Govt to install new weather radars

THE government plans to install two new weather radars in the Dodoma and Kilimanjaro regions, increasing the total number of radars across the country to seven

MWANZA: THE government plans to install two new weather radars in the Dodoma and Kilimanjaro regions, increasing the total number of radars across the country to seven.

This initiative aims to strengthen efforts to address climate change impacts.

Currently, weather radars are operational in Dar es Salaam, Mwanza, Mtwara, Mbeya and Kigoma.

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Minister for Transport Professor Makame Mbarawa revealed the government’s plans to install new weather radars during the “WMO Training Course on Radar Meteorology,” which began earlier this week.

Organised by the Tanzania Meteorological Authority (TMA) and the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), the training is designed to enhance the skills of meteorologists and forecasters in utilising radar data for weather forecasting.

Professor Mbarawa emphasised the critical role of weather and climate in Africa’s economy, particularly in sectors such as agriculture, livestock, fishing, tourism, energy and transport.

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He noted that recent disasters, including extreme weather events, have led to significant loss of life and property, making effective weather observation and early warning systems crucial for protecting these vital sectors and mitigating risks.

“For example, at Lake Victoria, 3,000 to 5,000 deaths occur annually due to navigation accidents caused by extreme weather,” Prof Mbarawa said.

He highlighted the need for improved early warning services in this area as a key reason for the training’s location.

Dr Eunjin Choi from the WMO Education and Training Department stressed the importance of weather radar systems in modern meteorology, explaining that these advanced tools provide realtime data essential for accurate weather forecasting and understanding atmospheric conditions.

The training workshop provides a valuable opportunity for enhancing technical skills and knowledge exchange among meteorologists.

TMA Acting Director General Dr Ladislaus Chang’a commended the government’s commitment to investing in meteorological infrastructure, as outlined in Section 59J of the ruling party CCM’s Election Manifesto.