DHM, an Introduction
Government of Nepal started hydrological and meteorological activities in an organized
way in 1962. The activities were initiated as a section under the Department of
Electricity. The section was subsequently transferred to the Department of Irrigation and
Department Irrigation, Hydrology and Meteorology was formed. Later on in 1988, a
separate department of Hydrology and Meteorology was established.
The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology (DHM) is an organization under the
Ministry of Environment, Government of Nepal. The department with headquarter in
Kathmandu has three basin offices under Hydrological Network Section namely Karnali
Basin Office in Nepalganj, Narayani Basin Office in Narayanghat and Kosi Basin Office
in Biratnagar and three regional offices under Meteorological Network Division namely
Mid and Far Western Regional Office at Surkhet, Western Regional Office at Pokhara
and Eastern Regional Office at Dharan.
DHM has a mandate from Government of Nepal to monitor all the hydrological and
meteorological activities in Nepal. No agency is entitled to carry out such activities
without a proper liaison with DHM. The scope of work includes the monitoring of river
hydrology, climate, agro-meteorology, sediment, air quality, water quality, limnology,
snow hydrology, glaciology, wind and solar energy. DHM provides general and aviation
weather forecasts, forecasting and early warning of hydro-meteorological hazards; and
contributes to the global exchange of meteorological data on a regular basis as a member
of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).
DHM actively participates in the programs of relevant international organizations, such
as, the UNESCO's International Hydrological Program (IHP) and WMO's Operational
Hydrology Program (OHP). In the past, DHM has hosted several regional and
international workshops, symposia, seminars and meetings on different aspects of
meteorology, hydrology, sediment, and snow hydrology. The department is also a focal
point for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and for the
meteorological activities of the South Asian Association for Regional Co-operation
(SAARC). The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has recognized DHM
as an authority to provide meteorological services for international flights.
The Principal Activities of DHM
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Collect and disseminate hydrological and meteorological information for water
resources, agriculture, energy, and other development activities.
Collect and disseminate hydrological and meteorological information for water
resources, agriculture, energy, and other development activities.
Issue meteorological forecasts for public, mountaineering expedition, civil
aviation, agriculture and for the mitigation of natural disasters.
Develop operational flood forecasting and early warning system for major flood
prone rivers of Nepal.
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Conduct special studies required for the policy makers and for the development of
hydrological and meteorological sciences in the region.
Promote relationship with national and international organizations in the field of
hydrology and meteorology.
Organizational Setup
The Director General heads DHM. The present Organizational Chart has four divisions
headed by Deputy Director Generals: Hydrology Division, Climatology Division,
Meteorological Forecasting Division and Meteorological Network Division. Hydrology
Division has five major sections: Hydrological Network Section, Flood Forecasting
Section, Snow, Water Quality and Environment Section, Hydrological Data Management
Section and Technical Relation and Arrangement Section. Similarly, the sections under
the Climatology Division include: Climatology Section, Agro-meteorology Section,
Instruments Section and Meteorological Data Management Section. The Meteorological
Forecasting Division has three main units: the Communication Unit, Aviation Unit, and
General Weather Forecast Unit.
Meteorological Network Division is primarily responsible for operation and maintenance
of nationwide meteorological stations network. It has the three regional offices and the
Planning and Network Section at central office.
The Principal Activities of Flood Forecasting Project
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Establish, operate and manage flood forecasting stations and upgrade them with
real time telemetry system.
Collect, process and publish rainfall, water level and discharge data from different
flood forecasting stations.
Assess hazards, vulnerabilities and risks due to floods in major river basins.
Develop river flow forecasting models for major rivers of Nepal.
Establish flood early warning systems on major flood prone rivers of Nepal.
Prepare manuals and guidelines for flood early warning systems.
Coordinate with national, regional and international organizations involved in
disaster risk management.
Contact
Dr. Dilip Kumar Gautam
Chief, Flood Forecasting Section
Department of Hydrology and Meteorology
P. O. Box 406, Kathmandu , Nepal
Tel: +977-1-4262974,4262411 (Office)
977-1-5554892 (Res.), 977-9841398218 (mobile)
Fax: +977-1-4262348, 4254890
E-mail: dilip.gautam@hydrology.gov.np, dilip_gautam65@yahoo.com