Kathmandu, July 25, 2016:Â Ncell has said it has started providing early warning alerts of possible floods and landslides to its users through SMS.
The company on Friday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology (DHM) for the alerts system. Ncell Managing Director Simon Perkins and DHM Director General Rishi Ram Sharma signed the MoU, under which the DHM will provide SMS content to Ncell and the company will send the SMS to the people living in areas vulnerable to floods and landslides.
As per the MoU, Ncell will provide forecast and early warning information on hydro-meteorology related disasters such as floods and landslides through mass SMS to the people living in the downstream of West Rapti, Narayani, Kankai, Koshi, Bagmati, Karnali, Babai and Kamala River.
DHM will trigger the messaging based on water level in rivers, following which Ncell will immediately send early warning SMS from short code number 1155 to the customers based on real time situation, read an Ncell statement.
After receiving messages about water levels crossing the danger level, people can move to government-designated safe locations with their belongings.
As soon as the water level returns to normal, SMS alerts will again be sent to inform them that there is no immediate risk.
Ncell joined hands with the DHM for the implementation of early warning system as part of its corporate social responsibility.
“Flow of SMS to customers before occurrence of flood and landslide will contribute in saving human lives and reduce loss of property,†said Perkins. “We are much delighted to be a part of this noble project.â€
Each year, the country witnesses loss of human lives and property due to natural disasters like landslides and floods.
“This collaboration with Ncell, we will help make people living in the risk prone areas to be pre-informed and remain safe,†said DHM Director General Sharma. “It is a good initiative. We will continue to add more locations in coming days.â€
