Upscaling infrastructure

A WORKSHOP aimed at upscaling the Coastal Inundation Forecast Demonstration Project – Fiji (CIFDP-F) to improve multi-hazard early warning systems activities for coastal inundation, riverine flooding and flash-flood risk was hosted by the Fiji Meteorological Service (FMS) in collaboration with the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) on Thursday.

“What we wanted was to hear the thoughts of government agencies as well as stakeholders especially nongovernment organisations and civil societies on the proposal that we are doing for adaptation fund in terms of upscaling the current infrastructure that we have at the moment in terms of wave model, coastal inundation model and riverine flood model,” said FMS senior scientific officer Stephen Meke.

Mr Meke highlighted the capacity to further work on advancements in new technologies and innovation ideas was a challenge for FMS.

“For FMS we have improved over the years but as always there are challenges and our forecasting system is also one of them – it’s been there for so many years and

I think now it needs to be changed to incorporate what the people or users really need.”

He said engaging with communities to raise awareness has always been a vital part of the work.

“Unfortunately during COVID-19 we were unable to carry out these awareness activities so what we do know is whenever there’s a new project that comes into place or improvements into the system or the products that we develop then we take it out for awareness.”

Mr Meke said as cyclone season approaches it was important to be aware of what was happening.

Picture: FILE/SOPHIE RALULU Fiji is severely and regularly affected by floods that can take lives, damage to housing and infrastructure and economic disruption. Pictured is a flood in Labasa Town in 2020.