Zimbabwe takes heed to ‘early warning, early action in the great fight against climate change .

By Nevson Mpofu [caption id="attachment_95225" align="alignnone" width="904"] Mangaliso Ndhlovu Minister of Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry[/caption] World Meteorological day commemorations in Harare on 23 March pushes Zimbabwe to take action once any climate change shocks resulting in disasters accumulates. The theme of this year, "early warning, early action” - hydro - meteorological and climate Information for disaster risk reduction is such a vehicle to drive the country out of challenges imposed by climate change. Speaking in Harare on behalf of First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa at the celebrations event Mangaliso Ndhlovu Minister of Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry said the country is working hard to eradicate rippling effects of climate change. He pointed out that this is mainly done for the sake of lifting out communities out of the pool of challenges related to climate shocks and eruption of disasters and hazards which cause poverty and vulnerability. "The country has done much hard work to eradicate rippling effects of climate change .These were done specifically to lift out communities out of pool of challenges related to climate shocks and eruption of disasters and hazards which cause poverty and vulnerability." ""Zimbabwe is faced by increasing threats of climate change which cause extreme weather events such as heat waves, increased frequency of cyclones and droughts .Communities are exposed to multiple hazards which are a result of population increase, urbanization and environmental degradation". The country has come up with a radar system which strengthens early warning systems for early action. He further on talked of mapping ways of reducing disasters. This has been done working with partners. The radar system monitors tropical cyclones, heavy rains, thunderstorms, hail storms, lightning, strong winds and some calamities. ""The country has come up with a radar system which strengthens early warning systems for early action. It must also be noted that our mapping strategy comes with ways of reducing disasters. Radar monitors tropical cyclones, heavy rains, thunderstorms, hail, lightning and strong winds .This has been done working with our partners” "The country has helped communities by adding 14 more weather stations throughout the country. This helps eradicate or automatically wipe off early signs of harsh weather conditions likely to affect people of a particular area .It means then we save farmers from effects of climate change which affect them during the time of that particular system" . "Revamping weather stations is currently on. We want to match World Class Automatic Weather Stations (AWS) .It is therefore important to set up digital instruments in all parts of the country. This goes hand in hand with monitoring and evaluation in order to keep touch with new patterns of developments. At the same time we are in a position to control disasters as early as possible". In line with new developments the country is upgrading upper air stations and airports. AWS is modern component of instruments which help access or measure current conditions and transmit this Information to central server where it can be used to forecast weather. Information will soon be on met website. The country is currently working on establishment and operalisation of the national framework for weather and climate services, NFWCS,. The framework aims at co- production of tailor made area and sector specific weather and climate services .Priority sectors are Agriculture, food security, water, aviation, Tourism and Health.