ICIMOD workshop on rainfall forecasting underway

With the objective to improve the estimation of rainfall in this region for purposes of improved forecasting of floods and monitoring of droughts using advanced remote sensing tools, the technical experts of national hydrological and meteorological services in Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Nepal, and Pakistan have begun a five-day workshop on the 'Application of Satellite Rainfall Estimation in the Hindu Kush-Himalayan (HKH) region'.

The workshop that began in the capital on Monday will run for five days. According to the organizer, International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), technical experts from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and US Geological Survey (USGS) are being brought in as key resource persons for the workshop.

The workshop is a part of a project on Application of Satellite Rainfall Estimation in the HKH region, which aims to develop a satellite rainfall estimate (SRE) model specifically for the Himalayan region by refining a system developed by NOAA Climate Prediction Centre, and to test a stream-flow model developed by USGS to stem the effects of chronic flooding in the Greater Himalayan region.

The five-day workshop aims to review and discuss work on SRE, particularly the validation of rainfall estimates, testing of the USGS stream-flow model in pilot catchments, further strengthen the SRE capability of member countries and transfer the NOAA/USGS technology to the partners.

This workshop will also review the work done so far, provide inputs for finalising the SRE country reports, and plan for the Phase II of the Project. The organizers expressed hope that improved rainfall estimates will further enable reliable and timely flood forecasts and warning and contribute to minimising loss of life and property in the region. nepalnews.com ia Oct 02 07