Govt vows to strengthen TMA

DODOMA: THE government has vowed to continue empowering the Tanzania Meteorological Agency (TMA) by ensuring it has modern and state-of-the-art equipment to provide precise weather forecasting information.

Speaking in Dodoma yesterday during the commemoration of the World Meteorological Day 2024, Minister for Transport Prof Makame Mbarawa said the move will help the country to promote economic growth and implement its development plans effectively.

The minister said that since weather has continued to affect the implementation of various development activities in different sectors of the country, including economic and social sectors the government has continued to institute strong measures to address the effects of weather changes and climate change.

“The government will continue to empower TMA to ensure that it has modern equipment so that its weather forecast information is by 100 per cent accurate. I believe that if we can achieve this, we will progress well and our economy will grow significantly as we plan and expect,” said Prof Mbarawa.

In order to improve weather services and early warnings for severe weather events in the country, Professor Mbarawa said that the government has made significant investment in weather infrastructure.

According to the minister, this includes the purchase and installation of modern equipment for gathering and processing weather data, as well as a large, modern computer with a high capacity for processing weather data… this computer enables TMA to improve and increase the accuracy of weather forecasting, especially for small areas.

This service has already started to be provided at the district level for seasonal rainfall forecasting. Professor Mbarawa also said that the government is in the final stages of constructing a network of seven weather radars, saying during the three years of sixth Phase Government, the target of purchasing four radars has been achieved.

He said that two of the radars are being installed in Mbeya and Kigoma regions, and the manufacturing of two other radars to be installed in Kilimanjaro and Dodoma regions is underway in the US.

“The new radars will improve weather forecasting and early warning systems in Tanzania. This will help to protect people and property from the impacts of severe weather events,” he said.

Prof Mbarawa also said that three other radars have been completed and installed in Dar es Salaam, Mwanza and Mtwara regions. This makes Tanzania the first country in the East African region to have the largest number of weather radars.

The minister further said that the government recognises the major challenge posed by frequent lightning accidents and has purchased five sets of lightning detection equipment to be used to improve early warning systems for lightning strikes.

On his part, TMA’s Acting Director General, Dr Ladislaus Chang’a, said that the commemorations of the World Meteorological Day showcase the contribution and importance of international institutions in providing weather services for the safety and well-being of societies.

“Tanzania, being one of the 193 countries of the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), joins the international community in commemorating World Meteorological Day and demonstrating its commitment to being at the forefront of addressing the impacts of climate change and climate variability,” said Dr Chang’a.

Every March 23, the World Meteorological Organisation commemorates the coming into force of the Convention establishing the World Meteorological Organisation on 23 March 1950.

It showcases the essential contribution of National Meteorological and Hydrological Services to the safety and wellbeing of society and is celebrated with activities around the world.