice about impending
disasters so that people can act to minimize the disasters’s negative impacts. Important
disasters
detector which can ring on an alarm at the time of disaster can huge beneficial.

Response
The aim of emergency response is to provide immediate assistance to maintain life,
improve health and support the morale of affected population. Such assistance may
range from providing specific but limited aid, such as assisting refugees with transport,
temporary shelter, and food, to establishing semi-permanent settlement in camps and
other locations. Humanitarian organizations are often strongly present in this phase of
the disaster management cycle. Develop and maintain an emergency preparedness kit
that will get you through the first 72 hours of an event, keep appropriate tools including a
flashlight and an adjustable wrench, where they will be readily accessible when you need
them. Keep emergency supplies gathered in a portable and flood\rodent-proof container
with food, water, safety and hygiene supplies for all family members. The aims of
response for the flood disaster are evacuation, migration, administrating first aid,
transportation of affected people to hospital, discuss the restoration of essential services
and rescue work.

Recovery
As the emergency is brought under control, the affected population is capable of
undertaking a growing numbering of activities aimed at restoring their lives and the
infrastructure that supports them. There is no distinct point at which immediate relief
changes into recovery and then into long-term sustainable development. Recovery
activities continue until all systems return to normal or better. It includes temporary
housing, public information, health and safety education, reconstruction, counseling
programs and economic impacts studies. Flood recovery will take place in overlapping
response and recovery stages. Recovery should be woven directly into response actions,

5
 Disaster Management Policies Initiatives in Nepal

Nepal has made a notable progress in climate action and disaster risk management over the
decades with a number of legal and institutional reforms to address the worsening situation
of populations exposed to the cumulative risk of natural hazards and climate change.

Year Policy highlight Key feature

1) 1982 Natural Disaster Relief Act The first and main legal instrument. It is
specifically directed towards disaster management in Nepal.
2) 1996 National Action Plan for Risk Management Focused on plan for devising the necessary
measures for all kinds of natural disasters.
3) 10th National Plan (2002-2007) Incorporated in 10th National plan First time introduced
the disaster management plan and program in National Plan.
4) 2005 Signatory of the Hyogo Framework for Action (2005-2015) Countries that develop
policy, legislative and institutional frameworks for disaster risk reduction; Building the
Resilience of Nations and Communities to Disasters.
5) 2009 National Strategy for Disaster Risk Management (NSDRM) Developed on the basis of
Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA) 2005 and its vision was Disaster Resilience Nepal.
6) 2011 Guiding Notes on Disaster Preparedness and Response Planning Disaster preparedness
and response planning process at the district level and local level 2011 Climate Change
Policy Nepal Provides multiple avenues for addressing the adverse impacts of a changing
climate and natural hazards
7) 2013 National Disaster Response Framework (NDRF) Provides a clear, concise, and
comprehensive framework for the country to deliver a more effective and coordinated
national response in the event of a large-scale disaster.
8) 2015 SFDRR- framework The Government adopted Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk
Reduction (SFDRR), The concept of ‘Build Back Better’; a move away from silos to working
on integrated model of recovery.
9) 2015 PDNA Report, NPC Develop policy and plan for long-term reconstruction to restore not
only lost assets but also to rebuild lives in the country.
10) 2015 New Constitutions of Nepal: Article 51. Policy regarding conservation, management
and use of natural resources Clause No. 9. The State shall formulate and pursue a policy of
designing a pre-warning system, disaster preparedness, rescue, relief works and rehabilitation
in order to minimize the risks of natural disasters. Source: MoHA (2013); MoE (2011); GoN
(2015); NPC (2015) -| 66 |- Disaster management (DM) in Nepal.

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 General Objectives

 Prepare a comprehensive review report based on water induced disaster .

Specific objectives
1) To review the national senario of water induced disaster in Nepal .

2) To review different reports, data and prepare report about the

effects of the water induced disaster in context of human life and
nature in Nepal.
3) To review measures and preparedness done by Nepal and
legal plan and policies about water induced disaster in Nepal .

The following are the sector-related policies to deal with water induced
disaster risk management:

1) National Building Act 2007,

2) Building Code 1994,

3) Soil and Water Conservation Act 1982

4) Environment Protection Act 1996

5) National Shelter Policy 1996

6) National Water Resource Strategy 2002

7) Water Induced Disaster Management Policy 2006

8) Health Related Policies Climate Change Policy 2011

9) Land Use Policy 2013

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Institutional arrangements and activities on disaster management (DM)
from national, district to local level
MoHA is responsible for formulation of the national policies and their implementation,
preparedness and mitigation of disasters, immediate rescue and relief work, coordination
and mobilization of all the stakeholders, data collection and dissemination, collection
and distribution of funds and resources. The ministry is the nodal agency for the Central
Natural Disaster Relief Committee (CNDRC), and is headed by the Minister for Home
Affairs. Local government institutions Nepal has now 77 districts development
committees (DDCs), and currently 753 local body municipalities . These are local-level
government institutions empowered by the constitution of Nepal 2015 and Local Self
Governance Act 1999 to coordinate development activities under the leadership and
guidance of the Chief District Officer (CDO) who is the representative of the central
government in the district. At the district level District Disaster Reduction Management
Committee has been formed under the chairpersonship of the District Administration
Officer by involving all stakeholders to implement all disaster management activities.
8
 CONCLUSION

Nepal has faced many types of disaster as it lies in high risk seismic zone as well as
due to its young fragile mountain chain. The recent devastating flood landslide and
heavey rainfall during 2079 monsoon has resulted to 119 death and effected 2305
household through out. In recent years, significant efforts have been made to identify the
disaster risk reduction activities in Nepal in order to optimize the outcomes of
implementation followed by positive impact. Analysis of the different policy and
program documents as well as field level consultation showed paradigm shift in disaster
management from “response and recovery” to “prevention and preparedness”. Policy,
programme, activities and institutional arrangement from national to local level have
been formulated and implemented for reduction of disaster. It is noticed that local
institutions are active in disaster management activities in the flood prone area of the Terai
district. It is also found that communitybased disaster management and early warning
system were effective to reduce the vulnerability from flood the quality of governance,
at all levels, is likely to be the biggest challenge for effective initiation,
integration and implementation of disaster management activities at the local level
particularly, for the poor and vulnerable communities. It is suggested that disaster
management activities should be mainstreamed in the development and livelihood
support program in the Nepalese context.

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 Literature citation

 Ministry of Home Affairs (2015) Nepal Disaster Risk Reduction Portal, MoHA,
Government of Nepal, Kathmandu, Nepal. http://drrportal.gov.np/risk-profileof- nepal.

 Disaster Management outlook in Nepal (in Nepali version), Compiled and

published by Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Federal Affairs and Local
Development, Government of Nepal, Kathmandu, Nepal.
 Ministry of Physical Planning and Works (2015): Recommendation for Update of Nepal
National Building Code: Final Report,’ Government of Nepal, Ministry of Physical
Planning and Works and UNDP/ERRRP, 2009, 2015), Kathmandu.
 Action (2012): Climate change Adapation and Disaster Management Project,
Progress Report, Practical Action Nepal. Sharma K, P., Charles J. V

 ., Berrien M. (2000): Sensitivity of the Himalayan hydrology to land-use and

climatic changes. Climatic Change 47: 117–139.
 Shrestha K. L., Shrestha M. L., Shakya N. M., Ghimire M. L., Sapkota B. K.
(2003): -| 76 |- Climate change and water resources of Nepal.
 In Muhammed, A. and Hansen, F. J. (eds.), Climate Change and Water Resources in
South Asia: Proceedings of year end workshop, Kathmandu, Nepal, 7–9 January
2003, Kathmandu, Nepal
 Karky B. S., Sharma E. (2011): Climate change in the Hindu Kush-Himalayas: The state
of current knowledge.
 UNDP/BCPR (2007): Governance for Disaster Risk Management ‘How To’
Guide; a conference draft.United Nations Development Program/ Bureau for Crisis
Prevention and Recovery, June 2007.
 Aryal K. R. (2014): Disaster vulnerability in Nepal. International Journal of
Disaster Risk Reduction, Vol. 9, pp-137-146.
 Government of Nepal (2015): Constitution of Nepal 2015. Government of Nepal,
Kathmandu
 Ministry of Federal Affairs (2017): Nagarpalika and Gaupalika list, Ministry of
Federal Affairs and Local Development (MoFALD), Nepal. http://www.
mofald.gov.np/en/nepal-nagarpalika-gaupalika-list

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