South Asia Hydromet Forum Accelerates Regional Climate Action with 3 New Strategic Initiatives

The South Asia Hydromet Forum (SAHF) is scaling up regional climate resilience through three major initiatives that mark a push toward advancing hydromet capabilities in South Asia. With support from the WISER Asia Pacific and CREWS South Asia programs, and implemented through the Regional Integrated Multi-Hazard Early Warning System (RIMES), these initiatives will support all six thematic areas of SAHF including: Numerical Weather Prediction, Observation Networks, Capacity Enhancement, Impact-Based Forecasting, Climate Services, and Hydrology.

These collaborations represent a major boost for the region in 2025. By enabling priority workplans and long-term institutional capacity building, SAHF aims to reduce socio-economic vulnerability and ensure sustained, coordinated actions across meteorological and hydrological domains while the region is facing intensifying climate risks.

The WISER Asia Pacific Programme: Driving Transformational Change

Managed by the UK Met Office and funded by UK International Development, the Weather and Climate Information Services (WISER) Programme, part of the Climate Action for a Resilient Asia (CARA) initiative, emphasizes regional collaboration and the delivery of actionable, user-driven services.

Under the SAHF framework, WISER is supporting two major implementation plans that align directly with SAHF’s technical working groups:

1. IBF Working Group Implementation Plan

Participants from the Regional Workshop on Framework and Toolkit Development last November 2025 under the SAHF IBF Project.

Launched in August 2025, this project aims to drive transformational change in national and regional capabilities for delivering IBF and early warning services, specifically for temperature-related hazards. Recognizing the increasing risks posed by heatwaves and cold spells across South Asia, the project focuses on: strengthening institutional systems and methodologies and  enhancing technical processes required to         generate anticipatory, impact-driven warnings.

2. Climate Services Working Group Implementation 

SAHF Climate Services Working Group, user sector representatives, and development partners during its Inception Meeting in June 2025

Designed to establish a robust foundation for a regionally aligned climate services ecosystem, this initiative supports improvements in coherence, effectiveness, and cross-border coordination. The project ensures that climate information is consistent and accessible across the region by providing continuous technical support to the SAHF Climate Services Working Group.

CREWS South Asia: Unlocking Regional Synergies

The Climate Risk and Early Warning Systems (CREWS) initiative is a global financial mechanism dedicated to strengthening risk-informed early warning services, particularly in Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS).

3. Unlocking South Asia Regional Synergies for Resilience Building (CREWS South Asia Project)

Project stakeholders at the CREWS SA Inception Meeting on 09 December 2025

This four-year project, implemented by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), with RIMES as lead technical partner, is designed to leverage regional synergies and harmonize early warning initiatives across South Asia. It aims to enhance multi-hazard early warning systems and prioritizes the “last mile” of warning dissemination. RIMES, in particular, will aim to strengthen regional coordination by enhancing SAHF mechanisms such as the technical working groups and the Forecasters’ Forum.

Driving a Unified Path Toward a Safer Climate Future

Together, these three projects represent a forward-looking approach to climate risk management. As the region confronts floods, heatwaves, and urban climate pressures, these initiatives reinforce the commitment of South Asian nations to ensure climate information is reliable, accessible, and actionable for all.

Regional Climate Application Forum (RCAF) 2025 Winter Session Strengthens Climate Preparedness in Bangladesh

Khulna, Bangladesh | 03 December 2025 – In a significant step towards strengthening national resilience, the Regional Integrated Multi-Hazard Early Warning Systems (RIMES) convened the 2025 Winter Session of the Regional Climate Application Forum (RCAF).

Organized through the UK-Bangladesh Hydromet Partnership and the RIMES-BBC Media Action BRIDGES Initiative, the session brought together 77 participants, including forecasters, technical agencies, and sectoral users to enhance seasonal climate preparedness and strengthen multi-sector collaboration in southwestern Bangladesh. These partnerships collectively support improved climate information generation, communication and application across the country.

The forum served as a critical platform for dialogue between data providers and end-users. Syeda Sabrina Sultana, Senior Meteorological Officer at RIMES, opened the session by emphasizing the RCAF’s role as a national vehicle for generating user-driven, multi-timescale climate information. She urged participants to reflect on past seasons to refine how climate services support anticipatory action.

The event highlighted strong national commitment, with attendance from major government bodies including the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD), Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), Department of Livestock Services (DLS), Department of Fisheries (DoF), and the Islamic Foundation, alongside NGOs and community groups.

Innovations in Forecasting and Application

BMD Deputy Director S. M. Qamrul Hassan explaining forecasting concepts and presenting the seasonal outlook.

A key focus of the session was the practical application of climate data. S. M. Qamrul Hassan, BMD Deputy Director, presented the Seasonal and Sub-Seasonal Climate Outlook for the Winter Monsoon. “Improving user understanding of forecasts is essential because informed decisions directly contribute to resilience,” says Hassan as he presented the climate outlook and clarified common forecasting concepts to improve user interpretation.

Participants engage in group review sessions to strengthen the accessibility and effectiveness of BMD’s Daily Weather Forecast Bulletin, ensuring climate information supports informed action at all levels.

Significant attention was also given to the “last mile” of communication. Asif Udin Bin Noor and Raisa Binthe Ahmed of RIMES facilitated an interactive review of the proposed Daily Weather Forecast Bulletin, currently being developed under the BRIDGES Project. Stakeholders evaluated the clarity, accessibility and structure of the bulletin and offered suggestions to enhance its use among different stakeholder groups. The exercise highlighted the importance of making climate and weather information practical and easy to interpret for end users.

Sectoral Applications of Climate Information

The forum showcased data-driven success stories demonstrating the tangible benefits of climate services:

• Agriculture: Muhammad Tanjilur Rahman, Senior Project Officer at RIMES, shared results from the Forecast Application for Risk and Resource Management (FARRM) School. The initiative reported a 91.8% improvement in farmer decision-making and a 98.3% increase in the ability to interpret and act on weather forecasts. 

“When farmers can interpret climate information, they plan better and reduce losses. The results show the real value of climate services,” Rahman observed.

Muhammad Tanjilur Rahman, RIMES Senior Project Officer (Meteorology), presents the outcomes of the Farmer’s FARRM School.

• Livestock: Dr. A. K. M. Rakibul Hasan introduced the National Livestock Advisory System (NLAS), explaining that “NLAS enables DLS to move from reactive responses to proactive planning based on real-time climate information.”

Dr. Hasan demonstrated how the system integrates weather and climate data into livestock management to support decision making on fodder planning, disease control and livestock protection.

Dr. A. K. M. Rakibul Hasan, Department of Livestock Services, demonstrating how the National Livestock Advisory System supports proactive planning.

Reflections from Local Government

Mr. Bitan Kumar Mandal, Additional Deputy Commissioner (General), delivering his special remarks on climate resilience.

Special guest speakers from the district administration and agricultural extension services offered insights on the urgency of climate adaptation. Additional Deputy Commissioner (General), Bitan Kumar Mandal, emphasised the need for immediate and sustainable adaptation practices in response to the increasing frequency of extreme weather events. 

“Forecasts guide us, but resilience is built through what we do next. We must adopt climate-smart solutions today to safeguard our communities,” he expressed.

In his closing remarks, S. M. Qamrul Hassan highlighted the value of continued collaboration among technical agencies, forecasters and sectoral users. He noted that forums such as RCAF play an essential role in strengthening the connection between climate science, communication and practical decision making. He also emphasized the importance of maintaining regular dialogue to ensure that climate information continues to support preparedness, response and long term resilience planning across Bangladesh.

Looking Ahead

The outcomes of the session are expected to enhance coordination among BMD, DLS, RIMES and sectoral users, strengthen climate informed planning for the winter season and improve stakeholder understanding of weather and climate information services. RCAF continues to function as a key national platform supporting both preparedness and long term resilience for communities across Bangladesh.

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About the Projects:

• The UK-Bangladesh Hydro-Met Collaboration, “Enhancing Resilience through Improved Climate and Hydrometeorological Services (EnRICH)”, funded with UK International Development from the UK government, aims to strengthen Bangladesh’s flood forecasting and early warning capacities by improving data integration, decision-support tools, and institutional capacities.
• The RIMES-BBC Media Action, “BRIDGES: Building climate resilience through strengthened communication across the WCIS system”, aims to improve Weather and Climate Information Services (WCIS) to ensure people take positive actions to adapt to climate change and build resilience to climate-related natural hazards.

The Regional Integrated Multi-Hazard Early Warning System (RIMES) is an international organization dedicated to enhancing early warning capabilities and disaster resilience across Asia and Africa. For more information, visit RIMES.

10th National Monsoon Forum Fosters Integrated Climate Preparedness for the 2025–2026 Rainy Season in Timor-Leste

On 11 December 2025, the National Directorate of Meteorology and Geophysics (DNMG), under the Ministry of Transport and Communications of Timor-Leste, successfully convened the 10th National Monsoon Forum at the Ministry’s headquarters in Dili. The event was organized with technical support from RIMES through the UNEP-led Green Climate Fund (GCF) Project “Enhancing Early Warning Systems to Build Greater Resilience to Hydro-Meteorological Hazards in Timor-Leste.”

The Monsoon Forum serves as a User Interface Platform under Timor-Leste’s National Framework for Climate Services (NFCS), enabling government agencies, humanitarian partners, and technical institutions to jointly review climate conditions, seasonal forecasts, and their implications for national and sectoral planning.

This year’s Forum brought together over 90 participants from 40 institutions, representing key sectors such as agriculture, water resources, energy, health, environment, disaster risk management, and media. Discussions reviewed the 2025 dry season performance, compared observed and forecast conditions, and explored the seasonal outlook for the 2025–2026 wet season.

Sectoral groups conducted impact and risk-mapping exercises to identify key hazards, preparedness strategies, and action plans. RIMES presented ongoing progress in Decision Support Systems (DSS) and mobile application development, while UNEP shared updates on the Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM) and the Climate Services Action and Communication Plan (CSACP).

The Forum concluded with agreed sectoral recommendations to strengthen forecast-based planning, improve access to multi-hazard information, and enhance institutional capacities for anticipatory action.

This milestone reinforces DNMG’s sustained leadership in coordinating climate services and highlights the continued partnership among DNMG, UNEP, RIMES, and national agencies in advancing climate-resilient development for Timor-Leste.

SAHF concludes Regional Workshop on Impact-Based Forecasting for Temperature Hazards

24-28 November 2025 | Bangkok, Thailand — The South Asia Hydromet Forum (SAHF) successfully concluded a five-day regional workshop this week, uniting South Asian meteorological services, disaster management authorities, and development partners to strengthen early warning systems for heat and cold hazards. 

The event marks a major milestone in SAHF’s Impact-Based Forecasting (IBF) Implementation Project, supported by the UK government’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) through the Weather and Climate Information Services (WISER) Asia-Pacific Programme, part of the Climate Action for a Resilient Asia (CARA) initiative. 

As heatwaves and cold spells intensify across the region, the workshop marked a critical milestone in shifting South Asia’s early warning systems from simply forecasting “what the weather will be” to predicting “what the weather will do.” Drawing on the UK’s experience with action-led forecasting, participants were also introduced to the value of incorporating behaviorally informed “what should I do?” guidance into warning systems. This approach, grounded in behavioral science, offers practical direction on how IBF messages can be designed to prompt real protective action, particularly for heat- and cold-related advisories.

SAHF Adviser Dr. K.J. Ramesh, in his opening remarks, stressed the urgency of the initiative. “Temperature-related hazards have become a very prominent hazard, not only in South Asia but all over the globe,” he stated, emphasizing the need for forecasts based on local exposure and vulnerability rather than just meteorological data.

The primary outcome of the workshop was the design of National Demonstration Plans which will serve as operational testbeds during the 2026 heat and cold seasons, allowing countries to refine triggers, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and coordination workflows in real-world conditions.

Over the five days, participants reviewed the IBF Baseline Assessment, refined the draft Regional Framework and Toolkit, and co-designed National Demonstration Plans that will test early warning thresholds, triggers, and coordination workflows in real-world conditions during the 2026 heat and cold seasons.

Development of IBF Regional Framework and Toolkit

Participants’ discussions throughout the workshops

The comprehensive baseline assessment exposed a stark “resilience divide” across South Asia, highlighting the urgent need for cross-border collaboration. Sub-regional discussions mapped out constraints and regional and national priorities according to geography and capacities:

• For the Himalayan nations of Nepal and Bhutan, the primary challenge is ensuring forecast reliability in complex terrain, driving a specific need for ensemble modeling and the integration of cold hazard thresholds alongside heat warnings. Conversely, island nations like the Maldives and Sri Lanka emphasized “perceived temperature” over absolute readings, prioritizing heat stress indices and the use of satellite datasets to compensate for sparse observational networks.
• For the continental group—including India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Myanmar—the focus shifted to operational precision and the “last-mile.” These nations highlighted the need for high-resolution (3 km) models, AI-driven tools, and clearer protocols for forecasting “hazard abandonment” to manage public expectations. Across the board, particularly for countries with nascent systems, participants underscored a critical gap in disability-disaggregated data and the urgent need for formal Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to institutionalize ad-hoc pilot successes.

These identified challenges and priorities feed into the development of the IBF Regional Framework and Toolkit which are active coordination mechanisms designed to deliver fully operational products within the next 18 months. This initiative centers on a “co-production approach,” ensuring that tools are not just technically accurate but useful for specific sectors on the ground.

“We need to have a continuous engagement that will not stop at a certain point,” Dr. Anshul Agarwal, SAHF Team Lead, explained during the session. “We can discuss our experiences and challenges… so that we can learn from each other and engage continuously with a strong communication mechanism.”

Launching of National Demonstrations

A core output of the workshop was the commencement of National Demonstration Plans by each participating country. These plans serve as the operational engine of the project, designed to test the Regional Framework and Toolkit in real-world scenarios.

To ensure that the countries are guided in the implementation, a “Training of Trainers” program is scheduled in the first quarter of 2026.

Regional Success Stories 

The sessions highlighted operational models already working in the region, providing a blueprint for neighboring nations:

• India: The National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) showcased its mature heat-health system, which integrates Green-to-Red color-coded alerts with tiered health actions and community-level “heat alert boards.”
• Bangladesh: The National Livestock Advisory System was cited as a strong model for sector-specific warnings, automatically sending heat alerts to district livestock officers to protect agricultural assets.
• UK: The Met Office highlighted its “Action First” behavioral approach, emphasizing clear, actionable guidance to close the gap between awareness and response.
• Nepal: People in Need (PIN) detailed their “Action First” approach, mobilizing Female Community Health Volunteers to conduct door-to-door checks on vulnerable groups like outdoor workers.
• Southeast Asia: Although based in Southeast Asia, Global Heat Health Information Network’s (GHHIN) emerging regional model demonstrated  how a regional network can reframe extreme heat as a broad public-health challenge, and that countries can begin strengthening heat-health systems even with imperfect data, offering valuable parallels for South Asia’s IBF development.

Building Resilience Together

The workshop coincided with the 5th ESCAP Disaster Resilience Week, allowing participants to join side sessions on building heat resilience and understanding multi-hazard risk in coastal areas. Discussions highlighted SAHF’s growing role as a platform for regional coordination, linking efforts with initiatives such as the Early Warning for All (EW4ALL) campaign and the WMO network. 

The session on “Building Heat Resilience through Subregional and Regional Cooperation: Learning and Perspectives from South Asia” highlighted strong regional collaboration on impact-based forecasting and climate data sharing, featuring the South Asia Hydromet Forum and platforms such as RIMES’s DataEx, RDAS, and INSTANT platforms, and ESCAP’s Risk & Resilience Portal 3.0. Country examples from Bangladesh and India demonstrated growing operational heat advisory systems, while discussions stressed the need for standardized data, real-time health integration, and localized early warnings. The session also outlined a regional IBF plan to 2027, supported by capacity building and demonstration projects aimed at strengthening last-mile heat resilience across the region.

Meanwhile, the session on “Understanding Multi-Hazard Risk in Coastal Areas toward Enhancing Adaptation” underscored the escalating coastal threats—rising sea levels, storm surges, tsunamis, erosion, and marine heatwaves—and showcased ESCAP’s upcoming multi-hazard coastal vulnerability tool under the Climate Action for a Resilient Asia (CARA) Programme to support data-driven planning. With insights from India, Maldives, and Sri Lanka, discussions emphasized localized risk mapping, early warning capacity, nature-based solutions, and regional data sharing as essential to strengthening coastal resilience.

“SAHF had a great presence, prominence, reference, exposure across the event, and had a lot of incredible feedback about the impact of SAHF as a model for regional cooperation to improve not just collaboration on hydromet but also in the development of services,” shared David Corbelli, UKMO Senior International Development Manager, as he summarized key takeaways from the side events.

Looking Ahead 

By the end of the workshop, all participating countries had drafted initial National Demonstration Plans, identifying priority products, user pathways, and pilot locations. Participants emphasized the importance of involving frontline users and local authorities to validate and refine IBF tools.

With the positive feedback and active participation among the participants, RIMES, through the SAHF team, is optimistic in fully realizing the project goal of strengthening regional capacity to deliver standardized, people-centred IBF tools and implement national and regional demonstration projects for temperature-related hazards.

“This workshop signals a decisive move toward operationalizing people-centred early warnings for temperature extremes across South Asia,” expressed SAHF Team Lead Dr. Agarwal. “The momentum is strong, and the commitment from every participating country is very clear.”

Next steps include refining National Demonstration Plans for clear objectives, sectoral partnerships, and seasonal timelines, conducting a Training of Trainers workshop in early 2026 on product generation and indicator development, and finalizing the Regional Framework and Toolkit based on workshop inputs for stakeholder review. 

RIMES Meets with Autoridade Proteção Civil (APC) to Advance Early Warning Collaboration in Timor-Leste

RIMES technical and management team met with the Autoridade Proteção Civil (APC), led by Mr. Martinho Fátima, Deputy of the National Operations Centre of Civil Protection, to strengthen collaboration on the Geohazard Decision Support System (DSS) and enhance early warning dissemination across Timor-Leste.

RIMES is considering the development and integration of multi-source earthquake and tsunami data into a unified DSS platform for the National Directorate of Meteorology and Geophysics (DNMG). The enhanced platform aims to streamline hazard information management, support scenario-based simulations, and facilitate the creation of advisories in both English and Tetum for effective and timely public communication.

The APC team emphasized the importance of simple and accessible communication tools to ensure communities receive timely alerts. RIMES presented plans for a mobile-based DSS application and potential integration with Timor Telecom for automated SMS alerts, enabling faster dissemination once hazard thresholds are reached. Both sides also discussed strengthening system connectivity and integrating radar and AWS data to improve the reliability and speed of warnings.

This meeting reaffirmed the shared commitment of RIMES, APC, and DNMG to strengthening disaster preparedness, advancing end-to-end early warning services, and building community resilience across Timor-Leste.

MMS Delegation Visits RIMES Headquarters to Advance Technical Collaboration

On 29 November 2025, a delegation from the Maldives Meteorological Service (MMS), led by Mr. Ali Shareef, Deputy Director General, Meteorology, arrived at the RIMES Headquarters for a technical exchange visit. Six subject experts joined the mission, with the objective of strengthening institutional cooperation in forecasting, data management, and early warning systems.

Mr. A.R. Subbiah, Director General of RIMES, facilitated discussions on the progress and upcoming work under the SOFF Maldives Project. The delegation reviewed implementation milestones, explored areas for system improvement, and observed how multi hazard data is processed and visualized across platforms aligned with the GBON and WIS frameworks.

A dedicated technical session introduced OSFAS, the Ocean State Forecast and Advisory System that enhances marine and coastal monitoring services. The delegation also toured the RIMES Data Center and the real time monitoring and early warning units to gain first hand insight into the data infrastructure supporting regional hazard monitoring.

RIMES remains committed to working closely with MMS to advance reliable, impact-oriented weather, climate, and disaster resilience services for the Maldives.

ESCAP and RIMES Sign Memorandum of Understanding to Strengthen Regional Disaster Risk Reduction Cooperation

On 26 November 2025, H.E. Mr. Abdulla Ziyad, Minister of State, Minister of State for Tourism and Environment, Maldives, representing the Regional Integrated Multi-Hazard Early Warning System for Africa and Asia (RIMES), signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP).
The signing ceremony took place in Bangkok, during the Ninth Session of the Committee on Disaster Risk Reduction, a highlight of ESCAP’s Disaster Resilience Week 2025.

The MoU was signed by H.E. Mr. Abdulla Ziyad, Minister of State, Ministry of Environment and Energy of Maldives, on behalf of RIMES, and Ms. Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Secretary of ESCAP.

This agreement formalizes a strengthened framework for collaboration between ESCAP and RIMES to accelerate science-based disaster risk reduction, multi-hazard early warning, and capacity development in support of resilient and sustainable development across Asia and the Pacific.

Under the MoU, both organizations will:

• Advance multi-hazard early warning systems and impact-based forecasting;
• Support institutional and technical capacity-building for member States;
• Facilitate joint research, training, and knowledge sharing; and
• Sustain outcomes achieved through the ESCAP Trust Fund for Tsunami, Disaster and Climate Preparedness.

Building on years of collaboration, this renewed partnership aligns with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Early Warnings for All initiative, reflecting a shared vision of a resilient, risk-informed Asia-Pacific region that is better prepared to address the growing challenges of climate change and disasters.

CMA Delegation Visits RIMES Headquarters to Advance Technical Cooperation on Multi Hazard Early Warning Systems

On 13 November 2025, the Regional Integrated Multi Hazard Early Warning System (RIMES) welcomed a delegation from the China Meteorological Administration (CMA) to its Headquarters in Thailand. The delegation included senior specialists from the National Meteorological Centre and the World Meteorological Centre Beijing Office, representing one of the leading meteorological institutions in the region.

The visit aimed to deepen scientific and operational collaboration between RIMES and CMA, with a shared focus on forecasting and modeling, research cooperation, data integration and the enhancement of multi hazard early warning systems. Both organizations discussed opportunities to combine their respective strengths to improve the quality, reach and impact of early warning services across Asia and Africa.

The exchange created a platform for identifying practical pathways for collaboration, including joint research activities, routine data sharing and targeted capacity building for National Meteorological and Hydrological Services in RIMES member countries. The meeting concluded with a commitment to establish technical focal points and develop a short term roadmap that outlines priority themes and potential pilot initiatives.

RIMES values the partnership with CMA and looks forward to advancing a long term collaboration that supports science based, people centered early warning systems and contributes to greater climate resilience across the region.

Be Tsunami Ready: Investing in Tsunami Preparedness

On 5 November 2025, representatives from the Regional Integrated Multi-Hazard Early Warning System for Africa and Asia (RIMES), namely Mitesh V. Sawant, Project Manager; Jitlada Phupijit, Meteorologist & GIS Analyst;  Bojara Asvakittimakul, Oceanographer, and Pat Thananchaisirikul, Communication Officer  attended the World Tsunami Awareness Day and the 27^th Meeting of the Advisory Council to the Trust Fund for Tsunami, Disaster and Climate Preparedness, organized by UN ESCAP at the United Nations Conference Centre in Bangkok, Thailand.

The World Tsunami Awareness Day offers an opportunity to reflect on two decades of progress made possible by the Trust Fund for Tsunami, Disaster and Climate Preparedness. The Fund has been instrumental in building resilience across Asia and the Pacific by strengthening national and regional early warning capacities. This year’s program included a film screening and a high-level dialogue on sustainable financing for tsunami preparedness.

The 27th Advisory Council Meeting focused on shaping the next phase of regional investment, launching a new Call for Proposals under the Trust Fund Strategy 2025–2030 to further enhance multi-hazard early warning systems and climate preparedness.

For RIMES, this event underscored the organization’s continued leadership through its initiative “Operationalizing Impact-Based Forecasting through Localization of Decision Support Systems for the Agriculture and DRR Sectors.” Covering the period 2025–2027, this initiative represents Phase 3 of RIMES’ Impact-Based Forecasting (IBF) program. It focuses on transforming forecast information into actionable decision support tools at both national and community levels in Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.

This phase signifies an important shift from training and capacity development to operational action, ensuring that data-driven forecasts directly inform real-time decisions that protect communities and sustain climate-resilient agriculture. Sustaining these impacts through national ownership, institutional integration, and regional cooperation remains central to RIMES’ long-term approach.

Through its participation, RIMES reaffirmed its commitment to advancing sustainable, impact-based early warning systems that enable proactive and informed decision-making for disaster risk reduction and climate resilience.

UK and Bangladesh launch Hydromet Collaboration to boost flood resilience

DHAKA, Bangladesh – 27 October 2025 – The Governments of the United Kingdom and Bangladesh today officially launched the UK-Bangladesh Hydrological and Meteorological Collaboration, titled “Enhancing Resilience through Improved Climate and Hydrometeorological Services (EnRICH)” Project, to strengthen the country’s flood forecasting, early warning and climate services capacities.

The EnRICH Project, inaugurated at a joint national-level event held at Pani Bhavan in Dhaka, is part of UK’s broader Bangladesh Climate and Environment Programme (BCEP) that addresses climate change and environmental challenges. It aims to enhance the country’s ability to anticipate and respond to extreme weather and climate hazards through timely, reliable, and user-focused warnings and advisories that improve resilience of at-risk communities. 

Funded by the UK Government through the UK International Development, the project will be implemented by the Regional Integrated Multi-Hazard Early Warning System (RIMES) in partnership with the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) and the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD), with technical support from the UK Met Office (UKMO), with geographical focus on the flood-prone districts of Sylhet, Sunamganj, Cumilla, and Feni.

Mr. James Goldman, Development Director and Deputy High Commissioner from the British High Commission, Dhaka, lauded the strong and long-standing partnership between the UK and Bangladesh in advancing climate resilience and disaster preparedness. “We are committed to this partnership that we have with Bangladesh to strengthen climate resilience, protect natural ecosystems, and accelerate the transition to renewable energy. And the work today is very much about partnership, it’s about sharing knowledge, it’s about sharing expertise and looking at how we can work together on these shared challenges,” remarked Mr. Goldman in his message.

Bangladesh, with its low-lying deltaic landscape, is one of the world’s most climate-vulnerable countries. Recurring risks from riverine and flash floods, cyclones, and extreme heat disrupt lives, livelihoods, and economic stability. The severe 2024 floods in the eastern region, which caused widespread damage to infrastructure and agriculture, underscored the urgent need for a more robust early warning and preparedness systems.

Md. Rafius Sazzad, Additional  Director General, Planning Design and Research, BWDB, emphasized that the UK-Bangladesh Hydromet Collaboration is a milestone initiative to enhance localized flood forecasting and early warning systems. Partnering with the UK Met Office and RIMES, the project aims to transfer advanced forecasting technology, build national capacity, and strengthen Bangladesh’s resilience against future floods.      

The EnRICH Project supports the Government of Bangladesh’s ongoing efforts to operationalize Impact-Based Forecasting (IBF) and strengthen resilience to climate-induced disasters, in alignment with national policies and the broader goals of sustainable development and disaster risk reduction. It also complements other UK-supported initiatives such as the Nature-Based Adaptation towards Prosperous and Adept Lives and Livelihoods in Bangladesh (NABAPALLAB) project, implemented by CARE Bangladesh and partners. 

“Today we secure our future with both better prediction and better protection,” said Hon. Advisor Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Adviser to the MoEFCC and MoWR, during the launch of the UK-Bangladesh Hydro-met Collaboration and NABAPALLAB expansion. She emphasized that these ‘twin initiatives’ combine nature-based adaptation and advanced forecasting to strengthen Bangladesh’s climate resilience. She further expressed her gratitude to RIMES and UK Government for supporting Bangladesh through the EnRICH project.

The joint national event highlighted both projects’ contributions to building resilience—ecological and technological—across the country’s most climate-vulnerable regions. It brought together representatives from the Ministry of Water Resources, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, development partners, academia, civil society, and the private sector. 

The EnRICH Project underscores RIMES’s commitment to empowering national institutions with science-based tools, data, and knowledge that translate into actionable early warning and climate services. By fostering collaboration, strengthening technical capacities, and promoting user-centered approaches, RIMES continues to advance its vision of a region where timely, reliable information enables governments and communities to anticipate, prepare for, and respond effectively to climate-related risks—building a safer and more resilient future for all.

RIMES Hosts UNEP-Led Procurement Capacity Building Session for SOFF and GCF Projects

The Regional Integrated Multi-Hazard Early Warning System for Africa and Asia (RIMES) convened an In-Country Procurement Capacity Building Session from 13–17 October 2025 at its headquarters in Thailand. The training was organized in close collaboration with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and brought together representatives from the Maldives Meteorological Service, Ministry of Tourism and Environment of Maldives, and Ministry of Transport and Communications of Timor-Leste (Online), and , along with UNEP project management teams supporting SOFF and GCF initiatives.

The session aimed to strengthen the procurement frameworks, workflows, and risk management processes underpinning the ongoing SOFF Maldives, SOFF Timor-Leste, GCF Maldives, and GCF Timor-Leste projects. Through a series of presentations, discussions, and hands-on exercises, participants reviewed procurement management plans, clarified procedural responsibilities, and identified strategies for ensuring compliance and efficiency in project delivery.

RIMES was honored to host Mr. Emanuele Corino, Procurement and Partners Unit from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), who served as the resource person for the capacity-building session. His guidance provided critical insights into the UN Secretariat’s procurement framework and practical approaches for aligning national and institutional procurement systems with international standards.

The outcomes of this collaborative effort include enhanced understanding of procurement procedures among project teams, clearer coordination mechanisms among implementing partners, and refined procurement action plans that support transparency and timely delivery across all projects.

This capacity-building initiative reinforces RIMES’ commitment to strengthening institutional systems and fostering accountability and integrity in its operations across member countries.

RIMES Contribution to the SEAMARCS Inception Workshop on Sea Level Monitoring and Coastal Resilience

The Regional Integrated Multi-Hazard Early Warning System for Africa and Asia (RIMES) participated in the SEAMARCS Inception Workshop (Strengthening Sea Level Monitoring and Data Management in East Africa for Coastal Resilience and Community Safety), organized under the Flanders-UNESCO Science Trust (FUST) fund, led by IOCAFRICA, IOC/TSR, and the IOC Global Sea Level Observing Network (GLOSS) Programme.

Mr. Bojara Asvakittimakul, Oceanographer at RIMES, joined virtually and delivered a presentation on “Short-term Hazards in the Western Indian Ocean Region, Their Status, and How Sea Level Stations Can Contribute.” His presentation emphasized the increasing vulnerability of coastal and island states in the region to tropical cyclones, floods, and tsunamis, the critical importance of sea-level monitoring in enhancing preparedness and response, and shared examples of sea level station implementation services developed to foster regional collaboration in the Indian Ocean. 

He highlighted how sea-level stations can:

• Provide real-time monitoring to support coastal safety

• Improve hazard prediction and forecast accuracy

• Strengthen national and regional resilience mechanisms

• Transform ocean data into actionable information for decision-makers and communities

   

Through SEAMARCS and broader regional cooperation, RIMES contributes by enhancing data availability, modelling and forecasting capabilities, and sustained capacity building to support disaster risk reduction and long-term coastal resilience in East Africa and the Western Indian Ocean.

More information is available at:
www.rimes.int
IOC SEAMARCS Event

UNEP – RIMES Partnership Monitoring Meeting at RIMES Headquarters

On 23 September 2025, the Regional Integrated Multi-Hazard Early Warning System (RIMES) hosted the UNEP–RIMES Partnership Monitoring Meeting at its Headquarters in Bangkok, Thailand, with the participation of Mr. Jochem Zoetelief, Head of the Climate Early Warning and Capacity Building Unit, UNEP Climate Change Division, Nairobi, Kenya.

The meeting provided a platform to review progress, exchange lessons learned, and identify new opportunities for collaboration between UNEP and RIMES in advancing climate resilience and early warning services.

Key Highlights:

• Review of Ongoing Cooperation: Status, challenges, and next steps in Timor-Leste (GCF project) and updates from Maldives (SOFF and GCF projects), with reflections on lessons learned and operational improvements.
• Strategic Opportunities and Expansion Pathways: Replication of best practices across RIMES sub-regions, and alignment with the 4th Ministers Conference Declaration.
• Joint Planning for Future Cooperation: Mapping near-term proposals, identifying priority thematic areas for 2025–2026, and clarifying roles and responsibilities.
• Open Dialogue: Addressing institutional needs, innovation opportunities, and cross-cutting themes, including gender, social inclusion, climate finance, and resilience partnerships.

• Next Steps: Agreement on follow-up actions and confirmation of focal points.

   

Commitment

The UNEP–RIMES partnership continues to strengthen regional cooperation for climate resilience, ensuring that communities across Asia and beyond benefit from enhanced early warning and capacity-building initiatives.

Training on WRF-EMS Model for NCHM Staff of Bhutan from 22 September to 3 October 2025

RIMES Launches Training on Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) Model for Bhutan’s NCHM

The Regional Integrated Multi-Hazard Early Warning System (RIMES) has commenced the Training Course on Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) Model for Weather Forecasting for the National Center for Hydrology and Meteorology (NCHM), Bhutan. The two-week program runs from 22 September to 3 October 2025 at RIMES Headquarters in Bangkok, Thailand

Training Progress

The training brings together NCHM forecasters and technical staff to strengthen their capacity in using the Weather Research and Forecasting – Environmental Modeling System (WRF-EMS). In the first two days, participants have:

• Explored the WRF-EMS framework and model components

• Installed the system and performed troubleshooting exercises

• Conducted initial 24-hour test runs with physics configuration

What’s Ahead

The coming days will cover advanced modules on:

• Nested domain setup and data assimilation

• Post-processing and visualization tools (ncview, GrADS, Python)

• Forecast verification statistics and downscaling methods

Objective

This training aims to enhance Bhutan’s operational forecasting capabilities, supporting the delivery of accurate and reliable weather forecasts and strengthening national early warning services.

RIMES remains committed to working closely with NCHM and other member states to advance technical skills and build resilience against hydro-meteorological hazards.

South Asia Hydromet Forum: Impact-Based Forecasting Working Group Project Kick Off Meeting | 11–12 September 2025

On 11 – 12 September 2025, the Regional Integrated Multi-Hazard Early Warning System (RIMES)  and the UK Met Office, under the WISER program, convened to finalize and approve the project proposal and implementation plan for the South Asia Hydromet Forum: Impact-Based Forecasting Working Group.

This meeting marked an important milestone in strengthening regional collaboration on impact-based forecasting. Both organizations confirmed alignment on expected outcomes, partnership modalities, and the pathways to deliver impact across South Asia.

Beyond planning, the kick-off enabled partners to build a deeper shared understanding. Discussions focused on:
•    Establishing common goals and pathways for positive change
•    Agreeing on progress reporting and accountability mechanisms
•    Reinforcing knowledge of WISER’s cross-cutting requirements, including Gender, Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI), Value for Money (VfM), Safeguarding, Transformations, Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL), and Stories of Change.

RIMES looks forward to advancing this important collaboration with the UK Met Office to enhance impact-based forecasting capacity and resilience across South Asia.

WMO Workshop on Advancing Regional Climate Centre Products and Services
Focus: African and Pacific Countries

Wrapping up an inspiring week at RIMES!

From 25 – 29 August 2025, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), in collaboration with RIMES, convened the Workshop on Advancing Regional Climate Centre (RCC) Products and Services at AIT, Thailand. The event brought together climate experts from across Africa and the Pacific to strengthen the role of RCCs in delivering timely, user-focused climate services.

Over five days, participants focused on:

• Strengthening RCC capacity to provide high-quality climate services

• Advancing Impact-Based Forecasting (IBF) for agriculture, water, energy, health, and disaster management

• Expanding RCC products across sub-seasonal to climate change timescales

• Practical training with the Climate Services Toolkit (CST)

• Sharing innovations, good practices, and success stories across RCCs and RCC-Networks

The workshop highlighted the importance of collaboration, innovation, and co-production in building stronger climate services. With enhanced RCC capacity and stronger RCC–NMHS partnerships, this event has set the stage for better, faster, and more actionable climate information for communities across Africa and the Pacific.

WMO–RIMES Workshop to Strengthen Regional Climate Centres’ Products and Services

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO), in collaboration with the Regional Integrated Multi-Hazard Early Warning System for Africa and Asia (RIMES), is convening a workshop on Advancing Regional Climate Centre (RCC) Products and Services from 25 to 29 August 2025 in Pathum Thani, Thailand.

The workshop brings together experts from RCCs, RCC-Networks, and National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs) to strengthen the capacity of RCCs in delivering timely, high-quality, and user-responsive climate services. A key feature of the event is the hands-on training on the Climate Services Toolkit (CST), equipping participants with the knowledge to customize and operationalize the toolkit for improved service delivery at national and regional levels.

Through technical sessions, demonstrations, and group discussions, the workshop aims to foster collaboration, knowledge exchange, and innovation. By advancing RCC products and services, this initiative contributes directly to meeting the growing demand for reliable climate information and ensuring that climate services continue to address the evolving needs of societies worldwide.

Agromet FARRM School Field Visit

The Agromet-Forecast Application for Risk and Resource Management (FARRM) School is a joint initiative of RIMES and the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), in collaboration with Save the Children Bangladesh and SKS Foundation, Gaibandha, with funding support from the German Federal Foreign Office (GFFO) under the project “Child-centered Anticipatory Action for Better Preparedness of Communities and Local Institutions in Northern and Coastal Areas of Bangladesh.”

The FARRM School aims to strengthen farmers’ and extension workers’ capacity to adopt climate-smart agricultural practices by providing timely weather information, agrometeorological advisories, and practical farming techniques.

On 8 August, delegates from RIMES, Save the Children Bangladesh, SKS Foundation, and DAE visited two FARRM Schools in Kanchipara Union, Fulchari Upazila, and Chandipur Union, Sundarganj Upazila to engage with participants, assess progress, and gather feedback on the program’s effectiveness.

The visit was attended by:
– Md. Obaidur Rahman Mondol, Director, Field Service Wing, DAE
– Abul Kalam Azad, Program Coordinator, Agricultural and Rural Transformation for Nutrition, Entrepreneurship and Resilience in Bangladesh (PARTNER) Project, DAE
– Md. Sirazul Islam, Additional Director, Gaibandha Upazila
– Md. Khorshed Alam, Deputy Director, Gaibandha Upazila along with Dr. Md Abdul Muyeed, Raihanul Haque Khan, and other RIMES staff members.

During the field visit, farmers shared how the school has helped them use forecasts from the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD), the Bangladesh Agro-Meteorological Information System (BAMIS), and the Khamari mobile application to guide their agricultural decisions. Weather updates via voice messages have enabled timely actions to protect crops and improve yields. Participants also highlighted stronger connections with Sub-Assistant Agriculture Officers (SAAOs), allowing faster resolution of farming issues. Many expressed plans to establish farmer clubs after completing the 24 sessions to sustain knowledge sharing and mutual support.

Through ongoing collaboration between RIMES and DAE, the Agromet FARRM School continues to empower farming communities in Bangladesh, ensuring that climate-smart knowledge is not only learned but effectively applied in practice.

21 June 2024 | Phnom Penh, Cambodia – The 9th Cambodia National Monsoon Forum was successfully convened in Phnom Penh, marking the revival of this critical seasonal forecast-based planning mechanism after a five-year break. Led by Her Excellency Dr. Seth Vannareth, the forum brought together 50 participants from various national agencies, international development partners, and relevant sectors.

Originally launched in January 2011, the Monsoon Forum aims to enhance resource and risk management in sectors such as agriculture, irrigation, health, and disaster management through the application of climate and weather forecasts. The 9th Forum was supported by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) under the Climate Risk Early Warning Systems (CREWS) project, in collaboration with the Regional Integrated Multi-Hazard Early Warning System (RIMES) and the Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology (MOWRAM).

“As Cambodia’s development progresses, climate change needs and anticipation of natural phenomena and natural disasters are essential for planning based on the context of climate change resilience,” said Dr. Vannareth as she opened the Forum. 

 
Her Excellency Dr. Seth Vannareth delivers the opening message during the 9th Cambodia National Monsoon Forum

The participants were composed of representatives from key national agencies including the Department of Meteorology (DOM), the Department of Hydrology and River Works (DHRW), the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF), and the National Committee for Disaster Management (NCDM), as well as international partners such as the World Food Programme (WFP), World Vision, Action Aid, and the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI). 

The morning session featured presentations on weather and climate trends in Cambodia which highlighted the various meteorological and hydrological products and services offered by DOM and DHRW. The Forum also reviewed the 2023-2024 post-monsoon season wherein DOM and DHRW shared their insights into observed weather patterns and flood conditions, comparing them to the initial forecast; and an in-depth discussion on sector-specific impacts and strategies as the participants shared their experiences during the 2023 monsoon season. 

Looking forward, the activity tackled the seasonal climate outlook for June to August 2024 followed by a participative activity where participants developed a risk matrix to identify potential impacts based on the 2024 seasonal outlook. 

“By sharing successes and challenges, we aim to refine national hydromet services, ensuring forecasts are accurate, actionable, and accessible to all stakeholders. RIMES remains a steadfast partner in bridging the gap between scientific forecasting and practical application, enabling more effective responses to climate-related hazards,” expressed Peter Khalil Ferrer, RIMES Project Officer and Capacity Development Specialist.

Plans are underway for the next Monsoon Forum, scheduled for November 2024, to continue building on the discussions and strategies formulated during this event.

This revival of the National Monsoon Forum marks a significant step towards enhancing climate resilience and preparedness in Cambodia, ensuring that the nation is better equipped to manage the challenges posed by seasonal weather patterns. (30)

A project beneficiary in Satkhira district protects her fodder by securing it with rope and polythene to prevent damage from wind and rain

Dhaka, Bangladesh — On May 26, the severe cyclonic storm “Remal” made landfall in the coastal areas of Bangladesh, bringing widespread devastation and challenging the resilience of several communities. The storm was anticipated to cause direct and cascading impacts in project areas of the Regional Integrated Multi-Hazard Early Warning System (RIMES), thus coordinated efforts were made to mitigate the damage.

In partnership with the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD), RIMES closely monitored Cyclone Remal’s progress, issuing timely alerts and advisories to help reduce its impact. This effort was part of the ECHO-funded project “Strengthening Forecast-based Early Actions in Cyclone Prone Coastal Regions in Bangladesh (STEP)”. The project focuses on implementing forecast-based early actions (FBA) and readiness triggers (forecast-based financing) in the pilot districts of Satkhira, Bagerhat, Patuakhali, and Barguna.

“We strive to ensure that communities are better equipped to withstand the devastating impacts of natural hazards like Cyclone Remal. Through timely alerts from the National Hydromet Service providers, anticipatory measures supported by National Disaster Management Authorities, and by strengthening capacities and collaboration with local and regional partners, we enhance our collective resilience,” remarked RIMES Country Program Lead Raihanul Haque Khan.

Ahead of the cyclone, RIMES activated pre-readiness measures to prepare vulnerable communities. Through voice alerts and advisories, approximately 60,000 households were informed and guided on necessary precautions. These messages were disseminated directly to residents and indirectly through the Upazila Disaster Management Committee (UDMC) and Community-Based Organizations (CBOs), including women’s groups, volunteers, and youth forums.

As Cyclone Remal’s arrival became imminent, a critical meeting was convened with the District Relief and Rehabilitation Officers (DRRO) of Satkhira and Patuakhali, representing the District Disaster Management Committee (DDMC). Consistent forecasts of severe rainfall and strong winds led to the declaration of readiness triggers, providing a 48-hour lead time for anticipatory actions.

Under the readiness trigger, the STEP consortium provided financial support of BDT 5,000 to 426 of the most vulnerable households. This cash assistance enabled families to take necessary actions, such as relocating to safer shelters, purchasing fodder for livestock, securing ponds, and stocking up on dry food. These measures were crucial in the districts of Satkhira, Bagerhat, Barguna, and Patuakhali, where lead times ranged from 10 to 12 hours before the cyclone’s impact.

Extended Impact and Continued Support

While the southern and southwestern coastal regions bore the brunt of Cyclone Remal, the hilly areas in the southwest faced heightened risks of landslides due to heavy rainfall. During this period, RIMES, in collaboration with BMD, issued six special bulletins, along with potential impact maps, to inform and guide local officials and humanitarian organizations. These updates were posted on the Integrated Forecast Dissemination (INSTANT) portal, ensuring wide dissemination.

Special Bulletin on May 26th as posted in the INSTANT Portal

In Cox’s Bazar, RIMES leveraged support from the “Strengthening Last Mile Communication” (SLMC) Project, funded by USAID through UCAR, to deliver crucial rainfall and landslide warnings. These advisories reached households in landslide-prone areas of the project’s pilot sites, helping them to take necessary precautions.

The coordinated efforts of RIMES, BMD, and various local and international partners underscore the importance of timely and effective early warning systems in mitigating the impacts of natural disasters. Cyclone Remal’s assault on Bangladesh’s coast highlights both the vulnerabilities of coastal communities and the critical role of preparedness and early action in saving lives and reducing suffering.

For further updates and information, visit the INSTANT portal at https://instant.rimes.int/ and stay tuned to local advisories. #

Dhaka, Bangladesh – In a concerted effort to tackle the escalating threat of heatwaves, the Regional Integrated Multi-Hazard Early Warning System (RIMES) and Save the Children unveiled the Heatwave Alert Portal for the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) and Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) on 06 May 2024. 

The Heatwave Alert Portal, a pivotal part of the El Niño Anticipatory Actions to Drought and Heatwave in Bangladesh Project, provides comprehensive mapping of heatwave conditions across the nation, down to the ward and upazila levels, up to five days in advance. This advanced forecasting capability equips BMD with the essential data to issue timely alerts, empowering the public to prepare effectively for impending heatwaves. 

DNCC Mayor Md. Atiqul Islam lauded the development of the Portal, stressing its significance in empowering stakeholders affected by heatwaves. He emphasized the necessity of city-specific heat action plans and protocols, highlighting the economic repercussions of heatwave-related productivity losses. DNCC’s ongoing heatwave campaign, which includes the distribution of 35,000 umbrellas among vulnerable groups, reflects the proactive measures undertaken to mitigate heatwave impacts. 

Bangladesh, recognized as a climate hotspot in Asia, faces amplified challenges from the broader impacts of climate change, particularly exacerbated by its vulnerable geophysical and socioeconomic conditions. Among these challenges, the looming threat of El Niño-induced heatwaves stands out, posing severe health risks to both humans and livestock. Recognizing the urgency of the situation, mitigation efforts and robust awareness campaigns are necessary to confront this pressing issue.

“At RIMES, we are committed to providing support to the national hydromet service providers  in generating robust climate information and enhancing community resilience through tailored early warning systems. Heatwaves pose a significant threat, and we believe that the Portal will serve as a crucial decision support tool for BMD and DNCC in effectively preparing for and mitigating the impacts of heatwaves,” remarked RIMES Bangladesh Country Program Lead Raihanul Haque Khan.

BMD Director Azizur Rahman expressed the Department’s gratitude for the initiative which will be integrated into BMD’s official website, potentially opening it for public access. This move underscores BMD’s commitment to leveraging innovative tools to better serve the community and disseminate crucial information efficiently. 

Prior to the inauguration of the Heatwave Portal, RIMES and Save the Children in Bangladesh launched a heatwave awareness campaign targeting urban and rural communities with the aim of equipping citizens with essential knowledge and preventive measures. Volunteers led demonstrations on effective heatwave precautions, sparked discussions on resilience strategies, and distributed vital resources such as water bottles and caps.

In parallel efforts, the Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) has established temporary cooling shelters for vulnerable populations, particularly day laborers, in identified heatwave-prone areas. These initiatives underscore a collaborative approach toward mitigating the impacts of heatwaves and safeguarding the well-being of communities across Bangladesh.

Also attending the inauguration were heads and representatives from the Department of Disaster Management, relevant government bodies, United Nations, different non-government organizations, and the media. (30)

The UN Secretary-General António Guterres unveiled an ‘Executive Action Plan for the Early Warnings for All’ initiative during the World Leaders Summit at COP 27. This call for a universal early warning system coverage within the next five years is recognizant of key challenges, including that disaster mortality is eight times higher in countries with limited early warning coverage. The Secretary-General noted that “one out of three persons globally, primarily in Small Island Developing States and Least Developed Countries… lack access to effective early warning systems”.

Investments in early warning systems reduce fatalities and economic losses that are incurred due to disaster events. Since climate hazards do not follow national boundaries, therefore transformative adaptation measures are those that mirror the transboundary nature of disaster risks. Advancing early warning systems, to meet the needs of today and of future generations exposed to intensifying climate hazards, will rely on cooperation.

This compendium of multi-hazard early warning cooperation will capitalize on recent publications1 to identify county-specific challenges and note good practices cooperation arrangements to strengthen forecasting capabilities, early warning coverage, and systems to act on them. This compendium was launched at the G20 Disaster Risk Reduction Working Group Side Event: Early Warning Early Action, 30 March 2023.

November 15-18, 2021

South Asia Hydromet Forum aims to build capacity and strengthen key elements of the hydromet service value chain by leveraging regional innovations and technologies among national, public, private and academic institutions.

South Asia is highly prone to extreme events due to monsoon rainfall variability, cyclones, droughts and other severe weather events, causing major societal impacts. In the past two decades, 3 out of 5 South Asians- more than 1.2 billion people- have been affected by at least one weather-related disaster. The social and economic costs  of such hazards have been staggering. 

Between 1990 and 2020, a total of 1408 natural disasters  have been reported in the South Asia region, which affected over 1.8 billion people and led to 541,245 deaths  and close to US$ 213 billion in damages.  Investments in hydrological, weather, and climate related services (or ‘hydromet’ services) and disaster early warning systems will be critical in saving lives and assets as well as strengthening the resilience of vulnerable communities. International experience suggests  that for every dollar invested in strengthening hydromet services, the estimated benefits are manifold, up to US$ 10.

Supporting regional collaboration for operational forecasting and service delivery

The South Asia Hydromet Forum one (SAHF I) brought into focus the importance of quality delivery of weather, water and climate services and early warning as well as the need for regional collaboration and innovation. SAHF II laid the groundwork for regional cooperation and designed a program to address SAHF priorities which is administered by RIMES. 

SAHF III expands on the SAHF I & II – with a focus on service delivery, regional collaboration, and innovation – in alignment with early warning information value chain approach. The primary goal of SAHF is to iteratively strengthen key elements of the hydromet services value chain by bringing together a wide range of public, academic and private institutions through a demand and context driven approach for co-development of services and capacity building that promotes regional actions and addresses differential needs of NMHSs of SAHF countries.

Major Themes and Highlights from SAHF III

Theme I: Transforming hydromet service delivery

Session 1 – What Users need? Customized weather and climate services that yield value to economies and communities

Session 2 – Making sense of Forecasts! Evolving protocols and support systems for impact-based forecasting

Session 3 – Catching up to the Science – Improving weather and climate forecasts in the region

Theme II: Leveraging innovations and technologies

Session 4  – Skilling up SAR hydromet – Training that leaves an impact

Session 5 – ‘Data, data everywhere but not enough to use’ – Observational systems, regional exchange, information systems

Theme III: Embracing the power of regional cooperation

Session 6 – Regional

Collaborations for improved weather and climate services in South Asia
 

The 27th National Monsoon Forum in Sri Lanka was held virtually in Colombo on Tuesday with an enthusiastic participation of over 70 participants from the Department of Meteorology (DOM), UNESCAP, RIMES and various sectoral agencies.

The Monsoon Forum was hosted by Dr. Shiromani Jayawardene, Director of Weather Forecasting & Decision Support, DOM. In his opening remarks, Mr. Athula Karunanayake, Director General of Meteorology, explained how critical monsoon seasons are, for various sectors in Sri Lanka, contributing much needed rainfall for agriculture (including plantations), water resources, power generation and inland fisheries among others.

“The combined annual contribution of the Second Inter-Monsoon and Northeast Monsoon is about 55% (i.e. 30% from the Second Inter-Monsoon, from October to November; and 25% from the Northeast Monsoon, from December to February), per national average.”, he said, while emphasizing the importance of planning for these seasons. The Monsoon Forum is an important platform for the DOM to better understand and respond to user requirements, and for users in enhancing application of information of various timescales at both institutional and community levels.

Ms. Temily Baker, Program Officer, UNESCAP described various UNESCAP activities on DRR and elaborated on the trust fund that was established following the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. She commended the Monsoon Forum for its achievements in cooperation, forming an interactive, cyclical process that fosters a culture of risk informed preparedness, thus paving the way for early warning, early action, and saving lives.

A review of the 2022 Southwest Monsoon Season, by Mr. Meril Mendis, Deputy Director of Weather Forecasting & Disaster Management of DOM covered the extreme weather events, and observed rainfall and temperature patterns over the period of May – September 2022. The review highlighted a reasonable level of comparison between the probabilistic forecasts and the observed forecasts of the Southwest Monsoon Season of 2022.

Stakeholders presented their specific climate and/or hazard-related experiences, from May to September 2022 (monsoon period), and elaborated how forecast products from DOM were (and can be) used in agriculture, water resources, disaster risk reduction and energy management sectors.

In the agriculture sector, for instance, participants explained how observed below normal rainfall during the period of October-November will directly affect the farmers and thus, impact the food security of the country. They said that they plan to save irrigation water as much as possible, and request farmers to strictly follow the irrigation schedules, and try to get the maximum benefits of the rainwater. To conserve water, they proposed to save rainwater and use rainwater harvesting and conservation methods during the season. It was emphasized that short-term forecasts must be delivered to the farmers as much as possible to minimize damages.

The stakeholders also focused on specific good practices, lessons learnt, recommendations for addressing the current gaps in forecast generation, and challenges in climate information application, through their experiences in the monsoon period. For instance, participants strongly suggested using local languages and other means of communication such as WhatsApp and YouTube in the dissemination of forecasts and information, to reach more stakeholders. It was also recommended to improve the reliability of forecasts, especially where the forecast signals are not very strong.

The Seasonal Outlook for the 2022 Second Inter-Monsoon Season and 2022-2023 Northeast Monsoon Season presented by the DOM showed likely below normal rainfall over most parts of the country, except in the Southwestern parts and in Killinochchi and Jaffna Districts where near normal rainfall are likely from October to December 2022. The DOM also highlighted the possibility of low pressure systems, depressions, and cyclones developing in the Bay of Bengal which may enhance the rainfall over the country during the month of December. Based on the seasonal outlook presented by DOM, participants discussed the potential impacts and risks in their sector and planned for appropriate preparedness strategies. Representatives from each sector who participated in the discussions of the forum provided their remarks and spoke about the priority strategies and plans for enhancing sectoral preparedness.

In her closing remarks, Dr. Jayawardene thanked all the presenters for their contributions and the delegates for their active participation. She emphasized that the DOM would endeavor to cater to the various needs of the different user sectors in the country. She also thanked RIMES and UNESCAP for their support in facilitating the forum.

The Department of Meteorology started to convene the Monsoon Forum annually in 2009 and has successfully sustained the conduct of the forum, biannually, since 2015. The monsoon forum process has become a well-established cycle where the DOM discusses its forecasts with institutional end-users for integration in seasonal planning and implementation of anticipatory management strategies for climate sensitive planning and decision-making.

The 27th Monsoon Forum was supported by the Regional Integrated Multi-Hazard Early Warning System (RIMES) through the project “Enhancing weather and climate resilience in RIMES Member States through capacity building on impact forecasting – Phase 2,” funded by the UNESCAP.

The second session of the South Asia Hydromet Forum (SAHF)’s Executive Council kicked off in Bangkok, Thailand today.

The event is being held in hybrid mode at Rangsit, Thailand on 19 and 20 September, 2022. The SAHF Executive Council (EC) is convening to review progress, agree on strategies and actions identified in the SAHF Regional Approach, establish a mechanism to sustain SAHF beyond the current phase, and decide on the way forward.

The EC members, co-chairs of the SAHF Working Groups and developmental partners are expected to participate in the meeting. RIMES, along with the World Bank, is providing technical support for the meeting. Since its inception, the EC has been an integral part of all SAHF activities through its continued guidance and support. The EC continues to steer the implementation of SAHF activities in the region.

The first EC meeting/ inception meeting was held on 1 April, 2021 virtually where representatives of NMHSs from the region constituted the EC. The SAHF EC is constituted by DG/Directors of NMHSs as a managerial council that develops strategic plans for implementation of the SAHF program to support South Asia regional development in operational forecasting and service delivery.

The SAHF is organized through various processes including the annual SAHF sessions which covers all aspects of the forum and with a representation from a wide group of stakeholders connected to operational hydromet services delivery. Similarly, there are thematic Working Groups (WGs) constituted by nominated experts from NMHSs of the countries. The WGs assess capacity needs and build synergy for regional benefits in the four SAHF thematic areas: Impact Based Forecasting, Numerical Weather Prediction, Capacity Enhancement and Observational Networks. The SAHF also organizes the weekly Forecasters Forum as a communication mechanism between operational forecasters in the region to evaluate and discuss latest climate and weather developments. 31 sessions with participation of nine NMHSs across South Asia have been held so far.

Supported by the World Bank, the South Asia Hydromet Forum (SAHF) is a regional initiative that provides capacity building and training activities to support National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs) to generate and transform climate data into reliable information that are critical in saving lives and assets and strengthening the resilience of communities in South Asia.

Two five-day trainings for National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs) in Pacific countries and South-, Southeast-Asian countries respectively were conducted last week with an aim to enhance their capacities on weather and seasonal forecasting in responding to user demands from various climate-sensitive sectors.

The online trainings covered several topics relevant to weather forecasters to help them enhance their understanding of the current and future state of the atmosphere, and improve their forecasting capacity. The training included sessions on topics such as numerical weather prediction, short and medium range forecasting, climate teleconnections, seasonal forecasting, and communicating forecasts and climate information including forecast uncertainty. The training sessions were divided into presentations, live demonstrations and hands-on exercises to maximize the understanding of the concepts and to help participants apply their knowledge and experience in operational forecasting.

Speaking after the training for Pacific countries, Kasis Inape, Assistant Director, PNG National Weather Service appreciated the opportunity to participate in the workshop and thanked the RIMES team and UNESCAP for organizing the event. According to him, PNG has limited stations and consequently limited data as well, which impinges on their seasonal or climate forecasting. He also highlighted the need to start having access to additional data sources, including satellite data and hands-on training or mentoring for new staff in the next program.

Similarly, at the training for South and South East Asia countries, Assistant Meteorologist Azeema Ahmed at the Maldives Meteorological Service, Ms. Azeema Ahmed said that she found the training very useful and that they were able to identify the current gaps in their forecast. She said that additional in-person trainings on creating forecast maps, improving day-to-day and seasonal forecasting would be useful for all NMHSs in the South Asia region.

The training is a part of the ‘Enhancing Weather and Climate Resilience in RIMES Member States Through Capacity Building on Impact Forecasting – Phase 2” supported by UNESCAP and facilitated by RIMES. UNESCAP has been a key partner for RIMES, right from inception, through the support from its Trust Fund for Tsunami, Climate and Disaster Preparedness for the regional early warning projects in the aftermath of the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami that led to genesis of RIMES in 2009. ESCAP’s continued support through several projects has enabled RIMES to carry out and take forward its mission.

Mr. Hassan Naqvi, Secretary Aviation Division, Ministry of Aviation Government of Pakistan, inaugurated the 8th National Monsoon Forum in Islamabad, Pakistan on Wednesday.  

Mr. Naqvi acknowledged the support provided by RIMES and other key partners to the Pakistan Meteorological Department  (PMD) in strengthening the forecast and early warning services for preparedness and response in all sectors. The forum was attended by senior representatives of PMD, National Disaster Management Authority, Pakistan (NDMA), provincial Disaster Management authorities (PDMAs), the Federal Flood Commission (FFC), relevant ministries, UN agencies, development sector partners and academia.  

The presentations and discussions focused around assessment of previous year’s forecast and actions undertaken, forecast for the current season, planning and implementation of forecast-based anticipatory management strategies by user sectors. In conclusion, the key stakeholders also made recommendations for enhancing forecast generation and application, ensuring robust coordination among the relevant stakeholders, informed and timely decision making and identification of priority interventions based on various scenarios. 

In Pakistan, the Southwest Monsoon season (July to September), contributes to nearly 50% of the country’s annual rainfall.  This year, the monsoon outlook indicates an above average rainfall and negative  deviation in temperature trends in the country.  The drastic and widespread impacts of climate change and variability were also part of the discussions. During the recent past, monsoon season in the country has frequently been associated with recurrent disasters caused by temperature and rainfall fluctuation, i.e.  floods / flash floods, Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFS), heat waves, landslides and droughts which remain extremely detrimental to lives, livelihoods and assets.  

The monsoon forum convenes annually under the stewardship of Pakistan Metrological Department for discussions around seasonal outlook for the monsoon season from July to September. The forum helps strengthen PMD’s linkages with key user sectors and communities and foster understanding of various scientific tools and products for weather/climate sensitive decision-making. The Monsoon Forum would  be followed by an end of season Forum Meeting which is envisaged to review and evaluate the forecasts and their applications across sectors, processes as well as the key lessons learnt.

The workshop aimed to improve understanding of the capacities of various actors, gaps, and the scope of improvement of four components of the Multi-hazard Early Warning System including risk knowledge,  detection, monitoring, and forecasting, communication and dissemination of warnings, and preparedness and response capability. The participants took part in multiple participatory group work sessions, including ‘Stakeholder Mapping,’ ‘Status and Gaps in Multi-Hazard Early Warning System,’ and ‘Cyclone Early Action Matrix Development.’ During the consultation, they shared their opinions on improving the Multi-Hazard Early Warning System in Cox’s Bazar and strengthening coordination and collaboration between the key stakeholders.

Md. Atiqul Haq, Director General of the Department of Disaster Management (DDM), presided over the event as the Chief Guest, along with other senior officials from DDM. He said that reaching the last-mile users of the early warning system on time and choosing the best way to make the process sustainable should be the key priorities for this initiative. Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) from the district administration, local-level representatives from the relevant government departments, and humanitarian agencies, including ISCG, WFP, UNHCR, IFRC, Save the Children, UNDP, etc., also participated in the workshop.

The workshop is a part of the ‘Strengthening Last Mile Communications’ program, which is being implemented in four countries across the South Asia region including Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. It aims to work on climate resilience through the effective dissemination of timely early warning information among last-mile users for improved disaster preparedness and risk mitigation. The initiative is funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) through the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR) and is implemented by RIMES.

Permanent secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Technology, Maldives, Mr. Ajwad Mustafa inaugurated the 7th National Monsoon Forum in Male, Maldives today. 

Mr. Mustafa thanked United Nations ESCAP, RIMES and other partners for their continued assistance to Maldives Meteorological Service (MMS) to engage the climate and weather service user community and maximize their output in respective sectors. He also highlighted the impacts of #climate change including changes in the rainfall pattern over Maldives. 

At the forum, MMS presented the seasonal outlook statement from June to September 2022 which estimates above normal rainfall over some parts of southern and central atolls, and below normal over northern and some parts of central atolls. Representatives from different ministries, departments, sectoral agencies, security agencies, NGOs and community user groups participated in the event.
 

Ms. Mikiko Tanaka, the Director and Head of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) Subregional Office for South and South-West Asia visited the Maldives Meteorological Services (MMS) and RIMES Secretariat in Male, Maldives.

Ms. Tanaka discussed ESCAP’s collaboration with RIMES and highlighted the ongoing programs with Maldives including the joint ESCAP-UNDP Maldives project with the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Technology. She noted RIMES’ important role in advancing the integration of climate services within the broader agenda of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and appreciated RIMES-ESCAP collaboration in the Asia-Pacific on enhancing climate services. She lauded the progress made by RIMES within a short span of time in expanding to cover 48 member and collaborating countries, as well as supporting the generation of science-based information and its application to address varied information needs across time scales for risk-informed decision making.

ESCAP has been a key partner for RIMES, right from its inception, through the support from its Trust Fund for Tsunami, Climate, and Disaster Preparedness for the regional early warning projects in the aftermath of the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami that led to the genesis of RIMES in 2009. ESCAP’s continued support through several projects has enabled RIMES to carry out and take forward its mission.

Meanwhile, Mr. Ali Shareef, Deputy Director General, Maldives Meteorological Services and Focal Point, RIMES Secretariat highlighted the gaps and challenges facing the institution in hydrometeorological service delivery in a rapidly changing climate and the continued collaboration with RIMES to improve existing services. He noted the significant role of the ESCAP-funded National Monsoon Forum in improving end-to-end forecast generation and preparedness strategies for sectoral agencies.

The MMS, in its role as Secretariat to RIMES since 2009 has been steadfast in its continued support for institutional strengthening and development of RIMES to address the needs and demands of RIMES member states and collaborating countries. The Secretariat undertakes an active role in expanding the RIMES membership in close collaboration with RIMES Council across Africa, Asia and the Pacific. In 2021, as RIMES Secretariat, Maldives facilitated and signed the MoU with ESCAP to integrate ESCAP programs with RIMES countries by leveraging RIMES technical and institutional resources. The Maldives RIMES Secretariat is also playing a key role in the formulation of the Joint Strategy and Action Plan with the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) to strengthen the capacities of national meteorological and hydrological services to continue their key contributions in addressing disaster risk reduction and climate change challenges for sustainable development.