A talk program titled “Risk of Extreme Heat in a Changing Climate” was organized on 27 March 2025 at Nepal Engineers’ Association (NEA), Lalitpur. The talk was delivered by Fulbright Specialist Dr. Nir Krakauer (Associate Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, City College of New York). Society of Hydrologists and Meteorologists (SOHAM)-Nepal, The Small Earth Nepal (SEN), NEA, and Fulbright jointly organized the program..
The program was chaired by Dr. Hari K. Shrestha (Chairperson, SOHAM-Nepal) and moderated by Dr. Dhiraj Pradhananga (President- SEN, Associate Professor- Tribhuvan University (TU), UNESCO Chairholder- UNESCO Chair in Mountain Water Sustainability). A total of 36 participants (F:7 M:29), including engineers, graduate students, professors, and professionals from various academic institutions, attended the talk program.
Dr. Nir Krakauer provided an insightful presentation on the global scenario of extreme heat, the process of measuring extreme heat using indices like humid heat and wet bulb temperature. He further explained the concept of wet bulb temperature (100% Humid temperature), predictive approaches using probabilistic models, as well as adaptation strategies and impacts of extreme heat at global, local, and personal levels.
The talk was followed by an interactive discussion and Q&A session, which allowed the participants to delve into potential solutions for addressing the extreme heat events and heat waves, particularly in the Terai regions of Nepal.
The program disseminated research and scientific insights on the risks associated with extreme heat in a changing climate. It provided a platform to have a fruitful discussion on climate change, heat extremes, capacity building of the graduate students, and a potential pathway for future collaboration.
