Rwanda has launched a centre of regulation laboratories to collect data to enhance understanding of weather patterns, river flows, and air quality, and “improve the country’s capacity to forecast extreme events and respond swiftly to natural disasters.” Some extreme weather events include heat waves, heavy downpours, floods, tornadoes, tropical cyclones and others. ALSO READ: Forecaster warns of floods in parts of the country Some of the services to monitor the events were being outsourced according to a statement released on September 14, 2023. The laboratories for meteorology, hydrology and air quality monitoring equipment feature cutting-edge instruments, advanced technology, and a team of highly skilled scientists and technicians. The centre will enable Rwanda to regulate, validate, and maintain a vast network of weather stations, hydrological sensors, and air quality monitoring devices across the nation. Meteorology is the branch of science concerned with the processes and phenomena of the atmosphere, especially as a means of forecasting the weather. ALSO READ: Rwanda set to roll out ‘flood sensors’ to mitigate disasters “Sending meteorology sensors as well as other sensors outside Rwanda was not only posing a risk of damage to those sensors, it was also costing unnecessary additional cost to Rwanda. Apart from calibration fees, there was a cost for transportation and insurance to each sensor sent outside Rwanda to be calibrated,” said Aimable Gahigi, Director General of Rwanda Meteorology Agency. ALSO READ: Meteo Rwanda names districts at risk of heavy rains Calibration ensures that instruments used for weather, hydrology, and air quality measurements provide accurate and reliable data, which is critical for various sectors, including agriculture, public health, disaster management, and environmental protection. The laboratory will support Rwanda's commitment to building a resilient and environmentally sustainable future by enhancing data accuracy, improving decision-making in various sectors, promoting sustainable development, and contributing to global efforts to address climate change and environmental challenges. “As we stand at the threshold of a future charged with environmental challenges, it is crucial that we equip the country with the tools and knowledge necessary to anticipate them effectively. This calibration centre represents a giant leap forward in our ability to monitor, predict, and respond to meteorological, hydrological, and air quality phenomena,” noted the Minister of State for Environment, Claudine Uwera. She added: “In an era where climate change poses an existential threat to our planet, this calibration centre is our commitment to understanding and mitigating its effects. By ensuring the accuracy of our monitoring instruments, we pave the way for more precise climate models, which are essential for informed climate policymaking.” She noted that if climate projections do not adequately represent local climate conditions, potential predicted impacts could be biased, and proposed adaptation strategies would be inappropriate, which can increase losses and damages without counting the time and resources wasted in implementing ineffective measures. The centre, officials said, will inform national adaptation planning in Rwanda.“It will help plan, fund, implement, and monitor climate change adaptation solutions. Meteorology, hydrology, and air quality are inextricably linked to the health and well-being of our planet and its inhabitants. They play pivotal roles in agriculture, industry, public health, disaster management, and policymaking. Accurate data and precise measurements are the bedrock of informed decision-making, and this calibration centre will be the cornerstone for such measurements,” said Faustin Munyazikwiye, Deputy Director General, Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA).
