Climate information centres to mitigate loss of life, property in future disasters

Experts have tipped people in disaster-prone districts to make use of climate information centres that have been established in their areas for the country to mitigate loss of life and property in future disasters.

Senior meteorologist in the Department of Climate Change and Meteorological Services, Lovemore Kaisi, said they have established the centres in seven selected districts, including Nsanje and Chikwawa, to facilitate the flow of weather and climate information.

Other districts with climate information centres are Mulanje, Zomba, Salima, Kasungu and Karonga.

Kaisi said in an interview recently that the information to be disseminated will be used as a tool for early warning purposes to communities in the selected districts.

“The communities have not been accessing such information timely, which contributes to our failure to reduce loss of life and property in case of weather-related disasters,” he explained.

He said the centres have facilities such as computers meant for weather data communication from Department of Climate Change and Meteorological Services headquarters.

“The centres also provide the information to communities through community radio stations. You will also find pamphlets, booklets, posters and brochures on weather and climate-related information,” said Kaisi.

Mbenje Area Civil Protection Committee secretary Isaac Falakeza hailed the establishment of climate information centres, saying the communities will greatly benefit from them.

This is a pilot programme being implemented by the Department of Climate Change and Meteorological Services with funding from the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). n