Accurate weather forecasting can play a crucial role in being better prepared for weather-induced disasters such as floods and droughts. To enhance the meteorological observation and forecasting, officials from the National Centre for Hydrology and Meteorology (NCHM) and the Department of Disaster Management (DDM) will undergo various training from Japanese experts.
Starting next year, nine experts from Japan will train the officials on early warning and river management plan, GIS and flood assessment, early warning system, meteorological and calibration among others.
“As our staff gets trained by these experts in using satellite imagery, in doing weather forecasting more accurately, and also analysing hydrological data, flood assessments, so these skills would actually help them prepare a more accurate forecast. Let’s say if you prepare a very good precipitation forecast, that would become boundary condition or initial point for flood forecasting. So our flood forecasting would also improve because of your improved output of weather forecasting,” said Phuntsho Namgyal, the Chief Engineer of Hydromet Operations at the NCHM.
The project will also gear towards placing well-equipped infrastructure in Thimphu and Paro river basins with better detection systems, control rooms and sirens. The project which was finalised yesterday between JICA, NCHM and DDM will be for three years.
Samten Dolkar.
