| Siti Hajar |
THE past four-and-a-half decades has seen an annual average temperature increase of 0.6 degree Celsius in Brunei based on records dating back to 1970 until 2014.
In a speech delivered yesterday to mark World Meteorological Day 2016 celebrations held at the Ministry of Communications, Dato Paduka Awang Haji Mustappa bin Haji Sirat explained that the phenomenon is linked to climate change that has affected dozens of countries around the world.
Over the past decade from 2005 to 2014, the Minister of Communications also explained that annual total rainfall in the Sultanate has also increased.
In January 2009, the Brunei International Airport recorded a total of 977 millimetres of rainfall, noting a three-fold annual average increase compared to 50 years ago.
With this year’s theme being ‘Hotter, Drier, Wetter – Face the Future,’ the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) lays special emphasis on the safety of future generations that focusses on climate change that has been described as a global concern.
“Climate change has affected the seasonal weather pattern and has intensified events of extreme weather such as heat waves and heavy rain. These continued changes are expected to transform the future of global weather into becoming hotter, drier and wetter,” lamented the minister whilst adding that these changes will pose challenges to the people’s day-to-day living.
Last year, 108 early weather warnings were issued to the public.
Minister of Communications Dato Paduka Awang Haji Mustappa bin Haji Sirat inspects the Theodolite, a surveying instrument with a rotating telescope for measuring horizontal and vertical angles. – BAHYIAH BAKIR
In a neighbouring country, the decision was made to close a number of schools in the wake of a heat wave with sustained temperatures of over 37 degree Celsius.
Citing a number of examples where erratic weather patterns have resulted in floods, drought and reduction in rainfall, the minister stressed that, “We must be made aware of the necessary steps that need to be taken to overcome the implications and effects of climate change.”
The WMO, explained the minister, stresses that the next decade will see continued changes in global weather due to the increase of global greenhouse gases and research indicates that the increase of these gases, unless controlled, will result in the reduction of Global GDP Per Capita by as much as 23 per cent.
At present, it was explained that the country’s Meteorological Department is working with Universiti Brunei Darussalam, among other regional and international agencies, in the field of climate modelling aimed at predictions as well as scenarios of climate change in the country.
The results, he said, will assist relevant agencies in planning and taking action in overcoming the effects of weather phenomenon’s, while the ministry will play its role in delivering the country’s commitment at the international level in relation to global climate change.
In 2015, the Secretary-General of the World Meteorological Organisation stressed the importance of meteorological and climatology science in improving accuracy and effectiveness of weather predictions as well as seasonal climates and as a result of this call the field of remote sensing such as weather and satellite radars, improving super computers and increased understanding of weather and climate, have been realised – including initiatives made by the Brunei Darussalam Meteorological Department.
Since its establishment two years ago, the Meteorological Department has made investments in capacity building especially in the aspects of weather monitoring, management systems and improving human resources as well as introducing new services such as the colour-coded weather warning.
The improvement of these services, “Will make it easier for stakeholders in carrying out their responsibilities and conducting their respective activities as well as increasing their preparedness in the event of weather-related incidences.”
At the same time, these improvement measures will also enable the general public to make informed decisions be it in relation to sports, recreation or when carrying out housework.
In commending the Meteorological Department, the minister encouraged it as a unit to present itself as an agency that is approachable and proactive in understanding public needs.
“The use of social media, the Brunei Weather application are among the initiatives that can be further developed in line with the Ministry of Communications’ priority adopting customer-focussed strategies,” the minister added.
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