observer. Binauna DMC also assured that after receiving the warning from Thapa the community had started preparation at household level by collecting their belongings and livestocks. Whereas, the task force and DMC members were on high alert to respond in case of emergency. Around 12:30 PM the water level in the upstream had increased to 4.90m and by 2:35 PM it had reached 5.30m. A reading of 5.40 meant a possible flood in the downstream. Fortunately, the water level fell Bhadra Bahadur Thapa, gauge observer at upstream gauging station in Kusum Fortunately after few hours the community got another call from Thapa informing them that the water level had decreased to 5.4m and the community was no longer at risk of flooding. The DMC then informed everyone about the water level and also called for a meeting to discuss on the present water level readings. Though Binauna VDC escaped flooding that time around, quick communication from upstream to downstream helped alert those most at risk and allowed them to prepare for safe evacuation. The incident prompted the community to raise the danger level to 6.0m (upstream) for the future. back to 4.90m by 9:00 PM. On 20th July, Thapa alerted all downstream Real time evaluation of CBEWS Continuous rainfall for several days in the mid western region of Nepal on 19 July 2010 worried the community, district stakeholders and other project staff in Banke District, especially from Binauna VDC. At 9:30 AM the water level in Kusum was 3.90m, but in Bhalubhang the water level had already reached 5.40m. Bhadra Bahadur Thapa, the gauge observer informed the down stream community that the situation might get worse by afternoon if the rain continued pouring at the same On the other hand, when the community people were contacted to disseminate the information on water level it was known that they had already contacted the gauge pace. Hence, Thapa immediately informed Basu Dev Dahal, CDO of Banke District. The CDO then informed the police, army, NRCS, media and other stakeholders for an emergency meeting. He emphasised all security forces to be on alert for search and rescue. communites and other stakeholders that the water level had risen to 5.40m from 4.90m in five hours due to heavy rainfall in Piuthan District. After being alerted, the DMC member in Binauna VDC operated the hand siren to about the whole community. The community prepared for evacuation again. Around 4:30 PM the water level had gone up to 5:80m and the siren was operated for the second time. Hand mike was also being operated. Other task force had been on stand by, while some community members had already evacuated to the shelter following the pre identified evacuation route. Dr. Dilip using telemetric system for flood forecasting 25 26
Practical Action,