Meteorology Sector
Priority meteorological projects include:
1. Enhancing safety of navigation and efficient exploitation of natural resources on the lake and its basin by strengthening of meteorological services over Lake Victoria
Currently, there are only six synoptic stations along the shores of the lake at Bukoba, Musoma, Mwanza, Jinja, Entebbe and Kisumu. There is not a single observing station over the vast waters of the Lake. Environmental issues such as pollution need to be given due attention to ensure sustainable utilisation of the lake resources, hence the necessity to deploy monitoring equipment for pollution.
The project is expected to enhance weather observation and dissemination networks and weather forecasting capabilities over the Lake as well as develop human capacity for meteorological services over Lake Victoria.
2. Enhancing disaster prevention and management capacities for sustainable development by strengthening meteorological early warning systems in the EAC region
The EAC region is affected by a range of weather- and climate-related hazards that often translate into natural disasters - principally arising from drought, severe storms, tropical cyclones, floods and the recent Tsunami. These and other weather- and climate-related disasters account for over 80% of the natural disasters affecting the region.
The National Meteorological Services (NMS) in each Partner State have the responsibility of providing early warning information for the protection of property and safety of life. However, the current infrastructural capacities of the NMS in providing early warning information for disaster risk reduction is inadequate.
The project aims to strengthen linkages between National Meteorological Services and Disaster Management Departments, Early Warning Units and other key sectors impacted by climate variability as well as expand climate observing stations and strengthen monitoring and prediction of droughts and floods.
3. Enhancing capacities of the meteorological services in support of sustainable development in the EAC region
Due to the inadequacy of the current data processing and forecasting facilities in the Partner States, this project aims at developing strategies that will ensure the establishment and improvement of data processing and forecasting systems.