Flood-ready: Bardiya tests emergency skills in community drill
21 July 2025Communities in Thakurbaba, Bardiya are taking the lead in disaster preparedness. With support from Plan International Nepal and Bheri Environmental Excellence Group, local residents, youth, and police joined a flood rescue simulation drill, building lifesaving skills to protect their own communities when floods strike.
Local leadership in flood preparedness
A simulated flood-disaster response exercise was carried out on 20th July 2025 at Thakurbaba Municipality, Bardiya, organised in partnership with Plan International Nepal and Bheri Environmental Excellence Group (BEE Group), with support from the Armed Police Force, local police, and the Nepal Red Cross Society. Through this collaboration, we and our implementing partner BEE Group are actively working with Thakurbaba Municipality to strengthen community preparedness for humanitarian response in Bardiya, one of the most flood-prone districts in Lumbini Province.
“Preparedness saves lives. By working alongside local governments and communities, we are ensuring that humanitarian action prioritises girls, women, and marginalised groups, equipping them with the tools they need to lead and respond during crises,” said Mina Kumari Parajuli, Regional Manager- West, Plan International Nepal.
“Preparedness saves lives. By collaborating with local governments and communities, we are ensuring that humanitarian action prioritises girls, women, and marginalized groups equipping them with the skills, resources, and confidence they need to lead and respond effectively in times of crisis.”
Mina Kumari Parajuli, Regional Manager West, Plan International Nepal
Municipal police underwent training before taking part in the mock drill. The exercise aimed to demonstrate how local resources, such as ropes, empty jerrycans, bamboo rafts, life jackets, and makeshift boards, can be used to protect lives and property during floods, with emphasis on rescuing women, children, older adults, and persons with disabilities. Emergency first aid was also practised, including arranging ambulances and alerting agencies like the Red Cross, Nepal Police, and Armed Police Forces.
Practical skills for real emergencies
During the recent flood simulation exercise, female participants highlighted the importance of these practical drills in building confidence to respond during emergencies.
“I had never imagined I could learn to rescue someone using simple tools like ropes and jerrycans. Now I feel confident that I can protect my children and neighbours if floods come,” shared a participant from Thakurbaba.
“I had never imagined I could learn to rescue someone using simple tools like ropes and jerrycans. Now I feel confident that I can protect my children and neighbours if floods come.”
Female participant
“This training is not only about rescue; it is about giving women like us the courage to step forward during emergencies,” added another participant.
Participants were also trained in basic resuscitation, including chest compressions and mouth-to-mouth ventilation, critical in flood-related water inhalation cases. The timing of the exercise followed meteorological forecasts predicting above-average rainfall in the region this year, making preparedness essential.
Mayor Tilkaram noted that in previous years, Thakurbaba had suffered significant damage and human losses due to floods and inundations; thus, the exercise aimed to equip municipal police with skills to mitigate such threats effectively. Deputy Mayor Bina Kumari emphasised the Municipality’s goal of building a capable response team through such training-mock drills.
Assistant Chief District Officer Roshan Kumar highlighted that Bardiya is the second highest flood-risk district in Lumbini Province after Rupandehi, emphasising the need for such preparedness efforts. Surya, Chief of the District Coordination Committee, also acknowledged and appreciated the support provided to the local government.
The municipality has already conducted similar exercises in 6 of its 8 local units, including Geruwa and Rajapur, and plans to extend them to the remaining areas.
Laxmi Sharma, Technical Coordinator from BEE Group, emphasised the significance of local partnerships in effective preparedness, “Local preparedness is effective when communities are engaged and take ownership of disaster risk management. This partnership with Plan International Nepal and Thakurbaba Municipality is a step towards safer, more resilient communities.”
“Local preparedness is effective when communities are engaged and take ownership of disaster risk management. This partnership with Plan International Nepal and Thakurbaba Municipality is a step towards safer, more resilient communities.”
Laxmi Sharma, Technical Coordinator, BEE Group
These preparedness initiatives align with Plan International Nepal’s commitment to child-centred and gender-responsive humanitarian action, ensuring that local governments are supported to integrate preparedness within their disaster risk management plans, strengthening community resilience in the face of increasing climate-induced disasters.
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