HRC Supports Initial Planning Meeting for Fiji Flash Flood Guidance System Implementation and Provides Initial Training Session for the Use of Radar Data in Flash-Flood Prediction

HRC participated in the initial planning meeting for the development and implementation of a flash flood guidance system for Fiji.  The meeting was held at the Fiji Meteorological Service in Nadi, Fiji on the 12th and 13th of November 2018. In attendance were representatives of the Fiji Meteorological Service and Disaster Management Office as well as the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).  The meeting provided an overview of the components of the flash flood guidance system, discussed and developed a work plan for the implementation of the system (FijiFFGS), provided simulation training for forecasters and disaster managers, and paved the way for close collaboration between the Fiji Meteorological Service and The National Disaster Management Office for effective flash flood warning and response for the Fiji Islands.  The FijiFFGS is funded by the Climate Risk Early Warning System (CREWS) Initiative and Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), and implemented by the WMO, with HRC the technical developer.

Following the initial planning meeting and on the 15th and 16th of November 2018, a session was held for forecasters and disaster managers on the use of radar data for quantitative flood and flash flood prediction. HRC provided initial radar data analysis training and collaborated with Fiji Meteorological Service staff for the radar data inclusion in the FijiFFGS.

The Fiji implementation is part of the Global Flash Flood Guidance program which currently provides access to real-time guidance products to forecasters in over 60 countries worldwide. These products pertain to the threat of potential small-scale flash flooding over large regions with high resolution. The system provides the necessary products to support development of warnings for precipitation-induced flash floods.

for additional information, please see articles from WMO and the United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction.