4-day national drive to raise climate, tsunami awareness starts today
North Batinah will host an event called ‘National Awareness Campaign on Climate Hazards and Tsunami’ from May 12 to 15.
Led by Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), in collaboration with several government entities including the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Information, Governorate of North Batinah, Civil Defence and Ambulance Authority, and the National Committee for Emergency Management, the event aims to raise awareness and preparedness for climate extremes and tsunamis.
An official at CAA said, "The campaign has multiple objectives, including raising awareness among individuals and institutions about the risks associated with climate extremes and tsunamis, enhancing preparedness measures for emergencies, and fostering community partnerships for effective response and recovery efforts.”
He added that the key aspects of the campaign include promoting safe behaviour during emergencies and educating the public on ways to mitigate the impacts of such events. This aligns with
Oman's efforts in disaster preparedness, as demonstrated by the establishment of the National Multi Hazard Early Warning System in 2015, which is designed to provide timely alerts for various natural hazards, including tsunamis, cyclones and flash floods.
According to the official, CAA has undertaken several projects to bolster aviation safety and enhance meteorological services, such as installation of a hydrogen generator, establishment of new automatic meteorological stations, and implementation of a wireless emergency alert system for tsunami warnings.
The 'Muzn' programme aims to improve quality of alerts and early warning systems, while the early warning broadcast service for weather conditions via mobile phones, launched in collaboration with Telecommunications Regulatory Authority in 2023, enhances public access to critical information.
"Additionally, efforts such as the 'Friends of Meteorology' initiative aim to engage amateur meteorologists through meetings and training sessions focused on weather forecasting, fostering a broader community involvement in weather-related activities.”