Chronicle Editor
Tafadzwa Chibukwa, Chronicle Reporter
ENVIRONMENT, Climate, Tourism, and Hospitality Industry Minister, Mangaliso Ndlovu has said the provision of timely, adequate, predictable, accurate, and accessible weather-related information is critical in terms of promoting the safety and well-being of society.
He made the remarks during the commemorations of the World Meteorological Day held at Goetz Observatory in Bulawayo last Friday.
Zimbabwe joined the rest of the world in celebrating World Meteorological This year’s theme is “The future of weather, climate and water across generations.”
The day, which takes place every year on 23 March, and commemorates the coming into force on 23 March 1950 of the Convention establishing the World Meteorological Organisation.
It showcases the essential contribution of the National Meteorological and Hydrological Services to the safety and well-being of society and is celebrated with activities around the world. The themes chosen for World Meteorological Day (WMO) reflect topical weather, climate, or water-related issues.
This year’s theme is “The future of weather, climate and water across generations.”
This year marks the 150th anniversary of the International Meteorological Organisation—the forerunner to the WMO as well as the 60th anniversary of the World Weather Watch.
Minister Ndlovu said as Zimbabwe seeks to become an empowered upper-middle-income economy by 2030, the role of scientific information such as weather and seismic data is important.
“As we move towards attaining an upper middle-income economy by 2030, there is a need for technological advancements to be adopted and fully equipped. The increase in construction, air travel, and research places a demand for quality scientific weather and seismic information,” he said.
“Furthermore, meteorological services are an important contributor to national food security through the provision of agro-meteorological advisory services and the conducting of national cloud-seeding operations among other activities.”
Minister Ndlovu said with the growth and change in technology and environments, the Meteorological Services Department (MSD) should also evolve and be relevant in the current volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous global environment.
“There is a robust need for impact-based forecasts that inform the public of what the weather will do in order to save livelihoods,” he said.
Minister Ndlovu said MSD and the Civil Protection Unit should work together to provide accessible and useful early warning systems, particularly in hot spot areas of the country.
Speaking during the same event, MSD director, Mrs Rebecca Manzou said the future of her department is in safe hands after having been capacitated with new equipment by Government.
“We are grateful to the Second Republic for making strides towards the capacitation of the MSD, which means that we will be able to operate fully, and at the same time ensure the safety of the future of our department because we have the right tools to use,” she said.
She said at the moment, MSD has 47 synoptic stations that are operational. Of these stations, 12 provide data to the Global Telecommunication System (GTS), nine are aviation stations, and one is an upper air station.
Historically, the earliest records of meteorological values in Zimbabwe were those of rainfall taken at Hope Fountain Mission near Bulawayo dating back to 1878.
Daily rainfall and synoptic reports then started in 1922, but regular forecasts later started in 1924. These reports were sent to the press and telegraphed to all post offices.
Scheduled aviation services commenced in January 1932 resulting in the opening of new meteorological offices near aerodromes at Bulawayo and Harare.–@Sagepapie14
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