Disaster Prevention Monitoring through Wireless Networking and Filed Server Prashant Manandhar Nepal Research & Education Network (NREN). 26 th APAN Meeting, August 2008 Queenstown, New Zealand

Glacial Lake out burst and extreme weather Monitoring, Partner with NARC, APAN JP, KEIO University Japan Imja Glacial Lake Base of Island Peak Formed by melting of glaciers Large Lake, narrow outlet Stones and pebbles Water level is rising Global Warming Risk of Glacial Lake Out-Burst (GLOB) Several villages downstream might be affected directly if the lake bursts Freezing Wireless – SANOG XI, Dhaka, Bangladesh

Impact of Climate Change in the Himalayas Rate of increase of warming by 0.15 °C to 0.6 °C per decade Rate of glaciers shrinking is higher in recent decades The numbers of Glacial lakes are increasing in the high Himalayas Glacial lakes outburst floods (GLOFs) Nepal Context 8 out of 10 highest Mountains in the world Total Glaciers covering 5223 sq. km in Nepal 2323 glacial lakes in Nepa ( Source: ICIMOD and UNEP)

Potentially dangerous glacial lakes Source: Hiromichi FUKUI, Faculty of Policy Management, Global Security Research Center, Keio University

Glaciers and glacial lakes in Nepal Glacial lakes Koshi Basin Mahakali Basin Karnali Basin Gandaki Basin

THE HIGHEST RISK; GLACIAL LAKE OUTBRUST FLOOD The highest risk from climate change is the increasing risk of Glacial Lake Outburst Flood Impacts UPON mountain eco-system Displaces downstream villages Further south, huge damage to corps and other livelihoods Big Damage due to Dig Tso burst in 1985 Preventive work done in only in Tso Rolpa Current Research Work between NREN, ICIMOD, DNPW, Keio University, NARC/NARO Japan and APAN-JP on Imja- Tso

IRS LISS3 2005IRS LISS Quickbird Jan 2006Quickbird Jan 2006 ENVISAT, ASAR, 18 October 2007ENVISAT, ASAR, 18 October 2007 LANDSAT TM 1992LANDSAT TM 1992 CORONACORONA 15 DEC 1962 IRS ID PAN 19IRS ID PAN 19 MAR 2001 MAR 2001 SPACE SHUTTLESPACE SHUTTLE DEC 1983 DEC 1983 Imja Glacier Retreat and Growing Lake Source: Hiromichi FUKUI, Faculty of Policy Management, Global Security Research Center, Keio University

Glacial Lake out burst and extreme weather Monitoring, Partner with NARC, APAN JP, KEIO University Japan Imja Glacial Lake, 5100 ~ 5200m Base of Island Peak Formed by melting of glaciers Large Lake, narrow outlet Stones and pebbles Water level is rising Global Warming Risk of Glacial Lake Out-Burst (GLOB) Several villages downstream might be affected directly if the lake bursts Freezing Wireless – SANOG XI, Dhaka, Bangladesh

Imja Lake at 5,110 m

Objectives To demonstrate the real time monitoring of Imja glacial lake as a pilot study To provide early warning and save the lives of people living downstream and properties, infrastructure and environment To build local area Wireless network (wifi) between the villages and connect with VSAT terminal to provide Internet connectivity and access for the local community

Wireless Relay at Chhukung with Prof. Hiramichi Fukui

Pangboche Dingboche Namche bazaar Chhukung Ri Kalapathar Quangde Tengboche Loboche (Pyramid) Phortse Everest base camp Imja lake Khumbu Glacier Everest 25 Km Wireless Network from Imja Lake to Namche Bazar – 4 days walk Wireless Network from Imja Lake to Namche Bazar – 4 days walk

Connectivity FieldServer Namche-2FS 27°48'21.74"N, 86°42'25.85"E (3500m) 1FS-Sagarmatha National Park Office, views - Mt. Everest, Mt. Amadablam and Mt. Lotse and Others Imjatso (Imja Lake)- 2FS, 1 in Lake, 1 in Island Peak Ridge. 27°53'51.00"N, 86°55'23.09"E (5100m) Altitude 5100 ~ 5200m Internet for the rural towns at the Everest region Small towns, scattered throughout the region, No basic utilities – electricity, telephone No schools or hospitals, Nearest hospital is 1 ~ 2 days trek Extreme Climate Extremely cold winters, Temperature -30 °C during night, Very cold wind Accessibility Walk on foot Yaks, Jhapkyos and Porters Freezing Wireless – SANOG XI, Dhaka, Bangladesh

GPS Server, Early Warning Systems and Field Sever Sensors Monitor environment Monitor water level IP Camera b/g WiFi Data Collected by AgentServer in Namche Relayed to and analysed in NARC, Japan, e-Lab Freezing Wireless – SANOG XI, Dhaka, Bangladesh

Regular Monitoring, Early Warning and Mitigation Measures Simulation of GLOF Simulation of GLOF Vulnerability and risk assessment Vulnerability and risk assessment (Near) Real time monitoring (Near) Real time monitoring Networking of field sensor and transmission station Networking of field sensor and transmission station Wireless Sensor Network Wireless Sensor Network ordata.html

Real Time Image of Imja Lake (2007/11/13, 12:54 PM)

Pictures of field server deployment

Freezing Wireless – SANOG XI, Dhaka, Bangladesh

Latest Information of Glacial Project

Current NREN Activity in Mt. Everest Region Our efforts are to connect medical across regions to collaborate Help ongoing research in high altitude sickness and associated areas Setup training mechanism to help health workers in remote areas to contact / converse over networking mediums to experts in hospitals. Other software than can assist in these.

Fiel Server in Namche Bazar, 3700mtr.

Lessons Learned ICT technologies can help in monitoring and documenting climate changes. Will also help in taking preventive measures. ICT can also increase the awareness in local communities about potential hazards A public private partnership between local communities, government, service providers and scientific researchers can only get the work done.

Technology Lessons Learned Wireless Network can be made to work in remotest areas Low power self sufficient devices embedded with appropriate sensors are needed to avoid big impact on fragile ecosystem Power storing technology still needs more work for remote and cold areas.

Next Steps Enhanced observation, monitoring Promote exchange of data and information Enhance cooperative studies among other area Promote capacity building Consider systematic way for mitigation and adaptation

Our Next Plan for Climate Changes Deploy more wireless enabled field stations Weather stations, sensor network, field servers Build a network from Everest region to Dhaulagiri /Annapurna region to monitor changes happening between the six 8000m+ and several 7000m+ mountains in the region.

Mount Everest to Dhaulagiri ~ 370 KM

Thank you!