Latest news with #EarlyWarningsforAll
Gulf Today
02-08-2025
- Climate
- Gulf Today
Earthquakes, tsunamis pose growing threat to human safety and global economies: WMO
Dr Abdullah Ahmed Al Mandous, President of the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), stressed that earthquakes and tsunamis remain among the deadliest natural disasters, warning that their growing impact poses a serious threat to both human life and economic stability. He called for enhanced international and national efforts to improve monitoring and early warning systems. Dr Al Mandous highlighted major seismic disasters witnessed in past decades, including the 1960 Chile earthquake, the 2004 Sumatra earthquake and tsunami that claimed over 200,000 lives, and the 2011 Fukushima disaster, which triggered nuclear consequences due to the tsunami. He noted that over the past 50 years, more than 140 earthquakes exceeding magnitude 8 have occurred, the majority of which generated tsunamis-resulting in over 250,000 deaths and more than US$100 billion in economic losses. He also pointed to the recent 8.8-magnitude earthquake off Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula, which triggered tsunamis several meters high. Early warning systems activated across various countries played a vital role in minimising the impact. This video grab from a handout footage released by Russia's Emergencies Ministry, shows emergency service specialists inspecting a damaged building following an earthquake. AFP Dr Al Mandous stated, "An alert cannot save lives if it doesn't arrive in time, or if there's no effective response on the ground.' He emphasised that early warning systems rely on international networks of seismic monitoring stations and ocean buoys that detect pressure changes deep beneath the sea. However, the effectiveness of such systems depends on fast data analysis, robust infrastructure, and community-level preparedness. In this context, Dr Al Mandous noted that the WMO places the "Early Warnings for All' initiative at the core of its mission. Launched by the United Nations, the initiative aims to ensure that everyone on the planet is protected by early warning systems by 2027. He said, "We are working closely with governments and global partners to make sure no region faces disaster without advance notice. Early warnings are a human right-not a luxury.' The United Arab Emirates is recognised as a regional leader in forecasting and early warning efforts, hosting several advanced research centers and initiatives that strengthen resilience across both regional and global communities. As part of its global mandate, the WMO also leads partnerships with UN agencies and research bodies to accelerate the deployment of early warning systems in island nations and developing countries-many of which are most vulnerable to earthquakes and tsunamis. Dr. Al Mandous concluded with a strong call to action, stating, "We need collective commitment. Governments must fast-track investment in resilient infrastructure, improve legislation, and expand data-sharing cooperation. We urge institutions to support research and technology, and individuals to learn safety procedures and raise awareness in their communities. Every second between an earthquake and a warning builds resilience-or loses it. Every step we take today means a better chance of survival tomorrow.' WAM
Scoop
01-07-2025
- Climate
- Scoop
Northern Hemisphere Heatwave Underscores Value Of Early-Warning Alerts
1 July 2025 Three days after Spain's national weather service confirmed a record 46°C reading in the southern town of El Granado, there's been little let-up in stifling day and night temperatures across the continent and beyond. In Barcelona, a road sweeper reportedly died on Saturday after completing her shift, prompting an investigation and widespread public appeals to keep out of the sun wherever possible. 'Everybody is at risk,' insisted Clare Nullis, spokesperson for the World Meteorological Organization (WMO): 'If you go out without water in the middle of the day, to do jogging, have a bike ride, you will probably have health problems or even die.' Fossil fuel factor If part of the reason for Europe's heat misery is because it is in the grip of a strong high-pressure weather front trapping hot air from northern Africa, Ms. Nullis noted that 'human-induced climate change' is the source of these acute weather events. Another part of the climate puzzle is that sea surface temperatures in the Mediterranean are exceptionally high for this time of year. 'It's the equivalent of a land heatwave', the WMO spokesperson said. 'Extreme heat creeps up on you,' she added, while dangerously warm conditions are becoming 'more frequent, more intense' because of global warming caused by burning fossil fuels. ' It's something we have to learn to live with,' Ms. Nullis maintained, highlighting the importance of early warnings from national meteorological and hydrological services to prevent more deaths from extreme heat events – which are often 'under-reflected' in official statistics. Hot days – and nights According to the UN agency, night-time minimum temperatures and daytime maximum temperatures broke monthly station records for June in parts of Western and Southwestern Europe, partly explaining why the heatwave is so draining. ' The frequency and intensity of extreme heat events is increasing in Europe and by 2050 about half the European population may be exposed to high or very high risk of heat stress during summer,' Ms. Nullis explained. 'What is exceptional - and I would stress exceptional but not unprecedented - is the time of year. We are 1 July, and we are seeing episodes of extreme heat which normally we would see later on.' WMO insisted that warnings from national weather services and coordinated heat-health action plans are increasingly important to protect public safety and wellbeing. The UN agency is promoting these efforts through its Early Warnings for All platform. A key component is the WMO Coordination Mechanism (WCM) which supports crisis-prone and conflict-affected regions with advice. WMO curates authoritative weather, climate and water information from countries such as its WCM Global Hydromet Weekly Scan.
See - Sada Elbalad
13-05-2025
- Climate
- See - Sada Elbalad
Extreme Weather, Climate Change Impacts Hit Africa Hard
Ahmed Emam Extreme weather and climate change impacts are hitting every single aspect of socio-economic development in Africa and exacerbating hunger, insecurity and displacement, according to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) State of the Climate in Africa 2024 report. The year 2024 was the warmest or second-warmest year, depending on the dataset, and the past decade has been the warmest on record. Sea-surface temperatures around the continent were at record levels, with particularly rapid warming in the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. Marine heatwaves impacted the biggest area since measurements started in 1993, it says. 'The State of the Climate in Africa report reflects the urgent and escalating realities of climate change across the continent,' said WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo. 'It also reveals a stark pattern of extreme weather events, with some countries grappling with exceptional flooding caused by excessive rainfall and others enduring persistent droughts and water scarcity.' 'WMO and its partners are committed to working with Members to build resilience and strengthen adaptation efforts in Africa through initiatives like Early Warnings for All,' said Celeste Saulo. 'It is my hope that this report will inspire collective action to address increasingly complex challenges and cascading impacts.' The report highlights the challenges for agriculture and the environment; food, water and energy security; and health and education. But it also stresses opportunities and new tools to meet the challenges. Artificial intelligence, mobile communication tools, and advanced weather prediction models are enhancing the accuracy and reach of weather services across Africa. However, further scaling up digital transformation requires greater investment in infrastructure, stronger data-sharing frameworks and more inclusive service delivery, it says. A greater sense of urgency is needed to improve early warning systems, and strengthen climate resilience and adaptation, according to the report, which urges governments, development partners, and the private sector to accelerate climate-smart investment. The WMO State of the Climate in Africa 2024 report is accompanied by a digital story map and is one of a series of WMO climate reports which seek to inform decision-making for national and regional climate strategies. read more Gold prices rise, 21 Karat at EGP 3685 NATO's Role in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict US Expresses 'Strong Opposition' to New Turkish Military Operation in Syria Shoukry Meets Director-General of FAO Lavrov: confrontation bet. nuclear powers must be avoided News Iran Summons French Ambassador over Foreign Minister Remarks News Aboul Gheit Condemns Israeli Escalation in West Bank News Greek PM: Athens Plays Key Role in Improving Energy Security in Region News One Person Injured in Explosion at Ukrainian Embassy in Madrid News Egypt confirms denial of airspace access to US B-52 bombers Lifestyle Pistachio and Raspberry Cheesecake Domes Recipe News Ayat Khaddoura's Final Video Captures Bombardment of Beit Lahia News Australia Fines Telegram $600,000 Over Terrorism, Child Abuse Content Arts & Culture Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban's $4.7M LA Home Burglarized Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer Sports Neymar Announced for Brazil's Preliminary List for 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers News Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly Inaugurates Two Indian Companies Arts & Culture New Archaeological Discovery from 26th Dynasty Uncovered in Karnak Temple Business Fear & Greed Index Plummets to Lowest Level Ever Recorded amid Global Trade War
Express Tribune
24-03-2025
- Climate
- Express Tribune
Over $4.3 trillion lost to climate hazards in five decades: WMO
Listen to article Climate, weather, and water-related hazards have killed more than 2 million people and caused an estimated US$4.3 trillion in economic losses between 1970 and 2021, according to a new report released by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). The figures were published in observance of World Meteorological Day, marked each year on March 23, and come amid growing concerns over the impact of worsening climate extremes. This year's theme — Closing the Early Warning Gap Together — highlights the urgent need to expand access to life-saving forecast and alert systems worldwide. 'It is disgraceful that, in a digital age, lives and livelihoods are being lost because people have no access to effective early warning systems,' said UN Secretary-General António Guterres in a message. 'Early warnings are not luxuries. They are necessities and sound investments — providing an almost tenfold return.' Despite scientific advances and improved forecasting technologies, the WMO said there is a major disparity in early warning access, with nearly half of all countries lacking comprehensive systems — especially in low-income and climate-vulnerable nations. While death tolls have declined, thanks to better alerts and preparedness, economic losses continue to climb, the report noted. The damage includes everything from destroyed infrastructure and housing to agricultural collapse, particularly in developing regions with limited adaptation capacity. In 2024, the planet saw record-breaking temperatures, driven by rising greenhouse gas emissions, warming oceans, and a strong El Niño effect. WMO scientists also reported faster sea level rise, accelerating glacier retreat, and increased frequency of extreme weather events, including floods, droughts, wildfires, and tropical cyclones. WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo said the organisation has played a vital role in global disaster risk reduction through data exchange and coordinated forecasting. 'We've saved hundreds of thousands of lives and billions in potential losses over the last 75 years,' she said. 'But many still remain outside the safety net.' The WMO and UN are now halfway through their Early Warnings for All initiative — launched to ensure that every person on the planet is protected by a warning system by 2027. So far, 108 countries report having some form of multi-hazard early warning system, up from 52 in 2015. Still, the agency says more work is needed. 'We need high-level political support, stronger collaboration between governments and communities, a boost in technology transfer, and a significant scale-up in finance,' Guterres said. 'Increasing the lending capacity of Multilateral Development Banks is key.' The WMO also stressed the transformative role that artificial intelligence and advanced climate modelling can play — provided these technologies are shared equitably across regions. 'Staff at National Meteorological and Hydrological Services are like frontline health workers,' said Saulo. 'They work 24/7 to safeguard public well-being. The WMO helps make the world safer, more secure, and more prosperous.' World Meteorological Day commemorates the establishment of the WMO as a United Nations specialised agency in 1950. This year marked the agency's 75th anniversary.
Muscat Daily
23-03-2025
- Climate
- Muscat Daily
Oman marks World Meteorological Day
Muscat – Oman joined the global community in observing World Meteorological Day on March 23, commemorating the establishment of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) in 1950. This year's theme, 'Closing the Early Warning Gap Together', highlights the need to strengthen early warning systems to mitigate the impact of tropical cyclones, severe storms, and floods. The WMO recently confirmed that 2024 was the hottest year on record, underscoring the urgency of climate resilience as extreme weather events become more frequent. WMO Secretary-General Professor Celeste Saulo emphasised the organisation's role in global weather forecasting. 'Over the past 75 years, we have contributed billions of dollars to the global economy, prevented billions more in economic losses from weather, climate, and water-related risks and saved hundreds of thousands of lives,' she said. United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has called for accelerating the 'Early Warnings for All' initiative, which aims to ensure that every community worldwide is covered by an early warning system by 2027. The next phase will focus on expanding coverage beyond the initial 30 countries to include more vulnerable nations, while strengthening partnerships with donors, development banks, and climate funds. Oman has been an active member of the WMO since 1975, working closely with the organisation and regional centres to enhance its forecasting and monitoring capabilities. The country established the National Multi-Hazard Early Warning Centre in 2004. As the first of its kind in the region, the centre provides real-time alerts for natural hazards, including tsunamis, tropical cyclones, and flash floods. With 80 integrated meteorological stations across the country, supported by marine and weather radar systems, satellite data, and advanced forecasting models, Oman ensures timely and accurate warnings. Alerts are disseminated through multiple channels, including traditional media, social media platforms, and mobile apps. The centre also plays a key role in supporting government agencies, emergency responders, and the private sector with critical weather updates. During Cyclone Shaheen, Oman's early warning systems proved effective, with timely alerts and continuous updates helping to minimise human and material losses.
