UAE plans weather warnings

Abu Dhabi: Residents could soon receive text message alerts on bad weather conditions from the National Centre of Meteorology and Seismology (NCMS).

An official at the centre, a division of the Ministry of Presidential Affairs, said SMSs could be used as a tool to send weather alerts.
However, this decision has not been finalised yet and various options are still being considered, said the source.
"Authorities are still deciding what would be the best way to send notifications out to the public. It could be by SMS or by some other means," he said.
A network of 56 surface weather stations of the NCMS all over the country monitors changing weather patterns every 15 minutes, 24 hours a day, to give an accurate picture of the weather.
Speaking on World Meteorological Day, Abdullah Ahmad Al Mandoos, Executive Director of the NCMS, said the centre uses the latest technology to enable surface and marine monitoring, as well as to monitor the upper layers of the atmosphere.
Infrastructure plays an important role in monitoring weather patterns, he noted, while pointing out the NCMS's extensive network of monitoring stations.
"One of the objectives of the NCMS is to issue weather forecasts and early warnings, to help people avoid any risks that might be associated with extraordinary weather phenomena such as cyclones, severe windstorms, heavy rain, fog or dust storms."
The aim of the NCMS's warnings is to reduce the negative impact of these weather phenomena.
Al Mandoos said weather information is provided to all sectors of society. The centre would like to promote advanced studies of the atmosphere in the region and worldwide.
These studies could include weather enhancement such as cloud seeding operations.
The NCMS would also like to play its part in countering global warming. Prizes for the best studies in these fields will be awarded, he said.
In addition, the NCMS exchanges information with other countries in the region, as well as internationally, in accordance with the regulations and obligations established by the WMO.
Al Mandoos said the strategy of his department is fully in line with global and international practices in observing the weather.
A better future: Natural disasters
Each year, on March 23, the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), its 188 members and the worldwide meteorological community celebrate World Meteorological Day.
The WMO is a specialised agency of the United Nations. The theme for this year is "Observing our planet for a better future".
"In the context of reducing the risk of natural disaster, the weather, climate and water can impact almost every facet of life. These impacts are increasing and they are especially critical for developing economies. Nine out of ten natural disasters are linked to hydro-meteorological hazards, which, between the years 1980 and 2000, caused the death of 1.2 million people and their aftermath cost more than $900 billion," reads a brochure issued by the WMO to mark the day.
It also notes that although natural hazards cannot be prevented, suitable early warnings can be used to minimise considerably their harmful effects.

Source Gulf News