National Centre Of Meteorology Leads Workshop On Enhancing Flood Forecasting Efforts

The National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) recently hosted a workshop on flood forecasting, focusing on initiatives and global best practices in flood preparedness and mitigation. Titled "Enhancing Cooperation Forecasting and Managing Flash Flooding," the event featured interactive presentations and expert-led sessions on flood monitoring and forecasting, facilitating knowledge exchange among participants.

Dr. Abdulla Al Mandous, Director-General of NCM and President of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), emphasised the workshop's significance in light of recent extreme weather events globally. He highlighted the urgency for strengthening hydrological monitoring and implementing advanced flood early warning systems such as the WMO Hydrological Observing System (WHOS) and the Flash Flood Guidance System with Global Coverage (FFGS).

"By bringing together top experts from NCM and WMO, the workshop highlighted the importance of sharing knowledge and fostering collaboration between National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs) and WMO to bolster our collective ability to mitigate the impacts of floods," Dr. Al Mandous stated.

Dr. Mohamed Alebri, Director of the Meteorology Department at NCM, underscored the importance of enhancing hydrological monitoring to contribute to disaster risk reduction efforts. One of the highlights was a case study presented by Esra Alnaqbi, Meteorologist at NCM's Department of Meteorology, which shed light on exceptional historical climate events over the UAE.

Additionally, Dr. Falah Noori, Training Specialist at NCM Training Centre, offered valuable perspectives on the meteorological and synoptic conditions that lead to severe mesoscale convective systems over the UAE. Alyaa Al Hantoobi from the Numerical Forecasting Section at NCM presented on the WRF-Hydrologic Forecasting System, showcasing innovative approaches to flood prediction.

The session also drew participation from experts representing various entities. Ahmed Alhammadi from the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure and Murat Elge from Polytechnic engaged in discussions on key factors affecting the accuracy of flood forecasting, enriching the dialogue on effective flood management strategies.

Global Context

The workshop comes in the wake of significant storms and floods globally. Last month, WMO released its State of the Climate in Asia 2023 report, revealing Asia as the most disaster-prone region globally in 2023. Floods and storms accounted for significant casualties and economic losses, highlighting the region's susceptibility to natural disasters.

This event served as a platform for sharing knowledge and expertise in hydrological monitoring and data. The collaborative efforts between NCM, WMO, NMHSs, and other stakeholders aim to enhance flood preparedness and mitigation strategies worldwide.

With inputs from WAM