Multi-hazard warning system installed in Ghamdanda

By Naurate Nepali

Jumla, Oct. 19: Chandannath Municipality in Jumla has installed a multi-hazard siren system at Ward No. 6 of the municipality.

The siren will alert residents living within a one-kilometre radius during emergencies.  According to Tek Bahadur Budha Thapa, Chief Administrative Officer of the municipality, the siren system includes both audio-based emergency warnings and information broadcasting features.

The system has been set up to ensure that timely information about disasters such as floods, landslides, fires and hailstorms reaches local residents. It is operated through the municipality’s local emergency operation centre.

Thapa said the multi-hazard information system (siren) will provide alerts about weather forecasts, floods, landslides, fires, and hailstorms. The equipment allows microphone announcements, siren alerts and message notifications to residents’ mobile phones. The system was installed jointly by the Super Project run by the Nepal Red Cross Society, Jumla District Branch, and Chandannath Municipality, at a total cost of Rs. 691,000.

Ishora Subedi, District Project Officer of the Red Cross Super Project, said the installation aims to provide early warnings of potential disasters like heavy rainfall, floods, landslides, accidents, fires and hailstorms, helping to reduce human and material losses.

Raju Singh Kathayat, Mayor of the municipality, said that the early warning system will help make residents more alert and prepared for disasters. The siren can be heard within a one-kilometre radius, giving the public enough time to take safety measures once an alert is sounded.

The municipality is also preparing to install similar siren systems in Ward Nos. 8 and 9, including the Bayalkatiya area.