Gravity Water's role in disaster relief and climate adaptation
In Malaysia, floods can be categorized into monsoon floods and flash floods. Monsoon floods are primarily caused by the Northeast Monsoon, which runs from November to March, bringing heavy rainfall, especially to the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia and parts of Sarawak. Flash floods tend to strike rapidly, often in areas undergoing rapid development.
One of the worst floods in recent memory was in December 2014, when Kelantan was severely impacted. Over 200,000 people were displaced, 21 lives were lost, and the flooding caused significant damage to properties, agriculture, livestock, and infrastructure across the state.
The aftermath prompted experts to re-evaluate flood preparedness and disaster response strategies, emphasizing the importance of community-based solutions that reduce vulnerability.
Gravity Water recognizes our role in disaster relief and climate adaptation, particularly in regions prone to extreme weather events. Rainwater harvesting systems are becoming a vital tool for communities facing natural disasters like flooding. By capturing and storing rainwater, these systems can ensure access to clean water when traditional infrastructure is damaged or overwhelmed. In the context of flood-prone areas, such as Malaysia’s Kelantan state, rainwater harvesting systems offer an additional layer of preparedness, helping communities stay resilient during periods of crisis.
This month, Gravity Water is taking proactive steps to address flood preparedness in Malaysia through a pilot project in Kelantan. In collaboration with Water Watch Penang, Gravity Water is installing rainwater harvesting systems in five schools located in the Tumpat district. These schools are educational institutions and also serve as designated flood relief centers during the monsoon season. As November approaches, and with the monsoon season expected to bring heavy rains, the schools will be critical evacuation sites for up to 500 additional community members who may seek refuge there. In previous years, flood victims have sheltered at these schools for up to two weeks, as their homes sustain significant damage from the floods. Having access to reliable, clean water will be crucial for these families during their temporary stay.
The Gravity Water build team works tirelessly to complete these installations before the rains begin. Each rainwater harvesting system will help ensure that these schools, and the broader community, have a sustainable water source, providing much-needed relief in times of crisis.
Gravity Water supports 21,405 total new beneficiaries and 34 new clean water system installations in 4 countries
Vietnam: 783 new beneficiaries, 2 new installations in Bat Xat district
Taiwan: 5849 new beneficiaries, 4 new installations
Nepal: 6542 new beneficiaries, 19 new installations in Kavrepalanchowk district
Malaysia: 8231 new beneficiaries, 9 new installations
Vietnam: Began filming a series of Operation and Maintenance training videos. 29 videos are planned to support schools with the proper use and upkeep of their water systems.
Vietnam: Yagi Typhoon Emergency Reporting identified and repaired one damaged system. 12 other schools were impacted, including relocation due to landslide risks.
Nepal: The Social Audit Program was implemented in 105 community schools across the Kavrepalanchok district. The Wednesday, September 25, 2024 event was attended by representatives from various schools, government officials, and local community members.
Project installations in Vietnam are delayed due to Yagi Typhoon
Clean water systems were completed at Y Ty Kindergarten and Sang Ma Sao Kindergarten last month in Vietnam following earlier delays in October caused by the Yagi typhoon. Y Ty Kindergarten, located in one of the most remote communes of Bat Xat District, is about 90 km away (a 3.5-hour journey). Due to landslides, only one of the three local routes remained accessible. Our build team used local transport to reach the school, overcoming significant logistical challenges to complete the installation.
Launch of social audit program in Nepal
Project: Gravity Water Rainwater Harvesting and Filtration System
Project Objectives: The project aims to collect rainwater for daily use, provide clean drinking water through gravity-fed filtration systems, and ensure ongoing monitoring, maintenance, and education for the sustainable use of these systems in schools and communities.
Locations: Dhulikhel, Panchkhal, Banepa, Panauti, Namobuddha, Mandandeupur Municipalities, and Roshi, Bethanchok, Bhumlu, and Chaunrideurali Rural Municipalities.
Social Audit Program Objectives:
Enhance trust and accountability among beneficiaries, stakeholders, and donors.
Conduct a formal review of the organization’s practices, ethics, achievements, and societal impact.
Evaluate the economic, social, and environmental effects of the project.
Ensure the continued success and transparency of the project, fostering a collaborative environment for all stakeholders involved.
Event Guests: The event welcomed many local government representatives and Chief Guest Mr. Ashok Byanju, Mayor of Dhulikhel Municipality, along with Special Guest Mr. Kunsang Lama, Mayor of Namobuddha Municipality, and Mr. Prem Bhujel, President of Bhumlu Rural Municipality.
Gravity Water Presenters: Program Director, Mrs. Anita Jyoti; Gokul Gautam, Vice President of Gravity Water Nepal; and National Director, Samundra Giri. All presenters inspired and engaged the audience sharing the program’s goals and a clear overview of the activities and projects completed and the future projects.
Routine handover and training school program visit could have been catastrophic for the Nepal Gravity Water team
On September 27, 2024, Representatives from Chakreshwar and Bhairab Secondary School from Bethanchok Rural Municipality, along with the Gravity Water District Coordinator, and a photographer, set out on a site visit to conduct the handover and training program where we completed a recent clean water system installation. The destination was 40 km from Kathmandu and heavy rainfall was predicted for the next several days. We arrived in Dhungkhark of Bethanchok Rural Municipality the previous day to ensure we could complete the training program before the school closed on Friday.
We got up at 6 a.m., had tea and breakfast, then left for Bhairab and Chakreshwar Secondary School. It rained throughout the night and, as predicted, the rain continued as we set off on our journey. Despite the rain, we were hopeful we could still get to the site and complete the training before school was out for the week.
Shortly after leaving, we encountered a milk cart stopped about 4 km on a hill in front of us. I got off the bike to investigate and witnessed many rocks falling down the hill causing a blockage on the road. Once the falling rocks subsided, we worked together to clear the path and were able to continue toward our destination.
About 400 meters further down the road, we encountered another obstacle where a major landslide made the road impassable and the milk cart driver advised us to turn around, as the road was not safe. As we turned back, we saw that a large landslide now washed out the road at the same spot where we had cleared the falling rocks earlier. We were now trapped, unable to move forward or backward, with heavy rain continuing to fall.
Seeking help from residents, we managed to initiate an effort to clear the landslide. Due to the constant relentless rain, it was impossible to clear the road immediately. We were stranded there for over 5 hours. Everyone worked together and finally, we were able to clear a path wide enough for bikes to pass and reach Kathmandu by 3 o'clock. It was still raining heavily.
On our way to avoid another landslide, we witnessed significant destruction—many houses were swept away, and there was considerable loss of life and property. Although we didn't arrive at the school on time for the site visit, if we hadn't left when we did, we might have been caught in the landslide ourselves. Even if we had survived the landslide, reaching Kathmandu would have taken us at least four days.
A powerful lesson on underestimating the strength of Mother Nature and taking on dangerous risks was learned that day. Even though it remains a horrifying memory, we are grateful to have made it back safely.
Spotlight on Qunsheng (群晟) Plumbing team in Taiwan
Nestled in the mountains of New Taipei City, a family legacy of quality plumbing and installations was born In the quiet town of Jingtong. The Qunsheng (群晟) Plumbing team has become Gravity Water and EEFT’s trusted rainwater harvesting installation team in Taipei.
Though small in scale, Qunsheng has become a trusted name in Taiwan, particularly among schools where they’ve built a reputation for quality craftsmanship, reliability, and dedication to sustainability.
At the heart of Qunsheng company is Mr. Wang, the team’s manager, who inherited his father’s passion for plumbing. Mr. Wang’s father, a self-taught expert, laid the foundation of the business, and now Mr. Wang continues this legacy. His work is not just about installing pipes or maintaining rainwater harvesting systems—it's about preserving the schools his father once served, such as Daguan and Pingxi Elementary, and passing down invaluable experience to the next generation.
One such rising star is Awei, a spirited young man in his twenties who joined Qunsheng right after high school. Under the careful mentorship of Mr. Wang and his brother, Awei has quickly become an integral part of the team. Gravity Water's CEO, Danny Wright, affectionately calls Awei, "Mr. Brave" for his unwavering commitment to the cause. In Taiwan’s fast-paced industry where labor shortages and societal biases toward academic careers often create hurdles, Awei represents hope for future generations of sustainable plumbers.
Qunsheng's commitment goes beyond technical work. Mr. Wang is determined to address the challenges facing Taiwan’s labor market by volunteering his time to teach plumbing skills in schools. By doing so, he’s not only giving back to the community but also offering young people an alternative career path—one grounded in hands-on expertise and environmental impact.
One of Qunsheng’s proudest collaborations is their partnership with Gravity Water. Together, they have tackled the complexities of installing rainwater harvesting systems in schools like Xinyi Elementary. Taiwan’s aging infrastructure and intricate pipeline systems posed significant obstacles, but Qunsheng’s team rose to the challenge. With patience and skill, they worked through each difficulty, offering solutions and enhancing the initiative's impact. Their work ensures that filtered rainwater can be used sustainably for everyday tasks like flushing school toilets and providing water for handwashing, reinforcing the importance of water conservation in schools.
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