The project built capacity of Myanmar Red Cross Society (MRCS) on application of forecast and warning information in planning and decision-making. Key activities included customization of MRCS early warning, early action training manual; training of trainers; and training of MRCS volunteers.

This consultancy service trained MRCS trainers on early warning, using materials developed by RIMES from an earlier consultancy engagement.

The project assessed tsunami risk to the Betano refinery project in Timor-Leste, to guide land development and structural design of the refinery plant and related facilities. Key activities included data collection and preparation, digital elevation model development, tsunami risk assessment and zoning, and generation of tsunami inundation maps.

The project exposed Pakistan policymakers to climate risk management and climate change adaptation policies and practices in Philippines and Thailand to enable participants to integrate learning into the implementation of Intercooperation Pakistan’s project on livelihoods programme Hindukush. Key activities included organization and technical inputs to the study visit.

The training aimed to build capacity of the National Center for Hydrology and Meteorology, Bhutan, on hydrology.

The project aims to develop and implement a functional agromet advisory service in 2 pilot sites (Paro and Sarpang), assess the Department of Agriculture (DOA) technical capacity for agromet services, and provide training on crop modeling, decision support systems (DSS), and integration of climate information in farming system models to develop adaptive capacity to mitigate climate risks.

Activities include:
Identification of key climate/ weather information relevant to agricultural research and development in Bhutan

Documentation of different cropping systems at the pilot sites, and identification of key production cycles where climate and weather information can lead to improved decision-making

Recommendations for climate products/ forecast systems that the National Center for Hydrology and Meteorology (NCHM) could develop

Review of existing weather, cropping, and other agricultural data at the pilot sites, and identification of data gaps

Development and testing of agromet advisory system

Development and testing of suitable ICT tools and SOP for communicating/ disseminating agromet information and farm advisories to farmers and extension and research officers at the pilot sites

Assessment of DOA technical capacity for agromet services and need to establish an Agromet Unit within DOA, linked with NCHM

Preparation of tender documents for procurement of hardware and software for DSS implementation

Technical guidance to DOA on the analysis of meteorological and agricultural data to prepare agro-advisories

Development of training and capacity development plan

Training for Royal Government of Bhutan (RGOB) officials and research and extension staff on analysis of climate and agriculture data for research use and development of farm advisory services

Support for DOA in creating awareness and sensitizing researchers, extension staff, and farmers on the importance and usefulness of agrometeorology

Preparation of manuals and guidelines for promoting, analyzing and implementing agro-met advisory services

Development of working protocols/ SOP for Agromet Unit and MoAF stakeholders for the DSS

Stakeholder consultations to receive feedback on DSS design and functionality, and to monitor product application

The project developed materials for and delivered a training program on end-to-end early warning, for Relief and Resettlement Department staff at national, regional, and township levels

The project aimed to build capacity of National Center for Hydrology and Meteorology, Bhutan, on flood forecasting. It involved development and installation of hydrological model and flood forecasting system.

The project aimed at enhanced delivery of and user responses to flood forecast and warning information. Key activities included establishment of participatory phone-based data collection system from manual water level gauges; dashboard development for flood early warning at Flood Forecasting and Warning Center; development of flood risk maps; and local level capacity building on flood risk information application.

SASCOF-13 gathered NMHSs of the South Asian region to prepare consensus seasonal climate information on regional scale, as guidance to the preparation of national level climate outlooks. Involvement of users from key sectors facilitated NMHS interaction with its users, to understand and enhance the use of climate information.

The project aimed to strengthen emergency preparedness in Myanmar by having better-informed risk assessments and early warning, and stronger capacities to respond to everyday small-scale disasters. Key activities included establishment of and support to district level warning information generator-users forum; training of trainers on early warning audit and on forecast interpretation and translation; and establishment of redundant communication systems for early warning.

The project aims to build capacity of:
DOM to generate climate information at different timescales using NWP model and long-range statistical models

DOH on basic and advanced hydrology

Climate-sensitive sectors through Monsoon Forum process

Farmers through FARM School

Activities include:
Training of trainers on basic and advanced NWP modeling and statistical model-based seasonal climate prediction

Two basic training on meteorology for MOWRAM and PDOWRAM staffs

Customization of RIMES’ seasonal forecast system, and system transfer to and training of DOM

Two basic and advanced training on hydrology for MOWRAM and PDOWRAM

Enhancement of SESAME, with addition of drought monitoring module and dissemination systems by voice messaging and mobile application

Transfer of enhanced SESAME to DOA, including training of admin users

Training of trainers for DOA as expert users of SESAME

Two Monsoon Forums to train institutional users in applying seasonal forecast in sectoral planning

Write-shop for FARM School curriculum and module adaptation

Training of Trainers for DOA officials on FARM School

Training of farmers at pilot sites through FARM School

Progress monitoring, evaluation and reporting

RIMES supported Columbia University’s international research and application project, specifically on project scoping on use of climate information in decision-making processes in Bihar, India

This project component aimed for availability of marine observations in support of ocean state forecasting for Seychelles and Sri Lanka. Key activities included site identification, survey, and selection; wave rider buoy acquisition, importation, and deployment; establishment of onshore data receiving facility; and development and implementation of real-time marine observation data acquisition and feedback systems.

RIMES supports WMO in implementing the Southeast Asia component of its project under the Climate Risk and Early Warning Systems (CREWS) initiative. Key activities include: Identification of ongoing/ recently completed regional and national programs and projects relevant to multi-hazard early warning systems (MHEWS) and disaster risk reduction in the project countries Identification, analysis, and documentation of various assessments of capacities, gaps, and needs relevant to MHEWS at regional, national, and sub-national/ local levels in the countries Mapping of how outcomes of these activities have addressed or are expected to address identified needs, and identification of remaining information needs for MHEWS at national and regional levels Review and documentation of existing national early warning context in the countries National stakeholder workshops to validate and enhance assessment results Regional and country-specific briefs providing comprehensive overview of MHEWS capacities, gaps and needs in the countries, including recommendations with corresponding resource requirements to enhance MHEWS

This project component aimed at improving data availability in support of flood forecasting and warning through establishment of 5 automatic weather stations and 15 automatic water level stations. Key activities included site identification, survey, and selection; equipment acquisition; onsite installations and telemetry; testing and integration into national and regional systems; and onsite training on operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting.

The project aimed to develop longer-lead flood forecasts for Karnali, Narayani, and Babai basins, and demonstrate their application in decision-making for resource management and disaster risk reduction. Key activities included flood forecast model development, testing, and validation; decision support system development for flood risk assessment and warning; and training and technology transfer.

The project supported Deltares in implementing its flood early warning mobile services project. Key activities included user need assessment; technical inputs to user application development for flood early warning; and application demonstrations at pilot sites.

This project component aimed at improving data availability in support of flood forecasting and warning through establishment of 5 automatic weather stations and 15 automatic water level stations. Key activities included site identification, survey, and selection; equipment acquisition; onsite installations and telemetry; testing and integration into national and regional systems; and onsite training on operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting.

The project aimed to develop longer-lead flood forecasts for Ayeyarwady, Chindwin, and Sittoung basins, and demonstrate their application in decision-making for resource management and disaster risk reduction. Key activities included flood forecast model development, testing, and validation; decision support system development for flood risk assessment and warning; and training and technology transfer.

The project aimed to strengthen capacities of stakeholders at sub-national level in linking climate information to planning and decision-making. Under BRACED overarching target outcome for vulnerable communities, driven by women and children, and supported by effective institutions to be more resilient to identified climate shocks and stresses, the project specifically aims for improved communication, access to, and use of resilience information; and improved planning and decision-making.

Activities included climate profiling based on analysis of historical data for 8 priority townships (Hpaan, Kaba-aye, Kengtung, Kyaukpyu, Labutta, Mawlamyine, Meiktila, Tangoup); policy/applied research on climate information needs for decision-making in Myanmar; technical support to the Department of Meteorology and Hydrology on convening Regional/Sub-National Monsoon Forums in 7 States/Regions (Ayeyarwaddy, Rakhine, Kayin, Mandalay, Shan, Mon, Yangon) for enhancing climate information access and utilization; capacity building of national (training of trainers) and sub-national (local level training) stakeholders on climate forecast translation into potential impacts and management strategies; capacity building of national focal points (training of trainers) on hazard-ready community audit; local/community level audits and certification; demand-based and location-specific technical assistance to strengthen early warning/ risk communication

The project aimed at developing probabilistic seismic hazard maps for Metro Manila, Philippines to guide private sector investment. Key activities included compilation of past observed seismicity; modeling of earthquake sources; hazard assessment; and generation of ground motion records.

The project aimed to develop longer-lead flood forecasts for Pasig-Marikina basin and two other basins in the country, and demonstrate their application in decision-making for resource management and disaster risk reduction. Key activities included flood forecast model development, testing, and validation; decision support system development for flood risk assessment and warning; and training and technology transfer.

The project assessed earthquake risks to the Betano refinery project in Timor-Leste to guide structural design of the refinery plant and related facilities. Key activities included modeling of earthquake sources; identification of models that reasonably represent attenuation characteristics of earthquake ground motions in the area; hazard evaluation; and production of probabilistic seismic hazard maps.

The training aimed to build capacity of the National Center for Hydrology and Meteorology, Bhutan, on numerical weather prediction. The training included NWP model installation, customization, and product interpretation.

The project reviewed and profiled existing climate information products and services for the agriculture and food security sector in Southeast Asian countries, in support of CGIAR’s research program on climate change, agriculture and food security. Key activities included inventory and assessment of available climate information products and services, and of climate-related agricultural and food security decision support tools; profiling of providers and users of climate information products and services; and documentation of institutional and farm level utilization of climate information

The project supports HRC in its development of a Flash Flood Guidance System for the South Asian region. The project focuses on evaluation/ verification of forecast precipitation accumulations from mesoscale numerical weather prediction models over the region, covering 1-, 3-, 6-, and 24-hour lead times, for identified basins, regions, and seasons.

The project provided data support to Asian Institute of Technology for its project on “Development of alternative forecasted short-range rainfall and capability improvement of reservoir operation optimization”. RIMES provided rainfall forecast data in digital and graphic files for the period Aug 2008 – Jun 2013.

The project supported IRRI’s programs on real-time crop monitoring and policy information and response platform on climate change and rice in ASEAN and its Member Countries. Key activities included provision of relevant climate data and weather information products; and technical inputs to establishment of comprehensive information system for climate information-based early warning system in rice producing countries in Asia, and in the development of comprehensive engagement strategy for integrating and mainstreaming climate information-based early warning system into policy and practice in ASEAN Member States.

RIMES supported Columbia University in implementing the project in Bihar, India, particularly: Development of Farmer Field School Curriculum Training of Trainers Training of farmers Research support: Bihar climatology, contributing to identification of suitable forecast products for Bihar context Bihar agro-ecosystem and impact of weather events and their impacts on plant, pest and diseases, and plant growth; identification of input requirements based on weather conditions; and development of suitable planting strategies based on available weather/ climate forecasts

In order to achieve RIMES’ long term goal -forearmed, forewarned and resilient communities-, the development of basic early warning capacity in each Member State is needed first. For that purpose, RIMES Master Plan defines five strategic components for the period 2010-2014. In this section, projects implemented by RIMES under each of these five areas can be found:

• Program Area 1: Establishment and Maintenance of Core Observing and Monitoring Stations
• Program Area 2: Provision of Tsunami Watch and Coastal Inundation Forecasts
• Program Area 3: Support to NMHSs in Provision of Localized Hydro-Meteorological Risk Information
• Program Area 4: Capacity Building in Early Warning at all Levels
• Program Area 5: Research and Development
• Other programs and projects

Countries covered by RIMES’ projects

Ongoing Projects

Completed Projects

• Climate Risk Management Technical Assistance Support Project

Ongoing Projects

• Enhancing early warning system for community-based response in Bangladesh under SHOUHARDO- II
• Piloting of Bay of Bengal cyclones and depression tracks and landfall for enhanced accuracy and improved lead time for disaster risk reduction in Nobo Jibon Program areas, Bangladesh
• Reducing risks of tsunami, storm surges, large waves, and other natural hazards in low elevation coastal zones
• Seismic Hazard and Risk Assessment of Six Cities in Bangladesh
• Climate Adaptation and Resilience (CARE) for South Asia

Completed Projects

• Development of flood forecast technology in Bangladesh
• End-to-end Early Warning of Tsunamis and other Natural Hazards for Disaster Preparedness and Mitigation in the Indian Ocean and Southeast Asia: Phase 2

Ongoing Projects

Completed Projects

• Development of Bhutan’s national weather and flood forecasting and warning center
• Establishment of a network of automatic weather and hydrological stations in Bhutan
• Expanded Climate Risk Management Technical Assistance Support Project

Ongoing Projects

Completed Projects

• Enabling Environment for Integrating Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation in Southeast Asia
• End-to-end Early Warning of Tsunamis and other Natural Hazards for Disaster Preparedness and Mitigation in the Indian Ocean and Southeast Asia: Phase 2
• Linking information and decision-making to improve food security in selected countries of the Greater Mekong Sub-region
• Strengthening early warning systems for extreme weather events to advance climate risk management in the Southeast Asian region
• Support for Climate Risk Management and Forecasting in Cambodia, Lao PDR, and Myanmar
• Support to the generation and use of climate forecasts for climate risk management and food security

Ongoing Projects

• Development and Implementation of an Integrated Ocean Information System for Indian Ocean Countries

Completed Projects

• Development of a pilot digital elevation model for Comoros Islands

Ongoing Projects

Completed Projects

• Climate Risk Management Technical Assistance Support Project

Ongoing Projects

• Reducing risks of tsunami, storm surges, large waves, and other natural hazards in low elevation coastal zones

Completed Projects

• Expanded Climate Risk Management Technical Assistance Support Project

Ongoing Projects

Completed Projects

• Climate Risk Management Technical Assistance Support Project
• Enabling Environment for Integrating Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation in Southeast Asia
• Enhancing capacities of National Red Cross Societies in Indonesia, Philippines, and Vietnam on early warning information interpretation, translation, and application for preparedness
• Facilitating the integration of tsunami warning by strengthening multi-hazard warning systems in Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Indonesia, and the Philippines

Ongoing Projects

Completed Projects

• Enabling Environment for Integrating Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation in Southeast Asia
• End-to-end Early Warning of Tsunamis and other Natural Hazards for Disaster Preparedness and Mitigation in the Indian Ocean and Southeast Asia: Phase 2
• Linking information and decision-making to improve food security in selected countries of the Greater Mekong Sub-region
• Support for Climate Risk Management and Forecasting in Cambodia, Lao PDR, and Myanmar
• Support to the generation and use of climate forecasts for climate risk management and food security

Ongoing Projects

• Reducing risks of tsunami, storm surges, large waves, and other natural hazards in low elevation coastal zones

Completed Projects

• Development of high-resolution climate change model for the Maldives through statistical and dynamic downscaling of global climate change models to provide projections
• End-to-end Early Warning of Tsunamis and other Natural Hazards for Disaster Preparedness and Mitigation in the Indian Ocean and Southeast Asia: Phase 2

Ongoing Projects

• Development and Implementation of an Integrated Ocean Information System for Indian Ocean Countries

Completed Projects

Ongoing Projects

Completed Projects

• Expanded Climate Risk Management Technical Assistance Support Project

Ongoing Projects

• Development and Implementation of an Integrated Ocean Information System for Indian Ocean Countries

Completed Projects

• Climate Risk Management Technical Assistance Support Project

Ongoing Projects

• Enhancing coastal hazard early warning and response: tools and institutional strengthening
• Reducing risks of tsunami, storm surges, large waves, and other natural hazards in low elevation coastal zones
• Strengthening of Myanmar’s Multi-Hazard Early Warning System

Completed Projects

• Enabling Environment for Integrating Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation in Southeast Asia
• End-to-end Early Warning of Tsunamis and other Natural Hazards for Disaster Preparedness and Mitigation in the Indian Ocean and Southeast Asia: Phase 2
• Establishment of a network of 4 real-time seismic stations in Myanmar, Philippines, and Vietnam
• Linking information and decision-making to improve food security in selected countries of the Greater Mekong Sub-region
• Support for Climate Risk Management and Forecasting in Cambodia, Lao PDR, and Myanmar
• Support to the generation and use of climate forecasts for climate risk management and food security

Ongoing Projects

• Climate Adaptation and Resilience (CARE) for South Asia

Completed Projects

• Development of weather forecast modeling and flood forecasting system for Nepal
• Expanded Climate Risk Management Technical Assistance Support Project

Ongoing Projects

• Climate Adaptation and Resilience (CARE) for South Asia

Completed Projects

• Expanded Climate Risk Management Technical Assistance Support Project

Ongoing Projects

• Enhancing coastal hazard early warning and response: tools and institutional strengthening

Completed Projects

• Enabling Environment for Integrating Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation in Southeast Asia
• End-to-end Early Warning of Tsunamis and other Natural Hazards for Disaster Preparedness and Mitigation in the Indian Ocean and Southeast Asia: Phase 2
• Enhancing capacities of National Red Cross Societies in Indonesia, Philippines, and Vietnam on early warning information interpretation, translation, and application for preparedness
• Establishment of a network of 4 real-time seismic stations in Myanmar, Philippines, and Vietnam
• Establishment of a network of 6 near real-time sea level stations in Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam
• Facilitating the integration of tsunami warning by strengthening multi-hazard warning systems in Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Indonesia, and the Philippines

Ongoing Projects

Completed Projects

• Use of climate data and climate change projections in Asia and the Pacific in project design

Ongoing Projects

• Enhancing coastal hazard early warning and response: tools and institutional strengthening
• Reducing risks of tsunami, storm surges, large waves, and other natural hazards in low elevation coastal zones

Completed Projects

• End-to-end Early Warning of Tsunamis and other Natural Hazards for Disaster Preparedness and Mitigation in the Indian Ocean and Southeast Asia: Phase 2
• Expanded Climate Risk Management Technical Assistance Support Project
• Facilitating the integration of tsunami warning by strengthening multi-hazard warning systems in Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Indonesia, and the Philippines

Ongoing Projects

• Development and Implementation of an Integrated Ocean Information System for Indian Ocean Countries

Completed Projects

Ongoing Projects

• Enhancing coastal hazard early warning and response: tools and institutional strengthening
• Reducing risks of tsunami, storm surges, large waves, and other natural hazards in low elevation coastal zones

Completed Projects

• End-to-end Early Warning of Tsunamis and other Natural Hazards for Disaster Preparedness and Mitigation in the Indian Ocean and Southeast Asia: Phase 2
• Establishment of a network of 6 near real-time sea level stations in Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam

Ongoing Projects

Completed Projects

• Strengthening early warning systems for extreme weather events to advance climate risk management in the Southeast Asian region

Ongoing Projects

Completed Projects

• Enabling Environment for Integrating Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation in Southeast Asia
• End-to-end Early Warning of Tsunamis and other Natural Hazards for Disaster Preparedness and Mitigation in the Indian Ocean and Southeast Asia: Phase 2
• Enhancing capacities of National Red Cross Societies in Indonesia, Philippines, and Vietnam on early warning information interpretation, translation, and application for preparedness
• Establishment of a network of 4 real-time seismic stations in Myanmar, Philippines, and Vietnam
• Establishment of a network of 6 near real-time sea level stations in Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam
• Facilitating the integration of tsunami warning by strengthening multi-hazard warning systems in Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Indonesia, and the Philippines

The project aims to define enabling conditions for practical integration of disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation in Southeast Asia. Key activities are the review of institutional mechanisms for, and policies, projects, and research on disaster risk reduction (DRR) and climate change adaptation (CCA); and analysis of enabling conditions for DRR and CCA integration.

The project developed climate, flood, and flashflood forecasting and application technologies, and transferred these to and built capacities of Government of Bangladesh institutions and professionals for operationalization. Key activities include the development and improvement of weather, climate, and flood forecast schemes of 1-6 days, 20-25 days, and 1-6 months lead times; the transfer of the above forecast technologies; development of localized forecast products for flashfloods and lengths of dry and wet spells within the monsoon season; the development and delivery of capacity building program for Bangladeshi scientists; and demonstrations through pilot projects of the end-to-end forecast generation and application system

RIMES, as a resource center for Member States, continuously engage in research and development activities to enable it to deliver cutting-edge technology and capacity building on new techniques and tools for analysis and application. The research agenda is driven by the search for low-cost, but efficient technologies; rapid provision of increasingly

Ongoing Projects:

• Seismic Hazard and Risk Assessment of Six Cities in Bangladesh

Completed Projects:

• Development of high-resolution climate change model for the Maldives through statistical and dynamic downscaling of global climate change models to provide projections
• Enabling Environment for Integrating Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation in Southeast Asia

An effective early warning system links technical agencies that generate warning information with people at risk. This is called end-to-end early warning system. In order to strength this system, RIMES builds forecasters’ capacities in observation and monitoring; data process and analysis; prediction and forecasting; risk assessment; warning formulation and dissemination until the last mile; preparation of response options; and system adjustment. It also builds user’s capacities in translating warning information into impact outlooks and response options, and their application in making decisions to reduce disaster risks

To reveal gaps and ensure the functionality and reliability of end-to-end early warning systems, periodic system audits are required. RIMES also assists countries by providing technical guidance and facilitation in early warning system audits. The projects carried out by RIMES under this area enhance enabling mechanisms for a people-centered early warning system, as espoused by the Hyogo Framework for Action.

Ongoing Projects:

• Enhancing early warning system for community-based response in Bangladesh under SHOUHARDO- II
• Piloting of Bay of Bengal cyclones and depression tracks and landfall for enhanced accuracy and improved lead time for disaster risk reduction in Nobo Jibon Program areas, Bangladesh
• Reducing risks of tsunami, storm surges, large waves, and other natural hazards in low elevation coastal zones
• Strengthening of Myanmar’s Multi-Hazard Early Warning System

Completed Projects:

• Climate Risk Management Technical Assistance Support Project
• Enhancing capacities of National Red Cross Societies in Indonesia, Philippines, and Vietnam on early warning information interpretation, translation, and application for preparedness
• Expanded Climate Risk Management Technical Assistance Support Project
• Facilitating the integration of tsunami warning by strengthening multi-hazard warning systems in Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Indonesia, and the Philippines

With increasing awareness of the potential impacts of climate change, it is realized that socio-economic sectors such as water, agriculture or fisheries, that are highly sensitive to weather and climate extremes like droughts, floods, cyclones and storms, heat waves or cold waves, have to enhance the use of climate information; however, decision-makers in these sectors are not sufficiently equipped to make effective use of climate information to manage current and future climate risks.

RIMES facilitates development/enhancement of enabling mechanisms for countries to make full use of global information and services. RIMES also provides a test bed for translating research products into operational products for application; facilitates linkages for accessing information necessary for prediction and forecasting; provides training in numerical prediction and downscaling for generating tailored forecast products, in collaboration with the World Meteorological Organization, as well as interpretation and translation of forecast products into user-friendly information.

Ongoing Projects:

• Enhancing early warning system for community-based response in Bangladesh under SHOUHARDO- II (Integrated into Program Area 4)
• Piloting of Bay of Bengal cyclones and depression tracks and landfall for enhanced accuracy and improved lead time for disaster risk reduction in Nobo Jibon Program areas, Bangladesh (Integrated into Program Area 4)
• Reducing risks of tsunami, storm surges, large waves, and other natural hazards in low elevation coastal zones (Integrated into Program Area 4)
• Strengthening of Myanmar’s Multi-Hazard Early Warning System (Integrated into Program Area 4)

Completed Projects:

• Development of Bhutan’s national weather and flood forecasting and warning center
• Development of flood forecast technology in Bangladesh
• Development of weather forecast modeling and flood forecasting system for Nepal

UNESCO/IOC operational requirements for Regional Tsunami Service Providers (RTSPs) include the linking of earthquake and tsunami forecast information with local hazard and risk assessment and inundation models through National Tsunami Watch Centers (NTWCs) to provide coastal inundation forecasts for threatened communities (Tsunami Service Level 3). Inundation forecasts are useful in guiding preparedness activities, such as evacuation and mobilization of response resources for a tsunami emergency, to longer-term preparedness activities, such as risk awareness, emergency preparedness planning, evacuation drills, etc.

There have been a number of efforts on tsunami risk assessment by various external institutions; however, a key gap in these efforts has been capacity building of partner institutions in risk assessment tools. RIMES plays a key role in the region providing capacity building to Member States in end-to-end early warning. RIMES works with regional and global centers in developing low-cost technologies for tool development, provides a test bed for testing these tools for operational applications, transfers these technology and tools to Member States, and trains technical/ operational staffs in tool application.

Ongoing Projects:

• Development and Implementation of an Integrated Ocean Information System for Indian Ocean Countries
• Enhancing coastal hazard early warning and response: tools and institutional strengthening

Completed Projects:

• Development of a pilot digital elevation model for Comoros Islands
• End-to-end Early Warning of Tsunamis and other Natural Hazards for Disaster Preparedness and Mitigation in the Indian Ocean and Southeast Asia: Phase 2
• Establishment of RIMES regional facility for tsunami watch provision

Data from dense observation network are ideally required for proper monitoring of atmospheric, sea/ocean, and geologic elements, and for assimilation into numerical predictions for the generation of forecasts (e.g. weather, tsunami, marine, etc.) and subsequent timely issuance of early warning information for disaster prevention. Currently, data shared globally is inadequate for prediction and generation of high-resolution forecast products.

While establishment of key observation stations are a national responsibility, some observation stations generate data for regional benefit. Resource-deficient countries are often unable to establish observation stations that are of regional interest. RIMES works on establishing this kind of stations and, when host countries need assistance, share the responsibility of operating and maintaining these stations. RIMES also facilitates the enlistment of observing and monitoring stations in global networks, for sharing data globally.

Ongoing Projects:

Completed Projects:

• Establishment of a network of 4 real-time seismic stations in Myanmar, Philippines, and Vietnam
• Establishment of a network of 6 near real-time sea level stations in Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam
• Establishment of a network of automatic weather and hydrological stations in Bhutan