Using satellite-based rainfall estimates for flood forecasting in Nepal

Nepal is one of the most vulnerable countries to natural hazards in the world. Several of these hazards, floods and landslides in particular, are related to extreme rainfall. The mountainous topography of Nepal, in combination with a climate system dominated by the Asian Monsoon, results in extremely complex and unpredictable local precipitation patterns. At the same time, the density of the national rain gauge network is very low, because of limitations in the available resources, and because of the challenges of installing and maintaining weather stations in the Himalaya region.

Satellite-based estimation of rainfall provides a great opportunity to complement this sparse network of ground-based rainfall measurements. In particular, the recent Global Precipitation Mission (GPM) of NASA and the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) provides global precipitation data at unprecedented spatial and temporal resolutions. However, for applications in complex terrain such as the Nepalese Himalaya, further downscaling of the satellite data, as well as merging with the local rain gauge data, is needed.

This PhD project will study the performance of GPM over Nepal and develop new routines to downscale the data and to integrate them into an operational flood forecasting system for the Karnali river basin in western Nepal. The project will be part of a larger international consortium that is implementing a research project to improve community-based flood and landslide early warning in the basin (Landslide EVO). As part of this research effort, a network of rain gauges will be installed in May 2018 in the Karnali basin, for the specific purpose of comparing and correcting the GPM satellite-derived rainfall estimates. In addition, the successful applicant will work closely with the Nepalese Government Department of Hydrology and Meteorology (DHM), which is responsible for operating Nepal’s national rain gauge network. DHM also operates a prototype flood forecasting system for the Karnali basin. The aim of the PhD project is to develop routines that will further enhance this forecasting system, thus contributing to effective resilience building and sustainable development in the South Asia.

To be considered for the studentship, please first check your eligibility (see ‘Funding Notes’), and submit a CV including degree result and, if possible, class ranking, a cover letter highlighting your relevant background and experience, and names and contact details of two referees to [Email Address Removed].

Interviews will be held via Skype on Monday 26th March.
Important
Do not apply via Imperial College’s online application system before having contacted Dr Buytaert and discussed your application.