Climate change threatens water and sanitation facilities in Nepal
Inclusive collective action together with data-based decision-making can help to address climate vulnerabilities and low adaptive capacities.
Water supply, sanitation and hygiene facilities (WASH) are bearing the brunt of climate-induced extreme weather events in Nepal. The rain which inundated central Nepal in September 2024 caused disruptions to water supply systems, damaged sanitation infrastructure and contaminated water sources. Reports by the government indicate that more than 1600 drinking water projects worth over US 42 million have been damaged.
The International Water Management Institute (IWMI) is working to improve collective understanding and strengthen collaboration on climate resilience and inclusion in the WASH sector. A knowledge-sharing workshop in Kathmandu, organized by IWMI, brought together government officials, civil society and researchers to discuss climate change vulnerability assessments from Dailekh and Sarlahi districts. IWMI researcher Santosh Nepal noted that these municipalities are highly exposed to climate risks due to their vulnerabilities and low adaptive capacity.
The workshop also highlighted the importance of inclusive policies that address the WASH needs of women, persons with disabilities and marginalized communities. IWMI researcher Darshan Karki noted, “Women and people with disabilities have been found deprived of WASH facilities because of societal discrimination.” Karki emphasized the need for targeted actions to improve WASH access for women and groups marginalized on the basis of ability, status, caste, religion and ethnicity, among others.
Participants also raised the challenges to implementing WASH policies under Nepal’s new federal framework. Nepal’s transition to federalism is aimed to enhance local governance and empower communities to address their unique needs. However, there are obstacles to effectively implementing comprehensive policies that incorporate climate adaptation strategies and principles of inclusion. Local governments often face difficulties in mobilizing financial resources, leading to inadequate infrastructure and service delivery in WASH sectors.
The discussion also looked at harmful cultural practices that hinder access to WASH facilities. The persistence of “Chhaupadi,” a tradition that isolates menstruating women from basic facilities, highlights the need for cultural shifts alongside policy changes to promote inclusivity. IWMI researchers also presented the Municipality Level Vulnerability and Risk Assessment (MULVAR) dashboard, which was developed in collaboration with the Global Institute for Interdisciplinary Studies. The MULVAR dashboard offers accessible data on vulnerability and risk in the WASH sector at the municipal level in Dailekh and Sarlahi districts. Over 100 indicators—covering hazards, sensitivity, adaptive capacity and exposure—assess the current vulnerability and risk status of municipalities. This tool supports informed decision-making and guides local development planning.
Manohara Khadka, IWMI’s Country Representative for Nepal, called for collaborative efforts to ensure safe water and sanitation for everyone. Kavitha Kasynathan, Head of Development at the Australian Embassy in Kathmandu said, “I hope the knowledge shared here will be useful for wider WASH stakeholders, including policy and decision-makers, provincial and local governments, researchers and practitioners to improve the status quo.”
Participants called for greater collaboration in tackling the impacts of climate change on WASH services in Nepal, as well as including marginalized communities in WASH decision-making processes.
The workshop was part of the ‘Addressing Climate Vulnerability in Nepal Through Resilient and Inclusive WASH Systems (RES-WASH) project and was co-organized with partners including the Ministry of Water Supply.