Nestled in the fragile hills of western Nepal, the small village of Kalche faces a growing climate crisis. Located in Ward No. 1 of Gurbhakot Municipality, within the Gochekhola watershed, Kalche is highly vulnerable to landslides and floods, especially during the monsoon.
Today, 90 households call Kalche home. Yet only 10 are considered safe from natural hazards; 15 lie in high-risk zones and 65 in medium-risk areas. For residents, disaster is not a distant possibility; it is a lived reality.
When Disaster Struck, Twice
Kalche’s vulnerability became painfully clear in 2014 (2071 B.S.), when a period of heavy overnight rainfall triggered devastating landslides and floods. Villagers like Prem Kumari Gharti Chhetri awoke to find nearly a hectare of cultivable farmland, three goat sheds, and 12 goats swept away. Also a community-run flour mill fell victim to the disaster. With roads blocked and no safe shelter nearby, families, including the most vulnerable, had no choice but to remain in their high-risk homes.
Seven years later, in 2021 (2078 B.S.), another landslide struck, destroying about a third of a hectare of farmland. This event placed nine households and the nearby Janasewa Primary School, where 70 children study, under direct threat. The damage was visible in cracks on the ground and houses, and water seeped from multiple points. Despite their previous experience, villagers were once again caught unprepared.
A Community Decides to Act
Determined not to repeat the past, Kalche’s residents began to organise themselves. That is when the PRARAMBH Project stepped in, prioritising Kalche in its mission to build disaster- and climate-resilient communities. The project introduced disaster preparedness training, climate-smart farming, and early warning systems in the area. Villagers learned how to anticipate risk, respond effectively, and safeguard their livelihoods.
Among the most active participants was Prem Kumari, a 43-year-old mother of four who moved to the Kalche area in 2000 (2057 B.S.). She joined the local farmers’ group, attended meetings regularly, and became a member of the WhatsApp group “Gurbhakot Krishi Chautari”, where she now receives daily weather updates and farming tips, and seasonal advice.
Empowering Farmers with Knowledge and Tools
One crucial step was installing a rain gauge in Kalche to record daily rainfall. This simple tool raised awareness of local weather patterns, helping residents link rainfall intensity with landslide risks. Combined with localised forecasts from the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology (DHM) via its toll-free number 1155, farmers like Prem Kumari gained the ability to anticipate hazards and plan their agricultural activities more safely.
“Before the training, we didn’t know how to prepare for disasters or check the weather”, says Prem Kumari, who began her semi-commercial farming journey in 2017 (2074 B.S.). “Now, I call 1155 every evening to get the three-day forecast and share it with neighbours who don’t have phones. If we expect heavy rain, we avoid going to the fields and stay alert for landslides. We also combine these updates with our traditional knowledge to improve our crop yields”.
Through the Climate Farmers Field School (CFFS), Prem Kumari gained hands-on knowledge in disaster preparedness and climate-smart farming. Most importantly, Prem Kumari learned how to protect herself and act quickly during emergencies, like keeping essential items like a charged phone and torchlight ready and share critical information with neighbours.
Building A Path to Resilience
Despite challenges like poor internet and limited mobile network, Kalche’s residents have now taken proactive steps to protect both themselves and one another.
And the impact is visible: although safe shelters are scarce, households in Kalche are more aware of weather hazards and there is a growing culture of collective action. Timely interventions, coupled with access to accurate information and practical knowledge, can significantly enhance the capacity of vulnerable communities to anticipate risks, respond effectively to disasters, and create safer, more resilient living environments.
About PRARAMBH Project
PRARAMBH, funded by Welthungerhilfe (WHH), implemented by LI-BIRD with technical support from People in Need (PIN), aims to build a functional, end-to-end early warning system that reaches the most vulnerable. By addressing livelihood issues and disaster risks holistically, the project strengthens communities across the watershed and builds a foundation for anticipatory action.
Author: Prakash Neupane, Field Officer, LI-BIRD, October 2025
