By Jones Gadama
In a bid to strengthen its capacity to monitor and predict weather patterns, the Department of Climate Change and Meteorological Services (DCCMS) is set to acquire state-of-the-art weather radars for deployment across all regions of Malawi.
This strategic move is aimed at significantly enhancing the country’s early warning systems, thereby reducing the risks associated with climate-related disasters.
Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Natural Resources and Climate Change, Dr. Yusuf Mkungula, confirmed this development while addressing a training workshop in Blantyre focused on soliciting ideas for improving early warning systems.
Dr. Mkungula emphasized that the lack of adequate equipment has long hampered the effectiveness of Malawi’s climate services.
“We are committed to improving our climate service information to better serve the nation,” he stated.
The World Bank has pledged continued support to Malawi’s efforts to mitigate the impacts of climate change.
Catalina Marulanda, World Bank Representative, assured that the organization will provide both technical and financial assistance to the Malawian government.
“This support is crucial in bolstering the country’s capacity to address climate-related challenges,” Marulanda noted.
Echoing the need for a coordinated approach, Dr. Joshua Ngaina, Project Manager for the World Meteorological Organization in Malawi, stressed the importance of fostering good collaboration among stakeholders involved in early warning systems.
“This collaborative effort is key to achieving significant improvements in our ability to prepare for and respond to weather-related threats,” Dr. Ngaina said.
This initiative marks a significant step forward in Malawi’s proactive stance on climate change mitigation and adaptation.
By investing in advanced weather monitoring technology and fostering partnerships with key stakeholders, the government aims to safeguard communities through more accurate and timely weather forecasting and early warning systems.
