As Janakpur continues to grow, so does the challenge of rising temperatures. Climate change, coupled with rapid and often unplanned urbanization, has intensified the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect, making the city significantly hotter than its surrounding areas. With more concrete, fewer trees, and limited open spaces, the city experiences frequent heatwaves that pose serious health risks, especially for vulnerable populations like children, the elderly, and individuals with pre-existing conditions. Yet, without access to real-time, location-specific temperature data, formulating an effective response has remained out of reach.
Launching Janakpur’s First Real-Time Heat Monitoring System
To bridge this gap, Green Decision Labs and Research (GD Labs), with support from the Data for Development (D4D) program under The Asia Foundation, launched an initiative that places real-time environmental data at the center of climate resilience planning. The project deployed 10 low-cost IoT-based temperature and humidity sensors across key areas of Janakpur’s urban core. These sensors continuously capture live data on heat intensity and distribution, feeding into a custom-built dashboard designed to support both urban planning and local decision-making.
This dashboard allows users to monitor current temperatures, view real-time heat index levels, and access historical climate records. The heat index feature is especially important, as it reflects how hot it feels by combining temperature and humidity—providing more accurate insights during extreme heat events. While the dashboard is currently accessible only to municipal stakeholders, it will be made publicly accessible upon its planned integration into the official DMAPs (Janakpurdham) portal. This approach ensures that the platform can support informed decision-making today, while also laying the groundwork for future transparency and public engagement.
Identifying Urban Heat Hotspots Using Satellite and Sensor Data
A critical part of this project was the identification of heat hotspots using satellite imagery and historical climate data. However, relying solely on satellite-derived Land Surface Temperature (LST) measurements can be misleading, as they often do not accurately reflect ambient air temperatures at ground level. To improve accuracy, the project introduced an adjustment process, comparing satellite-derived temperatures with real-time sensor data. By calibrating LST values based on actual ground measurements, the project created more precise heat maps, ensuring that urban planners and decision-makers have reliable data when designing interventions.
Engaging the Community and Strengthening Local Institutions
Beyond the technology, the project placed strong emphasis on institutional collaboration and local capacity-building. Officials from the Janakpurdham Sub-Metropolitan City and representatives from the community were engaged through training sessions and hands-on workshops focused on interpreting the heat data and applying it to climate resilience strategies. Although the original plan included placing sensors in private homes to involve local citizens directly, concerns around equipment security and logistics led to the decision to install them in municipal buildings and ward offices. Despite the shift, the project has remained committed to open data principles and creating tools that will eventually be accessible to all.
Toward Long-Term Impact and Scalable Innovation
The impact of this initiative has been substantial. For the first time, Janakpur has a real-time urban heat monitoring system, providing essential insights to mitigate extreme heat risks. The Janakpurdham Sub-Metropolitan City has shown strong interest in maintaining and expanding the system, reinforcing its long-term sustainability. Looking ahead, the project holds strong potential for scaling and refinement. Expanding the sensor network, integrating predictive analytics for early warnings, and reintroducing community-level monitoring could further strengthen the system. More broadly, this work sets a precedent for how cities in Nepal—and beyond—can use open data, technology, and local partnerships to respond to the growing threats of climate change.
At GD Labs, we see this project as a model for people-centered, tech-enabled urban resilience, and we’re proud to be part of Janakpur’s journey toward a more climate-adaptive future.