Bangkok, Thailand — The Regional Integrated Multi-Hazard Early Warning System (RIMES) brought together National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs), sector partners, and regional and international organizations from across South Asia for the 3rd Regional Impact-Based Forecasting Workshop, held from 29 September to 1 October 2026 in Bangkok, Thailand.

The three-day Regional Heat Season Review and Cold Season Planning Workshop reviewed progress under the South Asia Hydromet Forum (SAHF) Impact-Based Forecasting (IBF) Project since  2025. Participants shared lessons from the first round of national heat-season demonstrations and used these experiences to inform planning for the next season.

Through the project, RIMES supports South Asian NMHSs in developing impact-based, user-oriented early warning services. These services connect information on temperature forecasts with potential impacts on people, livelihoods and sectors, helping users make informed decisions and take early action to reduce risks.

From regional planning to country implementation

Since 2025, RIMES has supported participating countries in moving IBF from regional planning and capacity development to national demonstrations.

The first regional workshop, held in Bangkok in November 2025, focused on assessing available data, mapping institutional roles, sharing existing practices, and preparing preliminary demonstration plans. The second workshop, held in February 2026, strengthened forecaster and focal-point capacity and helped countries finalize their national demonstration plans. Together, these workshops established a common regional approach that countries adapt to their national needs. Reflecting on this progress, RIMES Director General, Mr. A.R. Subbiah emphasized the need to build on national demonstrations experience and integrate pilot initiatives into government programmes to ensure sustained services and continued support for affected communities.

“We are now at the pilot stage, but the challenge is to ensure that the pilot does not remain a pilot. It needs to become an integral part of government programmes so that continuous and sustained support can be provided to affected communities,” he said.

Building on the two regional workshops, participating NMHSs carried out their first heat-season IBF demonstrations from approximately March to August 2026. They tested impact-based thresholds, advisories and communication pathways for heat-related risks, strengthened engagement with health, agriculture and livestock sectors, and began using the INSTANT South Asia forecasting portal to access and visualize temperature guidance.

The third regional workshop brought countries together to review this experience, assess progress since 2025 and identify successful approaches, remaining gaps and priorities for further improvement.

Countries share progress and lessons from the heat season

A “Then and Now” review enable countries to reflect on change in their IBF capabilities and approaches between 2025 and 2026. Country representatives shared achievements, challenges and lessons from their national demonstrations.

Discussions focused on four areas: thresholds, data, impact analysis and locally relevant products; user engagement and demand-driven services; inclusive and last-mile communication for early action; and institutional arrangement for sustaining IBF services.

Country experiences highlighted the importance of connecting forecasting improvements with user needs and preparedness actions. Pakistan reported progress in localizing impact-based information for vulnerable mountain communities. Myanmar highlighted stronger collaboration with user sectors and links between heat guidance and preparedness actions in health and education. Bhutan shared advances in systematic heat monitoring, revised thresholds, and improved temperature information for users.  

Maldives advancing reported progress in apparent temperature-based heat information and stronger coordination with health and disaster-management agencies. Sri Lanka highlighted multi-sector collaboration to understand and address heat risks affecting livestock and labour.

These exchanges helped RIMES and participating countries to identify remaining gaps across the IBF value chain and priority for sustaining and scaling up national demonstrations.

From heat-season lessons to next-season planning

RIMES and participating countries used lessons from the first heat-season demonstrations to plan for the next season. Countries where cold-related hazards are significant examined risks from cold waves, frost, dense fog, wind chill and snow, including cold combined with wet or windy conditions. They reviewed existing monitoring forecasts and threshold, existing thresholds, identified populations and sectors at risk, and assessed gaps between available information and user needs.

Through dedicated planning tracks, countries developed drafted plans for cold-season demonstrations or El Niño preparedness and the next heat-season, as applicable. Peer countries and technical experts provided feedback to help refine these plan.

RIMES presented updated on the INSTANT South Asia forecasting portal, including the planned cold-season module, and gather country feedback to guide further development. A practical session with the Bangladesh Department of Livestock Services also the National Livestock Advisory System to illustrate how a sector-specific decision-support tool can be co-produced with users and developed toward operational use.

Building the foundation for sustainable IBF in South Asia

Impact-based forecasting must continue to evolve as countries gain experience, user needs change, and new evidence becomes available. The workshop identified priorities for strengthening national demonstrations and developing them into sustained services.

Further progress will require stronger impact and vulnerability data, validated and locally relevant thresholds, sustained partnerships between NMHSs and user sectors, inclusive last-mile communication and clear SOPs and institutional arrangements. Continued investment in technical and operational capacity will also be essential.

RIMES Director General, Mr. A.R. Subbiah reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to supporting countries: “The South Asia Hydromet Forum is fundamentally country-driven, demand-driven and needs-based. RIMES and the UK Met Office will work to ensure that support responds to the needs, gaps and capacity requirements articulated by countries.”

Continued regional exchange, peer learning, and country-led implementation through SAHF will support the transition from pilots to sustained national services that connect forecasts with impacts, decisions and early action for communities across South Asia.

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About the SAHF IBF Project: Supported by the UK government’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) through the Weather and Climate Information Services (WISER) Asia-Pacific Programme, a part of the Climate Action for a Resilient Asia (CARA) initiative, the SAHF IBF Project aims to drive transformational change in South Asia’s capacity to deliver anticipatory, impact-based forecasting. By strengthening institutional systems and methodologies,  the project helps translate weather information into actionable insights that build true climate resilience.

For more information, visit: https://www.sahf.info/

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The Regional Integrated Multi-Hazard Early Warning System (RIMES), in collaboration with the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), is supporting the establishment of 53 new Agromet FARRM Schools across Rajshahi, Naogaon, Khulna, Satkhira, Cumilla, Feni, Jamalpur, Bandarban, Rangamati and Khagrachari, covering diverse agro-ecological settings including drought-prone, coastal saline, floodplain, char and hill areas.

The initiative is being implemented through the EnRICH project, funded by the UK Government; PROTISTHA and SURAKKHA, both funded by the European Union through EU Civil Protection & Humanitarian Aid Operations (DG ECHO); and HeatShield, funded by the Rockefeller Foundation.

The expansion builds on the successful completion of 52 Agromet FARRM Schools. An assessment found that every USD 1 invested generated more than USD 18 in benefits for farmers, providing strong evidence of the effectiveness and value of the approach.

The programme began with an Orientation Workshop on 16 August 2026 in Dhaka, bringing together 31 DAE officials from the participating districts. Dr. Md. Abdul Muyeed, Senior Agrometeorologist, RIMES, introduced the Agromet FARRM School approach, while experts from the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) and Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC) shared information on weather, climate risks, forecasting and flood forecast products. 

This was followed by a series of three-day residential Training of Trainers (TOT) workshops, with two batches held at Gazipur, and one at Rangamati. Across the three batches, 87 SAAOs completed the training.

The ToT programme brought together expertise from RIMES, DAE, BMD, FFWC, the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), Tuber Crops Research Centre, Gazipur, and Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University. Sessions covered crop sensitivity to weather and climate, extreme event preparedness, Climate-Smart Agriculture, weather forecasting and its application to cropping decisions, pest and disease development, heatwaves and heat-related health impacts, flood forecasting, and the use of BAMIS and agrometeorological advisories.

Participatory exercises formed a key part of the training. SAAOs developed 12-month crop calendars and 24-session fortnightly plans, aligning weather and climate information, early warnings and agricultural advisories with specific crop stages and seasonal risks.

The Director General of DAE, along with Directors from key DAE wings, including Planning and Training, joined the programme. The Additional Director for the Chittagong and Rangamati Regions also joined the Rangamati training, reflecting strong institutional support for climate-informed agricultural extension.

Through the completed TOT programme, RIMES and DAE have strengthened the capacity of SAAOs to support the new Agromet FARRM Schools and help farmers turn weather and climate information into timely, practical decisions.

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From 18 to 21 August 2026, RIMES conducted two complementary capacity-building activities in Melamchi Municipality, Sindhupalchok, Nepal, in collaboration with Melamchi Municipality under the Strengthening Last-Mile Communication (SLMC) Project.  implemented through the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR). The activities strengthened local capacity to access and use early warning information, prepare for disasters, and respond effectively to emergencies.

Strengthening Municipal Use of Early Warning Information through INSTANT

On 18 August, RIMES organized an Orientation and Hands-on Training on the Integrated Forecast Dissemination Portal (INSTANT) at Hotel Melamchi Heritage Inn, Melamchi Municipality.

Developed and customized under the SLMC Project, the INSTANT Portal  is a web-based decision-support platform that integrates weather forecasts, multi-hazard alerts, locally developed risk information, and early-warning mechanisms for municipal disaster risk management.

Approximately 25 to 30 municipal officials and stakeholders participated, gaining practical skills in accessing forecast products, interpreting multi-hazard alerts (rainfall, wind, heatwave, cold wave, lightning, and landslide), reviewing ward-level hazard calendars and risk assessment information, and applying early warning information to preparedness and emergency response scenarios through demonstrations and hands-on exercises. As an important institutionalization measure, the INSTANT Portal has been integrated into the Melamchi Municipality website, enabling direct access through the Municipality’s own digital platform.

Building Practical Disaster Preparedness and Life-Saving Skills in Schools

19 to 21 August, RIMES supported Melamchi Municipality in conducting a three-day School-Based Disaster Risk Reduction and Preparedness Programme.

Schools play an important role in disaster preparedness. Teachers and school representatives are not only responsible for students’ safety during emergencies but can also help disseminate disaster preparedness knowledge and practical skills to households and the wider community.

The program therefore aimed to move beyond general disaster awareness by strengthening the practical preparedness and emergency response capacities of teachers and school representatives from selected schools in Melamchi Municipality.

The training was delivered by certified trainers from the Nepal Red Cross Society (NRCS) and combined theoretical sessions with demonstrations, practical exercises, group work, role play, and emergency simulations.

The program introduced participants to disaster risk management, the disaster management cycle, community- and school-based disaster risk reduction, school emergency preparedness, evacuation arrangements, emergency communication, and basic search-and-rescue principles.

Participants subsequently received extensive practical training on fire safety and the use of fire extinguishers, first aid, patient assessment, bleeding and wound management, bandaging, choking and shock response, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), improvised stretchers, and the appropriate use of first aid materials.

The program further addressed fractures, unconsciousness, mass-casualty management and triage, household and community preparedness, and school safety planning. A final practical simulation provided participants with an opportunity to apply multiple skills in an emergency scenario involving evacuation, first aid, casualty prioritization, communication, and response coordination.

The training encouraged participating schools to identify preparedness measures, clarify roles and responsibilities, assess available resources, and strengthen practical school preparedness and response arrangements. Importantly, the program was designed to create a multiplier effect, enabling trained teachers to share disaster preparedness knowledge and practical skills with students, fellow teachers, families, and communities.

Following completion of the program, participants also registered with Nepal’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) National Volunteer System. This creates an important link between the capacities developed through the training and Nepal’s formal disaster preparedness and volunteer mechanism.

Linking Early Warning Information with Preparedness and Action

Together, the two activities demonstrate the integrated approach promoted through the SLMC Project.

While the INSTANT Portal training strengthened the capacity of local authorities and stakeholders to access, interpret, and use forecast, hazard, and risk information, the School-Based DRR program strengthened the ability of local actors to prepare for emergencies and translate information into practical, life-saving action.

The activities also reinforced connections among the Municipality, schools, communities, technical institutions, and national disaster management mechanisms. Through municipal leadership, integration of the INSTANT Portal into the Municipality’s digital platform, practical capacity building, and linking trained participants to the national volunteer system, the initiative placed particular emphasis on institutional ownership and sustainability.

By combining improved access to early warning information with practical disaster preparedness and response capacities, the activities contribute to the broader SLMC objective of ensuring that warnings reach the last mile, are understood by those who receive them, and ultimately support timely action to protect lives, livelihoods, and communities.

The experience in Melamchi demonstrates how local government leadership, digital decision-support tools, school-based preparedness, and community capacity building can work together to strengthen people-centered multi-hazard early warning systems and build more disaster-resilient communities.

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The Regional Integrated Multi-Hazard Early Warning System (RIMES), through the South Asia Hydromet Forum (SAHF),  formally operationalized its Marine Meteorology Sub-Working Group (MM-SWG) during a virtual inception meeting held on 20 August 2026. 

With support from the CREWS South Asia Programme, in partnership with the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the newly formed Sub-Working Group brings together country representatives from Bangladesh, India, Maldives, Myanmar, and Pakistan, along with regional technical partners, to strengthen marine meteorology and coastal forecasting services across South Asia.

Addressing Regional Vulnerabilities

South Asia’s coastlines are highly exposed to hydrometeorological hazards, including tropical cyclones, storm surges, high waves, and coastal inundation. These hazards pose significant risks to coastal communities, fisheries, maritime transport, ports, offshore installations, and local livelihoods.

During the roundtable discussion, member countries highlighted diverse operational capacities alongside shared challenges in marine observations, data assimilation, and localized forecasting. 

Bangladesh emphasized the need for standardized marine products, expanded observational data, and modeling tools to address non-cyclonic tidal inundation. India shared ongoing developments in port and storm surge warnings and proposed expanding sensors  across 50 coastal tide gauges to enhance wind and wave data assimilation. The Maldives highlighted the vulnerabilities of low-lying atollsand prioritized downscaled in-house wave modeling, customized Decision Support Systems, and satellite data utilization.  Myanmar and Pakistan emphasized the need to address data gaps through coastal observatories, ship-based validation, high-resolution wind and surge models, joint technical training, and standardized regional marine terminology.

Strategic Priorities for the Marine Meteorology Sub-Working Group

To address these challenges, the MM-SWG proposes a 2026–2027 Work Plan, structured across five core work streams: Establishment and Coordination, Baseline Assessment and Gap Analysis, Capacity Development, Marine Services Harmonization and Knowledge Exchange, and Monitoring and Evaluation. 

The group aims to focus on validating the regional baseline and mapping capacity needs in 2026, followed by operational strengthening, technical cooperation, and and enhanced regional forecasting  collaboration  in 2027.

Technical Support & Regional Capabilities

The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS), outlined theirmulti-hazard and ocean state forecast portfolios—supported by a network of buoys, drifters, gliders, and numerical models. INCOIS highlighted its readiness to support SAHF members through technical expertise, vessel advisories, cyclone wave bulletins, and Potential Fishing Zone (PFZ) advisory training through its Category-2 Center.

WMO participants strongly supported the establishment of the SAHF MM-SWG as a key platform for strengthening South Asia’s coastal safety and technical capabilities. Experts recommended aligning the group’s work plan with International Maritime Organization (IMO) maritime safety audits and leveraging the upcoming WMO storm surge forecasting guide. 

To overcome critical observational and data gaps, WMO proposed utilizing the Systematic Observations Financing Facility (SOFF) for ocean observations and adopting WIS 2.0 protocols for real-time regional data sharing, while anchoring training initiatives to existing WMO regional training centers and coastal inundation frameworks.

Moving Forward

RIMES recognized the valuable inputs provided by participating countries, which will directly inform the operationalization of the Sub-Working Group’s work plan. 

Immediate follow-up actions include formulating concept papers on tide gauge sensor expansion and satellite data utilization, advancing multi-channel data-sharing protocols through WIS 2.0, and engaging the NWP working group to develop synergized Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for transboundary marine hazard coordination.

Through the MM-SWG, SAHF envisions to drive multi-model wave and storm surge forecasting, deliver targeted training for national forecasters, and strengthen institutional cooperation with regional centers of excellence. By harmonizing coastal hazard forecasting and standardizing operating procedures, the platform aims to deliver more timely, reliable, and actionable marine weather services to protect vulnerable coastal communities and economies across South Asia.

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The Climate Risk and Early Warning Systems (CREWS) South Asia Project supports the South Asia Hydromet Forum (SAHF) in strengthening regional cooperation and national capacities for effective, people-centered early warning systems. Implemented in partnership with the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and World Bank, the project advances regional priorities through improved hydrometeorological data, forecasting, knowledge-sharing, and capacity development to support timely and actionable early warning services across South Asia. For more information, go to: https://www.sahf.info/crews

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RIMES convened the ESCAP Phase III Project Inception Meeting on 13-14 August 2026  in Pathum Thani, Thailand, bringing together ESCAP and national meteorological and hydrological services, agriculture and disaster risk reduction partners from Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.

The meeting marked the commencement of Phase III of “Operationalizing Impact-Based Forecasting through the Localization of Decision Support Systems for the Agriculture and Disaster Risk Reduction Sectors,” implemented by RIMES under the ESCAP Multi-Donor Trust Fund for Tsunami, Disaster and Climate Preparedness.

Building on Phase II, which strengthened impact-based forecasting (IBF) capacities across nine countries and supported the customization of decision support systems for the agriculture sector, Phase III shifts the focus to localization, deployment, and pilot testing at the national and subnational levels. The aim is to translate forecasting capacity into actionable services that enable sectors and communities to better anticipate impacts and take timely, risk-informed action.

The meeting introduced the project’s rationale, objectives, expected outcomes and implementation approach, while highlighting the institutional arrangements required to move from capacity building to operational delivery.  A key lesson carried forward from Phase II is the importance of sustained coordination and data sharing between forecast producers and sectoral users for decision support systems to be effectively localized or sustained.

Country-led discussions translated this direction into practical implementation priorities. Supported by RIMES facilitators, delegations developed inception work plans covering priority sectors and hazards, proposed pilot locations, key risks and gaps, national focal points, Technical Working Group arrangements, pathways for data sharing, MOUs and Standard Operating Procedures, and immediate actions with responsibilities and indicative timelines. Presentation of the work plans to the plenary also provided an opportunity for South-South exchange across the Pacific and South Asia.

The meeting was conducted in a hybrid format to facilitate the participation of representatives from Papua New Guinea’s National Weather Service and National Disaster Center, as well as Thailand’s Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation.

The meeting resulted in country-specific inception work plans, confirmed or nominated national focal points, and agreed Technical Working Group arrangements. Countries also identified the data-sharing arrangements, providing a clear basis for immediate follow-up actions, responsibilities, and timelines.

Participating countries will now further refine their work plans in consultation with national and subnational stakeholders, while RIMES will consolidate these into country roadmaps for the remainder of the project period. These roadmaps will guide the localization and pilot testing of decision support systems, strengthen multisectoral coordination and last-mile delivery, and contribute to the Early Warnings for All initiative and greater resilience to weather- and climate-related hazards across RIMES Member and Collaborating States.

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The Regional Integrated Multi-Hazard Early Warning System (RIMES) actively participated in the ASEAN Climate Outlook Forum (ASEANCOF) Technical Working Group (TWG) Meeting, held on 23–24 July 2026 at the Centre for Climate Research Singapore (CCRS). The meeting brought together representatives from National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs), regional climate centres, and partner organizations to review ASEANCOF’s progress over the past five years and chart its future direction through the development of a regional science roadmap.

Since its establishment in 2013, ASEANCOF has served as a regional platform for NMHSs to jointly develop seasonal climate outlooks, exchange scientific knowledge, and strengthen regional collaboration in climate services. The first in-person TWG meeting provided an important opportunity for members to reflect on achievements, identify operational and technical challenges, and discuss priorities for the next phase of ASEANCOF.

As an implementing partner supporting ASEANCOF activities under the UK Met Office’s WISER Asia Pacific programme, RIMES contributed to the technical discussions by sharing operational experiences from previous ASEANCOF cycles and regional climate service initiatives. Throughout the two-day meeting, participants reviewed the evolution of ASEANCOF from its inception, discussed lessons learned from recent Forums, and identified opportunities to enhance the effectiveness, usability, and sustainability of regional climate outlook production. Discussions highlighted several priority areas, including improving the consistency of climate outlook products, strengthening communication of uncertainty and confidence, expanding user engagement, enhancing verification practices, and increasing collaboration among ASEAN NMHSs.

RIMES also contributed to discussions on the development of a draft ASEANCOF Science Roadmap, which outlines short-, medium-, and long-term actions to strengthen regional climate services. The roadmap emphasizes improving operational coordination among NMHSs, enhancing technical capacity through peer learning and training, expanding the use of emerging forecasting tools, and establishing sustainable mechanisms for knowledge exchange and institutional collaboration.

As part of the discussions, RIMES introduced updates on FOCUS-X, the latest version of its climate forecasting support tool. The enhanced system offers expanded capabilities for seasonal climate analysis, visualization, and forecast generation, providing additional tools that can support ASEAN NMHSs in preparing regional climate outlooks and strengthening climate service delivery.

RIMES also shared its experience in South Asia in supporting and facilitating the conduct of the South Asian Seasonal Climate Outlook Forum (SASCOF), in collaboration with RCC-Pune under the broader South Asia Hydromet Forum (SAHF) mechanism, as well as in developing and consolidating various weather and climate information tools and decision-support systems (DSSs) for a wide range of stakeholders in the region. These were offered as models of good practice, in the hope that relevant approaches and lessons may be adapted or replicated to suit the ASEAN regional context.

The meeting also reaffirmed the importance of maintaining ASEANCOF as a collaborative regional mechanism while gradually strengthening country ownership and long-term sustainability. Participants agreed that future efforts should focus not only on advancing scientific methodologies but also on ensuring that climate information is translated into actionable services that support decision-making across climate-sensitive sectors.

RIMES remains committed to supporting ASEANCOF and its member NMHSs through technical assistance, capacity development, knowledge sharing, and the development of innovative tools that strengthen climate services across Southeast Asia. The organization looks forward to continuing its collaboration with the ASEAN Specialized Meteorological Centre (ASMC), NMHSs, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the UK Met Office, and other regional partners in advancing climate resilience and improving the accessibility and application of climate information throughout the region.

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The Regional Integrated Multi-Hazard Early Warning System (RIMES) provided technical support to the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in convening the Stakeholder Consultation Workshop on Strengthening Climate Information and Early Warning Services (CIEWS) in Lao PDR, held on 29 June 2026 in Vientiane.

Organized under ADB Technical Assistance (TA) 10103: Increasing Investments in Early Warning Systems to Strengthen Climate and Disaster Resilience, the consultation brought together representatives from key government institutions, sectoral agencies, local stakeholders, and ADB project teams to jointly identify priority climate information and early warning needs and potential investment opportunities in Lao PDR. TA 10103 supports Lao PDR and other priority developing member countries in identifying gaps, designing strategic interventions, and developing investment pathways to strengthen climate information and early warning systems. In Lao PDR, the TA is supporting the development of CIEWS interventions linked to ADB’s Resilient and Sustainable Urban Improvement Project (RSUIP) and the Greater Mekong Subregion Smart and Sustainable Tourism Infrastructure for Inclusive Growth (GMS SSTIIG) Project. The workshop opened with remarks by Elizabeth Jung, Lead of the GMS SSTIIG Project, representing ADB.

A dedicated session led by government institutions, including the Department of Meteorology and Hydrology (DMH), provided an overview of Lao PDR’s current climate information and early warning landscape. The session highlighted national early warning priorities, implementation of the Early Warnings for All (EW4All) Roadmap, ongoing initiatives including CREWS, existing institutional roles and coordination mechanisms, and current utilization and gaps in climate and warning information for the tourism and urban sectors.

A key component of the workshop was a participatory hazard, exposure, impact, trigger, and decision-mapping exercise. Participants worked together to identify priority hazards including floods, droughts, landslides, and extreme heat alongside exposed urban and tourism assets, key institutional and operational decisions, and the forecast information and triggers required to support timely action.

Discussions identified practical opportunities for strengthening impact-based forecasting, sector-specific advisories, warning communication, preparedness actions, and decision-support systems. Potential applications included flood alerts for tourism sites, landslide advisories for access roads and trails, heat alerts for urban and tourism areas, dam-related flood warning protocols, and climate-informed urban service planning.

The consultation will inform the development of a practical and nationally aligned CIEWS concept and investment framework. It will also support exploration of future climate financing opportunities.

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Lalitpur, Nepal | 22 July 2026 – The Regional Integrated Multi-Hazard Early Warning System (RIMES), through the South Asia Hydromet Forum (SAHF) Impact-Based Forecasting (IBF) Project, supported Nepal’s Department of Hydrology and Meteorology (DHM) in convening the National Stakeholder Workshop on the National Demonstration of IBF for Temperature Extremes (Heat). The workshop marked a significant milestone in the project’s national demonstration activities, advancing impact-based forecasting and early warning systems for heat in Nepal.

The workshop brought together representatives from government agencies, provincial and local authorities, academia, humanitarian organizations, civil society, media, the private sector, and development partners to strengthen cross-sector collaboration and operationalize impact-based forecasting for heat. The activity forms part of the SAHF IBF Project’s broader effort to cascade national demonstration activities across South Asia, enabling National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs) and their partners to translate weather and climate information into actionable, people-centered early warnings.

Participants strengthened their understanding of the end-to-end IBF value chain and explored how forecasts can be translated into actionable decision-support information for vulnerable sectors. Technical sessions covered available forecasting products and tools, approaches to sectoral co-production, and effective dissemination of impact-based forecasts. Participants also exchanged practical experiences from ongoing local initiatives and examined the role of exposure, vulnerability, and Gender Equality, Disability, and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) considerations in ensuring early warning information reaches those most at risk from extreme heat.

The event facilitated discussions on sector-specific information needs across agriculture, health, water resources, energy, transportation, local government, humanitarian organizations. It concluded with agreed priority actions, implementation timelines, and next steps for Nepal’s national IBF demonstration — providing a coordinated roadmap for continued collaboration between DHM, sectoral agencies, and technical partners.

RIMES remains committed to supporting SAHF member countries in advancing people-centered IBF systems that strengthen anticipatory action and disaster preparedness. Through the SAHF IBF Project, RIMES continues to work with NMHSs and sectoral stakeholders across South Asia to build institutional capacity and enhance the delivery of actionable climate services that protect lives, livelihoods, and development gains.

𝐀𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐀𝐇𝐅 𝐈𝐁𝐅 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭: Supported by the UK government’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) through the Weather and Climate Information Services (WISER) Asia-Pacific Programme, a part of the Climate Action for a Resilient Asia (CARA) initiative, the SAHF IBF Project aims to drive transformational change in South Asia’s capacity to deliver anticipatory, impact-based forecasting. By strengthening institutional systems and methodologies,  the project helps translate weather information into actionable insights that build true climate resilience. 

For more information, visit: https://www.sahf.info/

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RIMES participated in the 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐀𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 (𝐖𝐀𝐈𝐂) 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐌𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐨𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐮𝐦, held in 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐡𝐚𝐢, 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐚, 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝟏𝟔 𝐭𝐨 𝟏𝟖 𝐉𝐮𝐥𝐲 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔, contributing to international discussions on advancing artificial intelligence to strengthen 𝐄𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐲 𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐀𝐥𝐥 (𝐄𝐖𝟒𝐀𝐥𝐥). Hosted by the China Meteorological Administration (CMA), the Forum brought together meteorological agencies, international organizations, researchers, and policymakers to promote collaboration on AI applications for meteorology, climate services, and disaster risk reduction.

As part of the Forum, 𝐑𝐈𝐌𝐄𝐒 𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐮𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐞𝐥 on “𝐀𝐈 𝐄𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐄𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐲 𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐀𝐥𝐥” where participants shared practical approaches to ensuring AI-enabled early warning systems remain effective, operational, and sustainable beyond the lifetime of externally funded projects.

Drawing on RIMES experience supporting Member States across Asia and Africa, RIMES shared institutional approach that the long-term success of AI-enabled early warning systems depends not only on technological innovation but also on designing sustainability from the outset. While AI itself is transforming forecasting and decision support, the greater challenge lies in establishing the institutional foundations that enable AI-powered early warning systems to continue serving communities for many years.

RIMES emphasized that sustainability must be designed from 𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝟏 by integrating strong national institutions, sustainable financing, national capacity development, trusted AI operational support, and regional cooperation into every project. This approach strengthens national ownership, ensures operational continuity, and enables countries to maintain and continuously improve AI-enabled early warning services beyond project completion. As RIMES highlighted during the Forum, sustainability is not something funded at the end of a project, it is something designed from the very beginning.

The Forum further strengthened the strategic partnership between 𝐑𝐈𝐌𝐄𝐒 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐚 𝐌𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐨𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐀𝐝𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 (𝐂𝐌𝐀). Building on our shared commitment to innovation and international cooperation.

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The Regional Integrated Multi-Hazard Early Warning System (RIMES) joined Bangladesh in commemorating International Lightning Safety Day 2026 on 28 June at the Krishibid Institution Bangladesh in Dhaka, marking the country’s inaugural national-level observance of the day. The event was held under the powerful Bangla slogan “শুনলে বজ্রধ্বনি, ঘরে যাই তখনই” (“When Thunder Roars, Get Indoors”).

In collaboration with the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD), UNICEF, Save the Children, and BRAC, RIMES organized the event, bringing together representatives from government agencies, development and humanitarian organizations, technical institutions, the media, educational institutions, and lightning-affected communities.

The observance emphasized that accurate lightning forecasts must be complemented by timely communication, practical safety knowledge, and appropriate public action to reduce lightning-related deaths and losses. Discussions highlighted the importance of strengthening early warning dissemination, improving public awareness, and ensuring that vulnerable communities receive clear and actionable safety information.

Community participants from Sunamganj shared how lightning has directly affected their lives and livelihoods. They also reflected on how increased awareness and access to weather information are helping communities use forecasts to plan farming and fishing activities, keep students indoors during thunderstorms, and circulate BMD forecasts among community members. However, participants noted that livelihood pressures, limited access to warnings, and gaps in practical safety knowledge continue to expose vulnerable groups to lightning risks.

The workshop also highlighted BMD’s experimental Lightning Alert System, developed with technical support from RIMES and operational from April 2025. The system provides location-specific lightning warnings and safety guidance one to six hours in advance through the BMD website, Facebook, WhatsApp, and other digital platforms.

A key part of the discussion focused on common misconceptions and practical safety measures. Mr. Rabbani emphasized that people should “seek indoor shelter, avoid standing under trees, and disperse rather than gather in groups when caught in open fields.” Participants also discussed the importance of avoiding plugged-in electrical equipment during thunderstorms and providing immediate CPR to a person struck by lightning.

The event reinforced the need to integrate the lightning alert system into regular institutional operations, strengthen last-mile dissemination, improve coordination among stakeholders, expand public awareness, and promote safe shelter during thunderstorms. It also reaffirmed the shared commitment of government agencies, technical organizations, development partners, and communities to ensure that timely and actionable lightning safety information reaches people at risk.

Md. Saidur Rahman Khan, Secretary of the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief, expressed the Ministry’s support for the initiative and stated that “The government understands the significance of this and The Ministry will work to make International Lightning Safety Day as a national day.” 

His remarks underscored the importance of translating awareness into practical local action to reduce lightning-related deaths and build safer communities.

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