Lyna Mohamad
Brunei Darussalam is not exempted from climate change. A study by the Brunei Darussalam Meteorological Department (BDMD) showed that the annual rainfall has been increasing, at a rate of 110 millimetres (mm) every 10 years while air temperature up by two-three degree Celsius every 10 years, which is one-fifth of a degree Celsius in 50 years.
The study also showed an increase in extreme weather events with the frequency of heavy rain exceeding 40mm at a rate of 1.4 days every 10 years, while temperature of 35 degrees Celsius or more is at a rate of 0.69 days every 10 years.
These statistics were shared by BDMD’s Acting Director Rokiah binti Haji Angas in her welcoming remarks at the opening ceremony of BDMD’s Weather Radar Building and launch of the new Doppler Weather Surveillance Radar monitoring system and equipment yesterday.
As a member of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the Sultanate joins other countries to celebrate the World Meteorological Day to commemorate the establishment and implementation of the WMO convention.
Themed ‘The Future of Weather, Climate and Water Across Generations’, this year’s celebration cautions that weather, climate and water conditions are expected to be different in the future which can be linked to climate change. Implemented under the 11th National Development Plan, the new monitoring system aims to strengthen BDMD’s ability to monitor and analyse weather developments in ‘real time’ and improve the accuracy of weather forecasts and the issuance of timely weather warnings.
The acting director said, “This can certainly support BDMD’s responsibility as a government agency that provides information and early weather warnings, for stakeholders such as aviation, defence, security and fishermen.”
She added that the Brunei WX mobile app recently added new features such as tides data on Brunei River and air quality in all four districts, made possible by collaboration efforts with the Survey Department and the Environment and Recreation Department, at the Ministry of Development.
