The Regional Integrated Multi-Hazard Early Warning System (RIMES), in collaboration with the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR), successfully conducted the SLMC Regional Review and Planning Workshop and the Flood Forecasting on a Shoestring Budget (FFSB) Technical Workshop from 8–11 June 2026 in Pathum Thani, Thailand.

The four-day regional event brought together representatives from national meteorological and hydrological services, disaster management authorities, local government institutions technical institutions, and development partners from across South and Southeast Asia. The workshop provided a platform to review implementation progress, exchange country experiences, strengthen technical capacities, and identify practical ways to sustain people-centered early warning services.

The SLMC Regional Review and Planning Workshop focused on progress across Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. The country teams shared achievements, lessons learned, operational challenges, and priorities for future investments aimed at improving impact-based forecasting, decision support systems, anticipatory action, and community preparedness. The discussions supported forward planning for the next phase of SLMC and encouraged stronger alignment between country needs, operational tools, and institutional sustainability.

The FFSB Technical Workshop, led by UCAR and FFSB experts, introduced practical and cost-effective flood forecasting approaches using open-source tools, freely available datasets, and operational forecasting workflows. Technical discussions covered precipitation estimation and forecasting, forecast uncertainty, ensemble hydrologic forecasting, hydrologic model parameter estimation, reservoir inflow forecasting, and applications of forecasting tools such as RDHM, HEC-RAS, and TRITON. Participants also explored how low-cost forecasting methods can be adapted to resource-constrained operational settings.

The workshop also provided a platform for participants to identify common regional challenges, exchange good practices, and explore opportunities for future collaboration in strengthening early warning systems and disaster risk reduction initiatives.

By linking SLMC’s last-mile communication work with FFSB’s practical flood forecasting approach, the workshop highlighted the importance of connecting forecasting science with actionable early warnings.

RIMES extends its sincere appreciation to UCAR and FFSB experts, participating country agencies, technical experts, development partners, and all workshop participants for their valuable contributions to the success of the event. The workshop reaffirmed the importance of regional cooperation and knowledge sharing in strengthening resilience and ensuring that early warning information effectively reaches vulnerable communities.

The post RIMES Convenes Regional Workshop on Strengthening Last-Mile Communication and Flood Forecasting appeared first on RIMES.

RIMES supported the conduct of the 11th Cambodia National Monsoon Forum on 2 June 2026 in Phnom Penh and the 22nd Lao PDR National Monsoon Forum on 4 June 2026 in Vientiane through the Climate Risk and Early Warning Systems (CREWS) Initiative. The forums were organized in collaboration with the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the Department of Meteorology (DOM) of Cambodia’s Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology (MOWRAM), and the Department of Meteorology and Hydrology (DMH) of Lao PDR’s Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (MAE).

The National Monsoon Forums serve as important platforms for bringing together climate information providers and users to discuss seasonal climate outlooks, emerging risks, and preparedness actions. This year’s forums gathered representatives from government agencies, development partners, media institutions, academia, and technical organizations to review recent climate conditions and discuss the outlook for the June–September (JJAS) 2026 season.

A key focus of both forums was the potential development of El Niño conditions during 2026 and the implications this may have for climate-sensitive sectors. Participants explored possible impacts on agriculture, water resources, disaster risk management, public health, and other sectors that rely on timely weather and climate information for planning and decision-making.

In addition to technical presentations, participants took part in sectoral group discussions that examined potential risks associated with the upcoming season and their likely impacts on different sectors. Working in groups, participants identified priority concerns, discussed preparedness and anticipatory actions, and shared recommendations on the climate information products and services needed to support sectoral planning and decision-making.

The group discussions concluded with presentations of sectoral outputs, providing an opportunity to compare perspectives across sectors and identify common priorities. While the risks and concerns varied, participants highlighted the importance of early preparedness, access to timely climate information, and continued coordination between climate information providers and users. The recommendations generated during the forums will support ongoing efforts to strengthen climate services and preparedness planning in Cambodia and Lao PDR.

The post RIMES Supports National Monsoon Forums in Cambodia and Lao PDR to Strengthen Climate-Informed Preparedness for the 2026 Monsoon Season appeared first on RIMES.

Sindhupalchok, Nepal, 02 June 2026 — RIMES, in partnership with Nepal’s Department of Hydrology and Meteorology (DHM) and Melamchi Municipality, conducted a capacity-building workshop on 2 June 2026 in Sindhupalchok, Nepal, bringing together municipal and district officials, ward representatives, community volunteers, and local NGOs from Melamchi, Helambu, and Indrawati municipalities, as well as the Sindhupalchok district office — all working across disaster risk reduction and climate-sensitive sectors. The workshop was implemented through the Strengthening Last-Mile Communication (SLMC) Project, supported by the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR) with funding from the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (PRM) / Office of International Disaster Response (IDR) of the U.S. Department of State, to strengthen last-mile access to and meaningful use of early warning information.

The workshop drew directly on the latest seasonal outlook and the tools, methodologies, and lessons from SASCOF-34 and the Climate Services User Forum (CSUF), held in April 2026 under the South Asia Hydromet Forum (SAHF) Climate Services Project. Technical sessions were facilitated by DHM personnel, including a representative who participated in SASCOF-34 — ensuring that regional climate knowledge flowed directly into local preparedness discussions.

Key outcomes included strengthened practical understanding of DHM weather forecasts, seasonal outlooks, and hydrometeorological sensor data; enhanced local capacity to translate forecast information into preparedness actions and sectoral advisories; and strengthened coordination among key stakeholders.

The workshop was warmly welcomed by municipal representatives, with a DRR focal person expressing interest in replicating a similar session at the district level — a sign of the growing demand for actionable climate services across Nepal.

This workshop exemplifies how RIMES projects work in synergy — connecting regional climate outlook generation, climate services capacity development, and last-mile communication into one integrated approach. Climate information is not only produced; it is understood, trusted, and acted upon by local governments, communities, and sectoral stakeholders — advancing climate resilience from the regional to the community level.

The post Strengthening Climate Resilience from Regional Outlooks to Community Action appeared first on RIMES.

Bangladesh, May 2026 — The Regional Integrated Multi-Hazard Early Warning System (RIMES) conducted and supported a series of activities on Heatwave Impact-Based Forecasting and Sectoral Advisory Development in May 2026 to strengthen preparedness, coordination, and anticipatory action against increasing heatwave risks in Bangladesh.

These activities form a key part of the country’s national demonstration of IBF on heat-related hazards as part of the WISER-supported SAHF IBF Project which aims to translate temperature forecasts into sector-specific, action-oriented advisories to strengthen preparedness and early action during the heat season.

The activities included district-level consultations in Lalmonirhat and Rajshahi, followed by a two-day Technical Training and Stakeholder Workshop on Heatwave Impact-Based Forecasting and Sectoral Advisory Development in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Together, these activities brought together technical agencies, sectoral departments, local stakeholders, and partner organizations to improve the use of forecast information for early action and sector-specific preparedness.

Strengthening district-level preparedness in Lalmonirhat and Rajshahi

The local consultations on the Impact-Based Forecasting of Heatwave were held on 10 May 2026 in Lalmonirhat and on 13 May 2026 in Rajshahi. The consultations brought together representatives from the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD), Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), Department of Livestock Services (DLS), Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), disaster management authorities, and development partners.

The consultations focused on translating weather forecasts into actionable preparedness measures through IBF. Technical sessions covered heatwave climatology, forecasting systems, localized trigger and threshold development, agriculture and livestock impacts, anticipatory action planning, and digital advisory dissemination systems.

In Lalmonirhat, discussions highlighted the role of IBF in converting forecast information into practical advisories for vulnerable communities. Sessions also covered Bangladesh’s heatwave climatology, forecasting systems, operational heatwave monitoring approaches, livestock heat stress, veterinary preparedness, emergency response measures, crop planning, irrigation management, agro-meteorological advisory dissemination through BAMIS, and localized trigger and threshold development using historical temperature percentile analysis.

In Rajshahi, discussions centered on preparedness in one of Bangladesh’s heat-prone regions. Sessions covered localized heatwave risk assessment, district-specific thresholds, livestock preparedness, agriculture advisories, and public health risks. Health sector representatives, including civil surgeons and doctors from DGHS, highlighted risks such as dehydration, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke, particularly among outdoor workers, elderly people, children, and low-income communities. They emphasized public awareness, hydration, reduced outdoor exposure during peak heat hours, access to safe drinking water, and monitoring of vulnerable family members. They also recommended a common alert dissemination platform for DGHS and related health institutions.

Building technical capacity on heatwave monitoring and forecasting

The two-day Technical Training and Stakeholder Workshop on Heatwave IBF and Sectoral Advisory Development was conducted on 17–18 May 2026, organized by BMD, with technical assistance from the RIMES. The training focused on strengthening BMD’s capacity in heatwave monitoring, characterization, station and gridded temperature data analysis, and percentile-based threshold calculations. On the other hand, the discussions emphasized the need to update and localize heatwave thresholds because impacts vary across regions.

The first day focused on strengthening the technical capacity of BMD officials experienced in climate services, forecast production, and impact-based forecasting. Sessions covered heatwave monitoring and characterization, station and gridded temperature data analysis, and percentile-based threshold calculations. Discussions emphasized that heatwave thresholds need to be updated and region-specific, as heatwave impacts differ across locations.

The training also included a practical demonstration of the INSTANT-SA portal, showing how forecast outputs can be visualized and used for sectoral decision-making. Sessions highlighted the use of scientifically robust thresholds and indices such as Heat Index, Universal Thermal Climate Index, and Excess Heat Factor to improve the accuracy and operational relevance of BMD’s forecasts.

The second day brought together 42 participants, including BMD experts and stakeholders from DGHS, DAE, DLS, DDM, and other partner organizations. Discussions focused on Bangladesh’s increasing heatwave risks, the need for research-informed thresholds, and the development of actionable advisories for health, agriculture, livestock, disaster management, and other sectors.

Through sectoral discussions and interactive group exercises, participants examined exposure, vulnerability, and information needs. They identified vulnerable groups, including elderly people, children under five, people with chronic illnesses, pregnant women, outdoor workers, coastal residents, small-scale livestock and poultry farmers, school children, and people facing poverty, poor sanitation, or other health and socio-economic challenges. They also assessed exposure factors such as high physical exertion, population density, crop and livestock exposure, urban heat islands, poorly insulated housing, shaded public transport stops, and temporary housing.

Sectoral speakers from fisheries, health, agriculture, and livestock shared experiences and recommendations. Key priorities included strengthening small-scale aquaculture coping capacity, expediting training manuals for medical personnel, improving upazila-wise forecasts and dissemination, establishing early warning system portals for farmers, conducting national-level workshops, and creating a joint platform for automatic alerts.

Across the activities, participants identified major challenges, including the variation of heatwave impacts across regions and sectors, the complexity of thresholds and advisories, coordination gaps, limited integration of exposure and vulnerability data, and the lack of joint platforms for automatic alerts and streamlined early action.

The way forward includes strengthening BMD’s technical capacity, updating region-specific heatwave thresholds, developing sector-specific advisories that integrate hazard, exposure, and vulnerability data, improving early warning dissemination, expanding stakeholder engagement across key sectors, and creating a joint alert platform to support coordinated and timely response.

The activities underscored the importance of linking technical forecasting with sectoral knowledge, localized preparedness, and coordinated dissemination to help ensure that forecast information supports early action and protects vulnerable populations from extreme heat impacts.

Sectoral recommendations and emerging priorities

Sectoral speakers from fisheries, health, agriculture, and livestock shared experiences, challenges, and recommendations. The discussions highlighted several common priorities, including strengthening coping capacity and stakeholder engagement in small-scale aquaculture, expediting training manuals for medical personnel, improving upazila-wise forecasts and effective dissemination, establishing early warning system portals for farmers, and conducting national-level workshops. Stakeholders also emphasized the importance of a joint platform for automatic alerts to enable more effective early action.

Across the activities, key challenges included the variation of heatwave impacts across regions and sectors, the complexity of thresholds and advisories, the vulnerability of elderly people, children, outdoor workers, small-scale farmers, and people with health or socio-economic challenges, coordination gaps between sectors, limited integration of exposure and vulnerability data, the need for region-specific percentile-based thresholds, and the lack of joint platforms for automatic alerts and streamlined early action mechanisms.

The identified way forward includes strengthening technical capacity for BMD staff on heatwave monitoring, forecasting, and impact-based forecasting; updating and calibrating heatwave thresholds regionally; developing actionable sector-specific advisories that integrate hazard, exposure, and vulnerability data; improving dissemination of early warnings and sectoral guidance, including upazila-wise forecasts; increasing stakeholder engagement in fisheries, health, agriculture, and livestock; establishing national-level workshops and early warning system portals; and creating a joint platform for automatic alerts.

Toward coordinated heatwave early warning and early action

The activities demonstrated the importance of linking technical forecasting with sectoral knowledge, local preparedness, and coordinated dissemination. The district consultations strengthened local understanding of heatwave risks and advisory interpretation, while the national training and stakeholder workshop provided a platform to connect forecasts with exposure, vulnerability, and sector-specific response measures.

Overall, the proceedings highlighted the need for continuous stakeholder engagement, localized forecasting systems, improved institutional coordination, stronger advisory dissemination mechanisms, and community-focused preparedness measures to ensure that forecast information effectively supports early action and helps protect vulnerable populations from extreme heat impacts.

The post Bangladesh Strengthens Heatwave Preparedness through Impact-Based Forecasting and Sectoral Advisory Development appeared first on RIMES.

Lower Chitral, Pakistan, 6–7 May 2026 — RIMES organized a two-day Flash Flood Early Action Protocol (EAP) Validation and Emergency Simulation Drill in District Chitral Lower, Pakistan, in collaboration with the District Administration of Chitral and Focus Humanitarian Network, as part of the Strengthening Last-Mile Communication (SLMC) Project, funded by the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR).

The activity brought together government departments, humanitarian actors, community representatives, emergency responders, and volunteers from vulnerable communities, including the Kalash Indigenous group, to strengthen preparedness and coordination ahead of flash flood risks.

During the EAP Validation Workshop, participants reviewed and refined district-level protocols, emphasizing the importance of:

• involving all age groups in preparedness activities;
• combining oral histories from elders with scientific risk information;
• addressing connectivity challenges through local solutions such as megaphones;
• conducting mock drills before the monsoon and winter seasons;
• identifying safe spaces with prepositioned resources;
• strengthening community ownership, hazard watch groups, and civil defense integration;
• updating risk knowledge on glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) and flash floods; and
• expanding awareness through social media, mosques, madrasas, and local networks.

On the second day, a scenario-based emergency simulation drill was led by the Assistant Commissioner of Chitral. A mock flash flood forecast issued by the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) was cascaded through departments down to the community level, testing evacuation procedures, communication flows, and inter-agency coordination.

More than 70 participants joined the drill, including community volunteers, government officials, community emergency response teams, and Rescue 1122. The drill demonstrated how a flash flood emergency could unfold and how local institutions and communities can coordinate timely preparedness and response actions.

The two-day activity strengthened confidence in local response capacity, validated district-level Early Action Protocols, and identified key areas for improvement, particularly in communication, resource mobilization, and sustained community engagement.

Participants and government departments emphasized the need for continuous community mock drills and capacity building for relevant institutions and communities. Given local resource constraints, they also expressed hope that donors and development partners will continue supporting anticipatory action planning so that vulnerable communities in Chitral can act early and effectively when flash flood risks emerge.

The activity marks an important step in translating anticipatory action planning into operational practice by combining technical expertise, institutional coordination, and community knowledge.

The post RIMES Supports Flash Flood Early Action Protocol Validation and Emergency Simulation Drill in Chitral Lower, Pakistan appeared first on RIMES.

RIMES conducted a rigorous three-week technical capacity-building program for Timor-Leste at its headquarters in Pathum Thani, Thailand, from 27 April to 15 May 2026, under the Green Climate Fund-United Nations Environment Programme (GCF-UNEP) project “Enhancing Early Warning Systems to build greater resilience to hydro-meteorological hazards in Timor-Leste (FP171)”. Aligned with the training architecture established by RIMES Director General, Mr. A.R. Subbiah, the program’s overarching objective was to transition Timor-Leste’s Direção Nacional de Meteorologia e Geofísica (DNMG) from general weather forecasting to operational multi-sector Impact-Based Forecasting (IBF).

Weeks 1 & 2: S2S Forecasting and WRF Configuration 

During the first two weeks, RIMES equipped DNMG meteorologists with the computational skills required to configure and run high-resolution Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) simulations for 15-day (sub-seasonal) to 3-month (seasonal) horizons. Participants engaged in extensive command-line operations, utilizing Linux, Python, and Climate Data Operators (CDO) to process Global Climate Model (GCM) data, specifically downloading and subsetting GFS and ECMWF datasets.

Technical instruction covered the complete WRF architecture, including the execution of WRF Preprocessing System (WPS) components: geogrid, ungrib, and metgrid. The sessions concluded in converting GRIB files to NetCDF formats, applying bias correction using historical station data, and utilizing GrADS and GIS tools for spatial visualization to prepare localized seasonal outlooks for the 11th Monsoon Forum.

Week 3: Operationalizing Multi-Sector IBF and Decision Support Systems 

In the final week, RIMES expanded the program to 12 delegates representing critical institutions, including DNMG, the Civil Protection Authority (APC), National Maritime Authority (AMN), Ministry of Health, APORTIL, Ministry of Agriculture, and the Maritime Police. This phase focused on integrating the generated WRF outputs into sector-specific Decision Support Systems (DSS) to translate hydro-meteorological thresholds into actionable operational triggers across key sectors: 

• Agriculture: Utilizing CDIS for rainfall variation tracking and SESAME for long-lead agrometeorological advisories.
• Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR): Employing DRR DSS for high-resolution disaster risk mapping and spatial vulnerability analysis.
• Ocean and Fisheries: Leveraging OSFAS for interpreting wave height, wind, and sea state forecasts.
• Health: Utilizing the Climate Risk Information System for Health (CRISH) for predictive disease modeling based on S2S trends.

Simulation and SOP Validation

To stress-test multi-timescale integration, delegates executed a cascading hazard simulation, responding to a prolonged El Niño-induced drought interrupted by a sudden high-impact cyclone event. This exercise mapped slow-onset impacts to real-time disaster response workflows across sectors. The multi-agency delegation subsequently validated and formalized a unified Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), establishing clear institutional mandates for DSS management, early warning dissemination workflows, and data-sharing protocols, a significant milestone in strengthening Timor-Leste’s preparedness for hydro-meteorological hazards.

The successful completion of this program represents a concrete leap forward in Timor-Leste’s early warning capability. With a validated multi-agency SOP, operational DSS tools across key sectors, and a delegation ready to deliver impact-based forecasts at the 11th Monsoon Forum, Timor-Leste is now better positioned than ever to protect lives and livelihoods in the face of hydro-meteorological hazards.

The post RIMES Strengthens Timor-Leste’s Early Warning Capability Through Intensive Capacity-Building Program appeared first on RIMES.

MALÉ, Maldives — Climate experts, government officials, and sectoral representatives from nine South Asian countries gathered in Malé, Maldives from 25–30 April 2026 to strengthen regional climate services and improve how climate information supports real-world decisions in agriculture, health, tourism, disaster management, transport, and other climate-sensitive sectors.

The week-long series of activities, convened under the South Asia Hydromet Forum (SAHF) Climate Services initiative, brought together National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs), technical partners, and user sectors to enhance seasonal forecasting capacity, develop the SASCOF-34 regional monsoon outlook, and advance the co-design and co-production of climate services across South Asia.

Supported by the UK Met Office through the Weather and Climate Information Services Asia Pacific (WISER AP) programme under the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office’s Climate Action for a Resilient Asia (CARA) initiative, the engagements included the hands-on training workshop sessions for forecasters and user sectors, the SAHF Climate Services Working Group Meeting, the 34th session of the South Asian Climate Outlook Forum (SASCOF-34), and the Climate Services User Forum (CSUF).

A central message emerged throughout the week: climate information must move beyond technical forecasts and become actionable guidance that communities, governments, and sectors can use for planning, preparedness, and early action.

Opening the CSUF, Maldives Minister of Climate Change, Environment and Energy Ali Shareef emphasized the growing importance of climate services in everyday decision-making.

“For layman people, they might not even have a clue if they are using these climate services, but indirectly, yes, that’s what he was asking for,” Minister Shareef said, recalling a recent conversation with a resident who sought weather guidance for construction activities.

Honourable Ali Shareef, Maldives Minister of Climate Change, Environment and Energy delivering his opening remarks during the CSUF.

He also called for stronger participation from user sectors in shaping climate information products. “It would be good if they (the user sectors) could be part of this conversation, so that they could provide information how they want to see these products to be improved and what needs to go in it,” he added.

Strengthening forecasting capacity

The week began with a Technical Training Workshop, where meteorologists and climate forecasters received hands-on training on seasonal forecasting tools, climate model analysis, and impact-based forecasting applications. Participants worked with modern and innovative platforms such as XCast, the ECMWF Climate Data Store, and the UN ESCAP’s QGIS-based impact analysis tools to support the preparation of seasonal outlooks and sectoral climate information.

The training also discussed Python-based forecasting workflows, ensemble prediction systems, and impact-based forecasting approaches. These tools aim to help NMHSs produce more accessible, reliable, and decision-oriented climate information at national and sub-national levels.

Advancing regional climate services priorities

The SAHF Climate Services Working Group Meeting provided a platform for country representatives and partners to review progress, discuss regional assessments, examine training needs, and identify priorities for the Working Group towards establishing a South Asian Regional Framework for Climate Services (RFCS).

Participants discussed the need to improve interoperability among climate platforms, enhance sub-seasonal to seasonal forecasting capacities, strengthen observation and data-sharing systems, and institutionalize long-term capacity development. They also reviewed decision support systems and climate service tools that can help users better understand risks and take informed action.

The Working Group emphasized that climate services must evolve through sustained engagement with end users. Participants called for stronger sectoral representation, continuous feedback mechanisms, and more structured co-production processes to ensure climate information remains relevant, understandable, and actionable.

Regional outlook issued for 2026 monsoon season

At SASCOF-34, regional climate experts developed the consensus seasonal outlook for June–September (JJAS) 2026 southwest monsoon season. The outlook projected above-normal temperatures across most of South Asia, with rainfall conditions varying across the region due to the anticipated development of El Niño conditions and evolving Indian Ocean climate drivers.

The outlook indicated below-normal rainfall as most likely across central and southern parts of South Asia, including parts of India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. Normal to above-normal rainfall was projected in parts of northwestern and northeastern South Asia, as well as island regions such as the Maldives.

The forum also highlighted advances in seasonal forecasting methodologies, including improved ENSO monitoring tools, multi-model ensemble forecasting systems, and verification methods that support more objective and transparent climate outlooks.

Access the full Seasonal Outlook for JJAS 2026 Season here.

Bringing users into the climate services process

The CSUF brought together representatives from disaster management, agriculture, tourism, transport, health, humanitarian action, and other user sectors to discuss how climate information can better support planning and operations.

Participants shared how sectors already use climate information and identified common challenges, including the need for longer lead times, more localized forecasts, clearer advisories, sector-specific thresholds, and improved communication of probabilistic information.

RIMES representative Anshul Agarwal highlighted the growing role of climate services in helping governments and communities manage increasing climate extremes.

“CSUF has become an integral part of SASCOF, with representatives from various user sectors participating on a regular basis and serving as support to bridge the gap between science and society,” he said. “We are also experiencing a lot of extremes in every season, so it’s very important to provide some outlook which can help and support governments for planning.”

Through interactive co-production exercises, participants developed sector-specific advisories for agriculture, health, tourism, and disaster management based on the SASCOF consensus outlook. The exercises showed the importance of translating probabilistic forecasts into practical guidance, including preparedness actions, early action triggers, and coordination mechanisms that user agencies can apply before climate risks escalate.

A panel discussion with user sector representatives further examined how climate information is understood, trusted, and applied across different sectors. Moderated by Raihanul Haque Khan, RIMES Bangladesh Country Program Lead, the discussion focused on a key question for climate services: whether available climate information is timely, reliable, and usable enough to support sectoral decisions.

For agriculture, participants emphasized the need to package climate information in ways that directly respond to farmers’ decisions on crop selection, planting schedules, irrigation, fertilizer application, pest and disease control, and harvesting. “Every time, we have to think from the farmer’s point of view,” said Soe Moe Win, Staff Officer of Myanmar’s Department of Agriculture.

In the tourism sector, Malaka Abdul Hameed, Director of Security and Crisis Management,  in Maldives, stressed that timely and reliable climate information is essential for protecting guests, staff, and business operations. “For the tourism industry, timely and reliable information is very important because we focus on guest safety, staff safety, crisis preparedness, and business continuity,” she said.

She also highlighted the need for two- to four-week lead times, multilingual alerts, and clearer action guidance to help tourism operators prepare for weather- and climate-related risks, particularly during peak travel periods.

From the disaster risk reduction sector, Nepal National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) Meteorologist Nirmala Regmi said climate information supports preparedness planning and early action. “Climate information is the basic key for the disaster risk reduction sector,” she said, noting that timely and accurate sector-specific climate outlooks help agencies develop monsoon preparedness and response plans, estimate potential impacts, and coordinate early action protocols, particularly as Nepal advances the Early Warnings for All (EW4All) initiative and anticipatory action frameworks.

Y.A.C.R. Kumara, Chief Engineer from Sri Lanka’s Irrigation Department, underscored the need to simplify climate information and align it with operational decisions. “We don’t need much data and technical terminology; what we need is data which support our decisions,” he said.

He also emphasized the importance of downscaled, location-specific climate information presented in formats that users can easily understand and apply, such as maps, advisories, thresholds, and other decision-support products.

Panelists agreed that platforms such as the CSUF are essential for strengthening dialogue between climate information providers and user sectors. They also called for more regular engagement beyond regional forums, particularly at national and local levels, where climate information must be translated into concrete decisions, preparedness measures, and community-level action.

Sustaining engagement beyond the forum

David Corbelli, Senior International Development Manager from the UK Met Office, emphasized the need to sustain and expand collaboration between climate information providers and user sectors across South Asia so that climate information can be utilized to support decision-making and enhance their resilience.

MMS Director General Abdulla Wahid also stressed that the value of climate information depends on whether it reaches communities and supports action. “Dissemination is most important. How can we reach the user communities? We have to find ways of reaching them,” he said.

Participants agreed that future efforts should strengthen continuous engagement beyond annual forums by using national climate outlook forums, communities of practice, sectoral focal points, online platforms, and regular feedback mechanisms.

The week-long engagements demonstrated South Asia’s growing commitment to strengthening climate services through technical innovation, regional cooperation, and meaningful stakeholder engagement. Organizers said the outcomes will support more user-centered, impact-based, and actionable climate services to help communities and sectors prepare for climate risks and build resilience across the region.

The activities were coordinated with support from RIMES, the India Meteorological Department, Regional Climate Centre Pune, the UK Met Office, the Maldives Meteorological Service, the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN ESCAP), and regional and international partners.

The post SAHF Convenes Stakeholders to Bridge Climate Science and Sectoral Action appeared first on RIMES.

The Regional Integrated Multi-Hazard Early Warning System (RIMES) hosted a high-level coordination meeting with a delegation from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) on 15 May 2026 at the RIMES Office in Bangkok, Thailand. The meeting brought together senior representatives and technical teams from both organisations to review the progress of joint climate resilience programmes and chart the course for future collaboration.

Mr. A.R. Subbiah, Director General of RIMES, and Mr. Jochem Zoetelief, Head of the Climate Early Warning Section, Climate Change Division, United Nations Environment Programme, attended the meeting alongside their respective teams. The UNEP delegation included Ms. Bora Kim, Mr. Jungjae Lee, and Mr. Futo Murata, while the RIMES team comprised subject matter experts, and operation and programme management specialists.

The two-hour session covered a range of active programmes. Detailed updates were presented on the GCF-funded project in Timor-Leste, addressing implementation progress, current technical activities, and coordination mechanisms. Progress on SOFF-supported activities in both Timor-Leste and the Maldives was also reviewed, covering procurement status, technical coordination, and planned next steps. The GCF Maldives Project received dedicated attention, with discussions focused on national stakeholder engagement and upcoming implementation priorities.

A standout presentation on RIMES’ Climate Language Model Development demonstrated how the organisation is applying artificial intelligence to enhance climate services and decision support systems — and how this innovation can be integrated into UNEP’s climate early warning agenda going forward. The meeting was held to reinforce operational coordination and ensure that both organisations move in the same direction in delivering timely, science-based climate information to the most vulnerable communities across the Asia-Pacific region. The outcomes reaffirmed the enduring institutional partnership between RIMES and UNEP and their shared resolve to scale up people-centred early warning systems throughout the region.

The post RIMES and UNEP Convene to Strengthen Climate Early Warning Cooperation Across the Asia-Pacific appeared first on RIMES.

The 26th Session of the ASEAN Climate Outlook Forum (ASEANCOF-26) is happening on 22 May 2026!

Hosted by the Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration, ASEANCOF-26 will provide the regional climate outlook for the June–August 2026 season and bring together meteorological and climate experts from across Southeast Asia.

ASEANCOF-26 aims to strengthen the capacity and confidence of National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs) in delivering actionable climate forecasts that support climate-informed decision-making across sectors, guided by the theme, “Navigating Our Future, Together: Translating Climate Forecasts into Action.”

Registration is now open: https://tinyurl.com/ASEANCOF26-Reg

Stay tuned for more updates on ASEANCOF-26! #ClimateOutlook #ASEAN #EarlyWarning #Resilience #ClimateAction #ASEANCOF #ClimateResilience #EarlyWarning #UKAidWISER #ASEANCOF26 

—————

ASEANCOF-26 is supported by the UK government’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) through the Weather and Climate Information Services (WISER) Asia-Pacific Programme, part of the Climate Action for a Resilient Asia (CARA) initiative.

The post The 26th Session of the ASEAN Climate Outlook Forum (ASEANCOF-26) appeared first on RIMES.

Beijing, China, 22 April 2026 – The Regional Integrated Multi-Hazard Early Warning System (RIMES) participated in the 3^rd High-Level Meeting of the Forum on Global Action for Shared Development, hosted by the China Meteorological Administration.

The forum brought together global partners to advance cooperation on disaster risk reduction and to accelerate progress under the Early Warnings for All initiative. RIMES’ participation reflects its continued commitment to strengthening inter-regional collaboration and supporting countries in addressing the early warning gap.

A key highlight of the meeting was the technical exchange on “MAZU,” China’s integrated global early warning solution. The system presents a comprehensive approach across the full early warning value chain, linking monitoring, forecasting, dissemination, and response within a unified framework.

RIMES engaged in discussions on MAZU’s modular architecture and its application of artificial intelligence in forecasting, including its adaptability across diverse national contexts. These exchanges provide useful insights for further enhancing RIMES’ decision support systems and advancing scalable, user-oriented solutions for its Member States.

The forum also served as a platform for dialogue among meteorological agencies and development partners on strengthening coordination and operationalizing end-to-end early warning systems. Discussions highlighted the importance of ensuring that technological advancements translate into actionable information that reaches at-risk communities.

RIMES continues to work with global and regional partners to support the delivery of impact-based, multi-hazard early warning services, contributing to improved preparedness, risk-informed decision-making, and resilience across its Member States.

The post RIMES Strengthens Global Collaboration on Early Warning Systems at High-Level Forum in Beijing appeared first on RIMES.