From Forecast to Early Action: How the RAIN Programme acted on Rising Heat

In response to the forecasted heat and lack of rainfall indicated by the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology (DHM) forecasts, the RAIN consortia’s early warning and anticipatory action team activated its Heat Early Action Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) from 8-11 June, aiming to reduce the impact on communities. The interventions were based on continuous monitoring of forecasts from DHM.

The RAIN consortia, under the Resilience, Adaptation and Inclusion in Nepal (RAIN) programme, funded by UK International Development, aims to strengthen the Government of Nepal's (GoN) climate change adaptation and disaster risk management efforts and to help make social protection systems more shock-responsive. Additionally, it works towards enhancing community resilience to climate-induced disasters by improving the accessibility and effectiveness of early warning systems, ensuring timely early action that reaches the most at-risk populations, and sustainable, locally-led disaster risk reduction and climate adaptation efforts. 

This programme is led by People in Need (PIN), with Dan Church Aid (DCA) as co-lead. The implementing partners are Community Self Reliance Centre (CSRC Nepal), Prerana, Local Initiatives for Biodiversity, Research and Development (LI-BIRD), and Youth Innovation Lab, supported by technical partners Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Centre (RCCC) and the UK Met Office.

Why Early Action Matters

Heatwaves are no longer a seasonal discomfort; they are escalating into humanitarian concerns, particularly in low-income, high-risk areas. Without the luxury of staying indoors or accessing reliable cooling, many continue to work, cook, farm, and care for others despite rising risks.

Dhaniya Patel, a 75-year-old in Gaur, recalls his experiences with heat through the years. He mentions, “Heat doesn’t discriminate between rich or poor. It affects everyone. But the poor have to keep working through it, that’s the difference.” Discussing the impacts further, he looks at his grandchildren sleeping under a fan, who have been getting sick from the heat. When the FCHV mentioned heat strokes, he recalls, “I’ve seen people get heatstroke before. Once you get 'loo' (heatstroke) , you collapse, and it’s like your soul leaves your body.”

RAIN’s early action targeted:

• Outdoor workers: rickshaw riders, street vendors, daily wage labourers, traffic police, agricultural workers, street dwellers
• At-risk households: older people, children, pregnant/lactating women, people with chronic illnesses, low-income families
• Public hotspots: schools, bus parks, markets, government offices, and informal settlements

To reach these groups, the Female Community Health Volunteers (FCHVs) went door-to-door, prioritising households with pregnant and lactating women, raising awareness about the dangers of extreme heat, and sharing practical tips on how to stay safe. They spoke directly with families, offering guidance on how to recognise early signs of heat-related illness and simple steps to prevent serious health effects. Apart from raising awareness, we operated mobile water units that distributed cool, clean drinking water in heat-affected areas in city centres, especially for outdoor workers. Public awareness jingles in the local languages, Bajika and Maithili, were broadcast widely, delivering crucial information on what to do and what to avoid during heatwaves. We also worked closely with local governments to discuss early preparedness actions, not only to address the ongoing heat crisis but also to anticipate the challenges of the upcoming monsoon season.

Community Awareness: Door-to-Door Outreach

In the mid-day heat of Siraha, Sehenaj Khatun, a Female Community Health Volunteer (FCHV), knocked on her 75th door in three days. Sweat dripping from her forehead, she believed it was vital for others to understand that they need to protect themselves from the heat. “I tell people to drink water, wear light clothes, carry an umbrella,” she said. “Some listen, some don’t. Many say they can’t stop working even if the heat is killing them.”

Other FCHVs like her went around and called women from different houses, and in the shade of a big tree at the foot of a temple, discussed the threats that heat poses.

Women, in particular, juggle multiple roles in the heat.

For five days, Sehenaj and other FCHVs like her moved from home to home, urging families to take precautions. The 10 FCHVs in each of the three municipalities visited over 17,470 people across Gaur, Siraha, and Jaleshwar municipalities, including men, women, children, older people, and persons with disabilities in 7 days. As they went from door to door, they identified the heat-impacted signs, symptoms and diseases, educated households on the signs of heat-related illnesses and first-aid, and referred cases to health facilities when necessary. These 30 FCHVs had received one-day orientation on heat-related risks, community engagement techniques, and referral and reporting systems, before mobilisation.

Water on Wheels: Mobile Distribution Units 

Our clean, cool mobile drinking water units were greatly appreciated, especially by outdoor workers. Many stopped by for a refreshing break, and our dedicated team ensured the water stayed cool by using coolers and placing jars in the shade. Residents from nearby homes also came to collect water for their families. These units served schools, hospitals, markets, and government buildings, providing much-needed relief across the community.

In Shree Laxmi Chandi Maurarka Secondary School in Jaleshwar, a school teacher watched students fill their bottles and splash water on their faces. She said, “It may seem small, but in this heat, this is of great help.” She then recalled having seen this mobile water unit around the markets as well, where many people got to drink water.

From markets to schools, bus parks to government offices, we reached over 16,738 people, quenching thirst and offering a moment of relief. Each local government in Gaur, Siraha, and Jaleshwor had one station each operating from 10 am to 5 pm.

Broadcasting Safety: Radio in Local Languages

Not everyone could be reached in person, so heat safety messages were taken to the air. These jingles played in the mobile water distribution units were also broadcast on local FM stations in Bajika language (Rautahat) and Maithili language (in Mahottari and Siraha), making sure the message reached those without internet or even literacy. These mobile units informed communities about the available forecast sources and the DHM toll-free number, 1155, and allowed community members to share their feedback, if any, through RAIN’s CFRM mechanism.

Additionally, public announcements were made via megaphones, sharing heatwave precaution messages in public spaces, especially in rural and low-literacy communities, to increase awareness and encourage behavioural changes. These helped reinforce key messages across different demographics.

An evaluation following the heat early action showed that many people found the water distribution very helpful. A senior citizen said that after hearing the message, he started going to the farm in the morning instead of midday, saying it had "stuck in his mind." Moreover, local observations about climate trends affirmed the timeliness of the intervention. One FCHV shared, “I noticed my husband’s skin was burnt from going to his shop during midday. I advised him to use an umbrella, cover his hands, and eat earlier. He listened, and that was a quick change.”

Coordination and Systems Alignment

In addition to interventions, our Early Action team conducted meetings with local governments, particularly the Local Disaster Management Committees (LDMCs). During these meetings, we shared DHM heat forecasts and historical trends, discussed early action initiatives to combat extreme heat, and addressed preparations for the upcoming monsoon season, with special focus on at-risk communities. The discussions involved mayors, government professionals, and Nepal army personnel who are typically engaged in disaster response operations. They talked about strengthening the rescue team and strategies for engaging people and gaining local support during disasters. This was the beginning of long-term government coordination to strengthen local early warning systems.