Case Studies on Flash Flood Risk Management in the Himalayas In support of specific flash flood policies

ICIMOD, in collaboration with various partners, has compiled and published resource materials on flash flood risk management to support capacity development and especially the training of planners and practitioners. As part of these efforts, ICIMOD published a set of resource manuals on flash flood risk management through community based management covering structural and non-structural measures. The case studies in this publication provide evidence to help practitioners influence policy and decision makers in ICIMOD s regional member countries. The studies provide evidence in support of a number of recommendations above all that the countries of the region should develop policies and strategies specific to flash flood risk management, integrate flash flood management in watershed and water resource management, improve preparedness at all levels, and promote effective early warning systems. They should also empower communities to play a central role in flash flood management and collaborate with other countries for transboundary management of flash floods. The studies also demonstrate the need for institutional strengthening, flash flood modelling and hazard mapping, and the development and implementation of land use guidelines and building codes. Furthermore, countries should strengthen national networks of hydrological and meteorological observation and document flash flood events in a systematic way to enhance understanding. This publication has been produced as part of the project Flash Flood Risk Reduction Strengthening Capacity in the Hindu Kush Himalayas , supported by the United States Agency for International Development, Office for Foreign Disaster Assistance (USAID/OFDA).