KATHMANDU: India-based humanitarian organisation HELPaid has donated a supercomputer to Nepal to support satellite-image analysis and improve early warnings for floods, heavy rainfall and other natural disasters.

Officials of Nepal’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) received the equipment as part of an assistance programme following recent natural disasters in the country.

The supercomputer is intended to process satellite imagery and other data to help identify potential disaster risks and provide information to authorities for early response and evacuation, according to HELPaid.

The funds for the equipment were raised by Catherine Educational Institutions. Students, teachers and support staff contributed 140,000 Indian rupees ($1,600), while the institution’s management contributed a further 160,000 rupees, bringing the total to 300,000 rupees.

The funds were handed to HELPaid, which arranged the procurement and donation of the computer.

NDRRMA officials Mahesh Chandra Neupane, joint secretary; Ram Bahadur K.C. and Rajendra Sharma, under secretaries; geologist Prakash Pokhrel; and engineer Jagdish Bista received the equipment.

Oliver Rayi of HELPaid said the contribution demonstrated how small donations could support disaster-response efforts and potentially help protect lives.

The organisation said it would assess additional needs in consultation with government authorities and local communities before deciding on further assistance.

Following discussions with National Planning Commission Vice Chairman Gunakar Bhatta, HELPaid said it plans to return to Nepal for a second phase of relief assistance, including medical equipment valued at about 4 million Indian rupees.

The organisation did not provide further technical specifications of the supercomputer or details on how it will be integrated into Nepal’s existing disaster-warning infrastructure.