Geneva-based WMO says new weather bulletins to help Haitian public but also NGOs

More warnings in the future with new Met system for Haiti should help alert NGOs (photo: Marco Dormino, UNDP)

Geneva, Switzerland (GenevaLunch.com) – Haiti’s weather service was badly damaged by the hurricane that tore through the country 12 January, but the hobbled National Meteorological Centre of Haiti has been able to use the disaster to rebuild a stronger service in close cooperation with other national weather services. The new NMC of Haiti web site is in place in time for the hurricane system, June to December, and will serve as a critical source of information for the population but also NGO’s (non-governmental organizations).

Haiti’s ability to produce and disseminate weather information and warnings has been re-established with the support of a coalition of World Meteorological Organization members, says the Geneva-based organization. They include Canada, Cuba, Dominican Republic, France, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Haiti is particularly prone to natural disasters that requires international assistance, according to the WMO.

Over 90 percent of disasters in the country are linked to or aggravated by frequently occurring meteorological, hydrological and climate-related hazards: tropical cyclones and related storm surges, rivers and flash floods, drought, thunderstorms or lightning, landslides or mudslides, which have been further exacerbated by massive deforestation and environmental changes. Haiti annually experiences two rainy seasons, from April to June and from October to November, as well as a hurricane season from early June until the end of November. It suffered significant losses in 2008 from four major hurricanes, Fay, Gustav, Hanna, and Ike. In 2004 tropical storm Jeanne’s heavy rains caused massive flooding and landslides; 1998 experienced Hurricane George; 1994, Hurricane Gordon and 1963, Hurricane Flora.

The typhoon called Ramil locally, and Lupit internationally, is gathering strength as it steadily makes its way westward across the Pacific Ocean with winds of 175km and gusts up to 210km. It is expected to make landfall on Wednesday 21 or early Thursday 22 October on the northern tip of the Philippines’ main island, Luzon, mostly sparing the capital Manila. The military is moving relief goods and trucks, speedboats and soldiers north in anticipation of rescue missions.

The Philippines is still recovering from the last two typhoons with survivors in the north still living in tents being urged not to return to their homes. Philippine weather service chief, Prisco Nilo, told a press conference in Manila 18 October that people should be evacuated “now that there is still time” [and not] “in the middle of a typhoon”. AP, Philippine Inquirer