Azlan Othman
April expects to see an above normal amount of rainfall, exceeding 34mm.
This was revealed during the virtual weather forum titled ‘Early Warning and Early Action For Stronger Resilience’ to mark World Meteorological Day 2022 yesterday.
The panel members comprised Brunei Darussalam Meteorological Department (BDMD) meteorological officer Nurulinani binti Haji Jahari, National Disaster Management Center (NDMC) disaster management officer Awangku Muhammad Naaim Syafii bin Pengiran Haji Besman and disaster preparedness coordinators (DPC) member Mohamad Sufhidin bin Mohamad Sufian.
The amount of rainfall is expected to be at the normal level of 210mm-310mm in May and 190-290mm in June.
The monsoon transition period also expects to see frequent thunderstorm activities with the risk of flash floods, slippery road conditions and lightning strikes.
The forum included a presentation on the Inter-Monsoon season, which is expected to start earlier than expected.
It was highlighted that the increase in disasters is due to changing climate, population growth, and urbanisation, exposing more and more people and economic assets to hydrometeorological hazards. The saddest part of this is that these disasters claim countless lives annually, despite early warnings being issued.
“People tend to underestimate the seriousness of weather warnings. There is a lack of appreciation and understanding of the impacts. An accurate and timely weather warning does not guarantee safety of lives,” the members pointed out.
For this reason, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has recommended impact-based forecast and warning to be implemented and practiced by national meteorological and hydrological services globally.
Impact-based forecasting involves combining information on hazards, exposure and vulnerability to identify potential impacts and support decision-making.
Long-term forecast information is very important for the initial preparation of the agencies concerned if necessary. For example, if rainfall is expected to increase above the usual amount due to La-Nina conditions, then the agencies and public can make early preparations to face potential floods.
Brunei Darussalam is affected by two types of monsoon cycles – Northeast Monsoon and Southwest Monsoon. Between these two monsoons, the Sultanate experiences the monsoon transition period.
The panellists pointed out, “As we approach the end of March, we can already feel the presence of the monsoon transition period where we experience thunderstorm weather conditions – especially in the evening into the night. The onset of the inter-monsoon is a little early this year.
This transition period is expected to continue until May. The onset of Southwest monsoon is expected to occur around June or possibly late May.
“Around June, the Southwest monsoon is expected to begin, with winds from the southwest becoming more dominant. So the weather will typically move from Miri area and affect Belait District first, before spreading to the districts of Tutong, Brunei-Muara and then Temburong.
Often, there is rain with strong winds, called squally weather. June is also usually the beginning of an active typhoon system.”
World Meteorological Day is marked every March 23 to commemorate the enforcement of the WMO convention in 1950. The celebration also recognises the National Meteorological and Hydrological Service’s contribution to the safety and well -being of communities. Each year, the World Meteorological Day celebration focusses on a theme chosen specifically by the WMO.
The forum aimed to further promote weather warnings and advisory issued by the Weather Forecast Centre and encourage cooperation as well as collaborative efforts between authorities and the community in dealing with natural disasters.
It also aimed to increase public awareness and knowledge of the existing standard operation procedure (SOP) carried out when a natural disaster strikes. Attendees included representatives from weather and climate services user groups, such as those from first and safety responders, economic and industry groups, construction companies, insurance companies, small and medium enterprises as well as the media.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Transport and Infocommunications Dato Seri Setia Awang Abdul Mutalib bin Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Setia Dato Paduka Haji Mohd Yusof attended an online mass recitation of Surah Yaasin and Tahlil held in conjunction with World Meteorological Day.
The afternoon event was followed by the reading of Doa Selamat and Doa seeking protection against COVID-19.
