Climate Change Resilience
By Vuniwaqa Bari-Bola of the Fiji Times
23 July, 2015, Nuku’alofa, Tonga, PMC-3 - The shortage of qualified hydrologists is a concern for Fiji and the Pacific.
This was revealed after Fiji Meteorological Services Director Mr. Ravind Kumar tabled his presentation on the National Flood Early Warning Systems.
Mr Kumar said the limited number of qualified hydrologists has led to the Fiji Meteorology Office not able to employ a competent Chief Hydrologist and Senior Technical Officer.
This has also led to Fiji Met seeking assistance for capacity building, institutional strengthening, and personnel development.
In his report Mr Kumar highlighted that apart from the minimal number of hydrologists, there were other areas that needed to be looked at.
Mr. Ravin Kumar, Director of the Fiji Meteorological Service
This he said included, “their inability to manage data well due to the transfer of the department from the Water Authority of Fiji to the Fiji Met; upskilling of current staff; lack of research and modelling in the area of hydrology; investment into latest technology and building a flood resilient network through expansion of flood monitoring network in all catchments, large rivers and tributaries.”
For this Mr Kumar has recommended to the Pacific Meteorology Council to provide guidance on how to improve and enhance hydrological services at national level; provide support, guidance and advice in the implementation and strengthening flood early warning systems at the national level; provide opportunities for capacity building and institutional strengthening, especially personnel development; strengthen scientific research and modelling capability for advancing new hydrological products and services and provide guidance, support and advice on the software and hardware solutions development in support of rapidly advancing technology. - #PacMC2015
Ms. Vuniwaqa Bari-Bola is a reporter for the Fiji Times - www.fijitimes.com.fj
This article was developed by a Pacific Media Team of Reporters currently providing coverage on the Third Pacific Meteorological Council in Tonga. This activity coordinated by SPREP is supported by a partnership including the Government of Tonga, SPREP, Finland Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Finnish Meteorological Institute (FMI), World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the Pacific Media Assistance Scheme (PACMAS).
This article was developed by a Pacific Media Team of Reporters currently providing coverage on the Third Pacific Meteorological Council in Tonga. This activity coordinated by SPREP is supported by a partnership including the Government of Tonga, SPREP, Finland Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Finnish Meteorological Institute (FMI), World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the Pacific Media Assistance Scheme (PACMAS).