RA I/TCC-XVIII/Doc. 6.2(2), p. 1

WORLD METEOROLOGICAL ORGANIZATION
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RA I TROPICAL CYCLONE COMMITTEE
FOR THE SOUTH-WEST INDIAN OCEAN
EIGHTEENTH SESSION
LILONGWE, MALAWI
6 TO 10 OCTOBER 2008 / RA I/TCC-XVIII/Doc. 6.2(2)
(12.IX.2008)
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ITEM 6.2
Original: ENGLISH

REVIEW OF THE TECHNICAL PLAN AND ITS IMPLEMENTATION PROGRAMME

Members’ Activities

Report from Lesotho

1.Meteorological component

Lesotho has one synoptic station mainly Maseru (68454) that reports and transmit 12 hours daily. A plan is to revive two other stations Mokhotlong (68452), and Qacha’s nek (68456) to operate at least 12 hours daily. Communication which is via a two-way radio with the two stations 68452 and 68456 poses a challenge especially in bad weather when there is loss of signal leading to communication breakdown.

An Automatic Weather Station (AWS) which was installed at Moshoeshoe I International Airport (Maseru) is currently not operational due to lack of capacity to maintain its components. A plan is underway to maintain the existing AWS at Moshoeshoe I International Airport (MIA) so that it operates 24 hours daily. It is also anticipated to upgrade and install Automatic Weather Stations at Qacha’s nek (68456) and Mokhotlong 68452) so that they too can operate 24 hours.

Equipment

Lesotho Meteorological Services acquired MSG satellite receiving station (PUMA) in 2005. Since early this year (2008) the station has not been fully operational due to hardware failure. PCGRIDDS have also been in use and lately the Software for the Utilization for Meteorological Outlook (SUMO) has been added for use by forecasters as one of the forecasting tools.

Telecommunications

Lesotho is linked to the RTH in Pretoria by a TCP/IP [64 kbits/s] line and internet.

2.Meteorological Satellites

The MSG satellite receiving station (PUMA) has been installed at the Weather Office at Moshoeshoe I International Airport although not fully operational due to hardware failure.

3.Hydrological component

Lesotho Meteorological Services work in close collaboration with the water sector (Department of Water Affairs) and provide advisories related to weather, water and climate. A committee has been formed to facilitate exchange and dissemination of Hydro-meteorological information. Moreover and emergency water release committee has been formulated to deal with weather and water related issues.

4. Disaster risk reduction component

Lesotho Meteorological Services is a member of the Disaster Management Authority Coordination Committee and its role is to issue warnings and advisories well in time; to coordinate and monitor the implementation of the sectorial preparedness, mitigation, response/relieve and recovery measures and to give regular sectorial progress reports to the Executive and brief the nation and the media during a disaster- induced emergency and the recovery phase.

5.Training

Lesotho has benefited from the RAI Training Courses on Tropical Cyclones and Workshops on Public Weather Services held previously in St. Denis, La Reunion in 2001 and 2006 and again in Melbourne, Australia in 2007. Basic skills were acquired and experience has been gained through participation in these kinds of courses and workshops. Upon return from the workshops and training the participants engage in impacting the knowledge they acquired to fellow forecasters by holding internal workshops and seminars.

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