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Namibia: Early Weather Warnings Critical
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New Era (Windhoek)
28 March 2008
Posted to the web 28 March 2008
Staff Reporter
Windhoek
The provision of appropriate products and services could mitigate the impact of weather, climate and water on those affected, the acting Permanent Secretary at the Ministry Works, Transport and Communications, Elia Akwaake, has said.
He was speaking on behalf of Minister Joel Kaapanda on Wednesday at the commemoration of World Meteorological Day that was celebrated in Windhoek on March 26. Akwaake said although natural hazards could not be prevented, suitable early warnings could be used to minimise their harmful impacts.
"In addition, the provision of weather, climate and water related information is increasingly needed to support social economic activities such as agriculture, transport, energy, construction, health, environment and water resources management," he said. The acting secretary said due to the importance of meteorological information, the Government has included the strengthening of the meteorological services in the national development plans.
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Although the level of the Namibia Meteorological Service (NMS) is still below optimum and required an injection of resources, Akwaake said the service represents significant and steady steps forward. The NMS is in the process of increasing the number of meteorological stations to include all parts of the country that were neglected.
Recently, three stations were established in Katima Mulilo, Ondangwa and Eros Airport, while 25 Automatic Weather Stations have been installed in different parts of the country. The convention that created the World Meteorological Organisation came into force on March 23, 1950, while the World Meteorological Organisation was designated in 1951 as a specialised agency of the United Nations to coordinate weather, climate and water related matters. The theme for this year's commemoration was "Observing our planet for a better future". Akwaake said the theme came in the wake of a deserving recognition of the scientific and social economic benefits of meteorology to current and future generations.
"All of us as members of the human race, in our diversity and likeness live together on this one planet - Earth. It is therefore important that we collectively continue to seek understanding and sustainably exploit the earth's natural resources," he added.
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