ICIMOD

Indoor pollution poses health risks in rural heartlands Despite Bhutan’s commendable strides in clean energy, household air pollution remains a persistent and overlooked threat, accounting for 32.8 percent of the country’s overall air pollution.

The study, conducted by the Jigme Singye Wangchuck School of Law (JSW Law) and the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), surveyed 305 households in Haa in November 2024 and Lingzhi, Thimphu in April this year.

Learn more: kuenselonline.com/news/indoor-...

A recent study under the collaborative project 'Clean Energy for Better Air: Health Impacts and Inclusivity' sheds light on how indoor air pollution disproportionately affects rural households, particularly women and children.

While electricity coverage is robust, many Bhutanese households continue to rely on firewood for cooking and heating, posing challenges that require sustainable solutions.

Despite Bhutan's commendable strides in clean energy, household air pollution remains a persistent and overlooked threat, accounting for 32.8 percent of the country's overall air pollution.

Prakop Alert - Mobile App Prakop Alert offers real-time weather and flood forecasts. This free app provides detailed information in Nepali and English on rainfall, temperature, wind, lightning, and streamflow for rivers in…

The app is available in both Nepali and English. Download it now from the Android Play Store: play.google.com/store/apps/d...

Learn more about the Prakop Alert here: doi.org/10.53055/ICI...

#RegionalInformationSystem #RIS #DataForImpact

This app is particularly targeted at communities in disaster-prone areas, disaster risk reduction practitioners, and humanitarian organisations offering timely forecasts to save lives and prevent damage to property.

The Prakop Alert uses data from ICIMOD’s High-Impact Weather Assessment Toolkit (HIWAT) and the Flash Flood Prediction Tool (FFPT) to provide users with precise and up-to-date data information that supports informed decision-making and proactive risk mitigation.

Prakop Alert - Apps on Google Play 2 day flash flood and weather forecasts for Nepal

Developed by the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), Danish Red Cross and the Nepal Red Cross Society with the latest update deployed on 7 July 2024, the app offers early forecast information on weather and flood two days in advance.

Prakop Alert is a mobile application that provides timely and accurate weather and flood forecasting information to users, enabling proactive measures to mitigate risks associated with extreme weather events such as rainfall, temperature, wind, lightning, and potential floods.

Do catch the interview at 8 pm on Wednesday on AP1 Television.

#MadheshCrisis #NepalDrought #FoodSecurity #ClimateImpact #TooMuchTooLittleWater #DisasterRiskReduction #Farmers #Rice

Our experts, Neera Shrestha Pradhan and Sravan Shrestha, spoke to television host Chandra Baniya on the talk show ‘Bishayantar’ sharing insights and practical recommendations on how to address this crisis and ease the pressure on farmers.

ICIMOD continues to work closely with MoALD to assess the situation and support farmers.

This isn’t just a local issue. If the situation doesn’t improve, Nepal could face a shortfall of up to 400,000 – 450,000 metric tons in rice production, translating to an approx. 10% drop in national supply. Even if the rains eventually come in August, it may be too late.

In Mahottari, Dhanusha, and Siraha districts, which account for 39% of rice production in Madhesh Province, 60–70% of rice fields are facing extreme drought.

Satellite data analysis by ICIMOD in collaboration with Nepal’s Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development (MoALD) shows a troubling picture:
35–40% of the rice cropping area in Madhesh Province is under extreme stress.

Farmers here are badly affected. Only 51.8% of rice has been transplanted, compared to 92% by the end of July last year. Many farmers couldn’t even prepare their fields or save their seedlings. The traditional cropping calendar is now completely off track.

What we’re seeing is a perfect storm: a failed 2025 monsoon, a dry winter that left ponds and wells empty, and planted crops withering from a lack of water.

Nepal’s Madhesh Province, often called the country’s ‘grain basket’ is now experiencing a severe drought, and has been declared a “disaster affected zone” by the Government of Nepal. The region is facing all forms of drought – meteorological, hydrological, agricultural, and socio-economic.

‘Too Much, Too Little Water’ crisis unfolding in Madhesh Province, Nepal

ICIMOD signs key MoUs and engages with Pakistan’s leadership - ICIMOD In a bid to strengthen science diplomacy and advance climate resilience in the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) region, Director General of ICIMOD, Dr. Pema Gyamtsho, led a high- level delegation to…

These engagements mark a key step toward building stronger institutional partnerships and co-developing climate solutions tailored to the HKH context.

For more information: www.icimod.org/article/icim...

#ScienceDiplomacy #ClimateResilience #HKH #RegionalCooperation #PolicyDialogue #Pakistan

🔹Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI) – to collaborate on research, science-policy dialogue, and climate diplomacy
🔹Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) – to advance joint work on climate resilience, just transitions, and sustainable development

To deepen regional cooperation and knowledge exchange, ICIMOD signed Memoranda of Understanding with two leading think tanks:

The visit included bilateral meetings with key government officials, including Mr. Amir Mohyuddin, Secretary of the Ministry of National Food Security and Research, and strategic dialogues with the National Disaster Management Authority and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

As part of efforts to strengthen science diplomacy and accelerate climate resilience in the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) region, Director General of ICIMOD, Pema Gyamtsho, led a high-level delegation to Pakistan for a series of strategic engagements.

Let’s celebrate those protecting our mountains – for water security, climate justice, and a sustainable future.

Nominations close: 15 Oct 2025

For more information: www.icimod.org/mountainpriz...

Winners will be announced on 11 Dec 2025, the International Day for Mountains.

If you know a Glacier Guardian or a Rangeland Champion working in the HKH nations (Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, Nepal, or Pakistan), nominate them today by filling out this form: forms.icimod.org/mountain-pri...

That’s why ICIMOD’s Dr Andreas Schild Memorial Mountain Prize 2025 will honour:
🔹Glacier Guardians – those preserving glaciers through science, advocacy, and community action.
🔹Rangeland Champions – those working on rangeland restoration and pastoralist resilience.

Two prizes of USD 2,500 each.

2025 is the UN Year of Glaciers’ Preservation, and 2026 is the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists – a global call to protect these vital landscapes.

Rangelands, which quietly span over half the HKH, are degrading under pressure – threatening pastoralist communities, local economies, and biodiversity.

Glaciers, our frozen lifelines, are melting at alarming rates due to rising temperatures and pollution. Without urgent action, we could lose up to 80% of them by 2100.