Transcript Research and Education Network Nepal

Disaster Prevention Monitoring through
Wireless Networking and Filed Server
Prashant Manandhar
Nepal Research & Education Network (NREN).
26th 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 - 3252 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
Mahakali Basin
Karnali Basin
Gandaki Basin
Koshi Basin
Glacial lakes - 2323
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 ImjaTso
Imja Glacier Retreat and Growing Lake
Source: Hiromichi FUKUI, Faculty of Policy Management,
Global Security Research Center, Keio University
•CORONA
•SPACE SHUTTLE
15 DEC 1962
DEC 1983
•ENVISAT, ASAR, 18 October 2007
•LANDSAT TM
1992
•Quickbird Jan 2006
•IRS ID PAN 19
MAR 2001
•IRS LISS3
2005
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
Wireless Network from Imja Lake to Namche Bazar –
4 days walk
 Everest
 Everest base camp
 Kalapathar
 Khumbu Glacier
 Loboche (Pyramid)
 Chhukung Ri
 Imja lake
25 Km
 Phortse
 Dingboche
 Tengboche
 Namche bazaar
 Quangde
 Pangboche
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
802.11b/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
Vulnerability and risk assessment
(Near) Real time monitoring
Networking of field sensor and transmission
station
Wireless Sensor Network
http://fsds.dc.affrc.go.jp/data4/Himalayan
http://de04.gsec.keio.ac.jp:9080/glacier/ses
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!
[email protected]
www.nren.net.np