Strengthening Preparedness for Natural Disasters
In a significant move to bolster the nation's readiness for potential natural disasters, Morocco's Minister of Equipment and Water, Nizar Baraka, announced the expansion of weather alert bulletins to all 1,503 local authorities within the country. This initiative, revealed during a session in the House of Representatives, aims to enhance the collective response to environmental hazards, ensuring that local governments are well-equipped to handle emergencies effectively.
Baraka elaborated on the ministry's efforts to improve disaster preparedness by indicating the establishment of a comprehensive meteorological observation network, which now includes 243 automated weather stations across the nation. To improve the precision of weather forecasts, the duration of public weather outlooks has been adjusted from a week-long seven-day forecast to a more immediate three-day forecast. Additionally, the early warning period has been extended from 24 hours to 36 hours, allowing for more timely updates and alerts.
Local council presidents are now receiving daily weather forecasts via SMS, ensuring that they have access to critical information that can help them make informed decisions during adverse weather conditions. Furthermore, the Moroccan government has introduced the digital platform vigilance.ma, which offers detailed weather alerts and risk assessment maps. In collaboration with the Ministry of the Interior, there are plans to implement a system that will send SMS warnings directly to residents in areas identified as at risk from natural hazards.
Baraka also mentioned ongoing efforts to establish a national meteorological agency alongside a specialized climate agency. These developments are geared towards enhancing Morocco's preparedness and improving the data necessary to tackle climate-related risks more effectively.
As reported by en.yabiladi.com.
