Integrated Flood Risk Management and Nature Based Solutions in Nepal using NIRA

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Benefit

While data and analytics at this

scale does not provide detailed

solutions, the tool can be used

to steer investment decisions

and technical studies that will

have the best chance of

impact. NIRA can be used to

weigh-up combinations of

measures that would provide

the equivalent level of risk

reduction to traditional

approaches, whilst providing

greater co-benefits.

A set of opportunity maps for four

categories of IFRM - property level

protection, dykes/embankments,

nature-based solutions (runoff interception,

floodplain connection, riparian planting)

and flood warning - were also developed

and used in combination with adjustments

to the risk calculation to estimate the

relative benefits. The outputs were built

into an on-line mapping App called NIRA

(National Integrated Risk Analytics), which

visualizes the data produced and allows a

user to explore the potential costs and

benefits of different combinations of

measures.

By using NIRA, it was possible to identify those districts/regions in Nepal that are at

greatest risk of flooding. More importantly, it is a powerful tool that is being used to identify

those districts where there are the greatest opportunities with respect to IFRM and

nature-based solutions.