LMS marks World Meteorological Day

MOHAPI NKHAHLE

MASERU – The Lesotho Meteorological Services (LMS) on Wednesday this week marked the World Meteorological Day at Pitseng High School in Leribe. World Meteorological Day, was this year commemorated on March 23 under the theme ‘Early Warning and Early Action’ and spotlights the importance of hydrometeorological and climate information for disaster risk reduction. The day is celebrated to commemorate the birth of the World Metereological Organisation on March 23, 1950.

Delivering the official speech on behalf of the LMS’s Managing Director, Charles Tšeole said the goal this year is to reduce the country’s vulnerability to climate impacts in particular on agriculture, rangeland and water management systems and targeted communities.

“Most disasters in our country are happening due to climate conditions, so it’s very important to introduce early warning and early actions mechanisms,” Tšeole said. He also said the LMS intended to strengthen the climate monitoring capabilities, early warning systems and human resources in Lesotho in order to efficiently address climate impacts and better plan adaption to climate change in the urban and rural areas of Lesotho.

World Meteorological Day is an annual event commemorating the coming into force on March 23, 1950, of the Convention establishing the WMO. It showcases the essential contribution of national meteorological and hydrological services to the safety and well-being of society. Weather, climate and water extremes are becoming more frequent and intense due to climate change. More people are exposed than ever before to multiple hazards.

Forecasts of what the weather will be are no longer enough. Impact-based forecasts on what the weather will do and what people should do are vital to saving lives and livelihoods.  Yet, according to a WMO report, one in three people are still not adequately covered by early warning systems. And, all too often, the warnings do not reach those who need them most.