Mozambique is upgrading its early warning system against extreme weather in collaboration with CIMA. The Mydewetra platform enables real-time monitoring and impact-based forecasting to inform decision-making and response actions to disasters like floods and cyclones. This initiative emphasizes cost-effective weather station setups and the integration of local data networks, enhancing regional hazard management capabilities.
Mozambique is enhancing its early warning system to combat extreme weather events, in collaboration with the International Center for Environmental Monitoring Research Foundation (CIMA) from Italy. The initiative aims to improve forecasting and responses to disasters such as floods, droughts, and cyclones, all of which are increasingly affecting the region.
Central to this effort is the establishment of a “situation room,” which utilizes the Mydewetra platform for real-time weather hazard monitoring. Mydewetra aggregates various data sources, including satellite imagery and meteorological station inputs, to produce maps and alerts that guide decision-making prior to disasters. Initially designed for Italy’s Civil Protection Department, the platform is now applied in approximately 20 low- and middle-income countries.
Mozambique’s heightened risk of cyclones has encouraged the use of Mydewetra for impact-based forecasting, which assesses potential consequences on communities and infrastructure. Alberto Armando from Mozambique’s National Institute for Disaster Management explains, “We analyze data to predict potential impacts on people and infrastructure.” During Cyclone Chido, this system effectively aided the response process by facilitating alerts to humanitarian organizations.
The upgraded system also integrates with the African Multi-Hazard Early Warning and Early Action System (AMHEWAS), enhancing regional forecasting capabilities. Lauro Rossi of CIMA emphasizes the cost-effectiveness of building professional weather stations, mentioning that new stations can be assembled for a few hundred euros. Existing non-functional stations can be restored by replacing components rather than complete overhauls.
Together with the NGO WeWord, CIMA has deployed weather and river stations across Manica province in Mozambique. These stations are designed to transmit data using local networks and can operate on various power sources such as solar panels and backup batteries, ensuring continuity even when local networks fail. Luca Ferraris, president of CIMA, notes the importance of sharing data freely to reduce financial barriers.
The system also incorporates drone technology for civil protection purposes. Drones assist in creating urban flood models and mapping river conditions, which helps expedite the updating of water level information compared to traditional methods. According to the UN’s Early Warning for All Initiative, effective early warning systems must integrate risk knowledge, hazard detection, and response preparedness.
Loretta Hieber Girardet from the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction recognizes the complexities of managing early warning systems, which cannot be handled by a single institution. She highlights that many countries invest in only parts of the early warning framework instead of the entire value chain, limiting their effectiveness.
Mozambique’s initiative to enhance its weather technology through collaboration with CIMA represents a significant step in building resilience against extreme weather events. The Mydewetra platform, along with new data collection methods, enables better forecasting and response capabilities, thereby improving safety for vulnerable populations. This comprehensive approach, integrating technology and partnerships, positions Mozambique to better manage disaster risks in the future.
Original Source: spectrum.ieee.org
