Maldives to establish 'Impact Based Weather Forecast

The Minister of Environment Thoriq Ibrahim said on Thursday, that the Maldives has planned on establishing "Impact Based Weather Forecast" to identify crisis events ahead of time.

At the press conference held by the Environment Ministry on Thursday to give details about the authority's ongoing initiatives, the minister said that the forecast reports of the Maldives Meteorological Center (MET Office) is only regular weather forecasts.

He added that Maldives needs an impact-based weather forecast to understand the impact from worsening weather conditions.

"For instance, if there is a trough of clouds, the system can assess what kind of impacts it would have, whether it would cause flooding or sea swells, and what islands or which areas are the most vulnerable of being impacted. We are working towards this end," the minister said.

He added the government aims to establish this system in the next one and half years.

While speaking on the system, the minister further highlighted the prevailing issue of soil erosion. He said different islands experience the natural predicament at varying levels.

The minister said the authorities are working on preparing hazard maps for all local islands, with 102 such charts already completed.

The charts will provide details of the areas where the islands experience erosion, sea swells, and other such issues. Minister Thoriq said the charts will help in shore protection efforts.

 "Physical works of the project will be carried out by the Ministry of Construction and Infrastructure. But we will instruct about the high-level designs, studies including scientific studies," the minister added.

Thoriq said satellite and aerial imagery would be used to draw up the charts.