Capacity building for efficient forecasting of potential weather hazards

In order to strengthen the capacity for forecasting of potential weather hazards, a training on forecasting and early warning system was organised in Podgorica, from 8 to 10 April. The training was attended by 27 representative of the institutes of hydrometeorology and other related institutions from Montenegro and Albania. During three-day training, the participants could learn about global and regional models of numerical weather forecasting, contemporary climate changes, climate indices, the function of forecasting materials in announcing potential weather hazards, meteoalarm and similar. In addition to improving the knowledge, the aim of the training was enable exchange of experience and strengthening of cooperation between professionals dealing with this field from the two countries.

At the end of the previous year, a new equipment for forecasting of weather hazards was procured for the Institute for Hydrometeorology and Seismology of Montenegro, which improved the early warning system related to natural hazards, of meteorological and hydrological origin. Efficient functioning of the meteorological and hydrological network in Montenegro and timely informing of the competent bodies of the possibilities of meteorological and hydrological hazards of a bigger scope, enable readiness of the protection and rescue system for fast and adequate response.

The training was organised within the project Disasters do not know borders which has the aim to strengthening capacities of institutions and services from Montenegro and Albania dealing with protection and rescue for disaster risk reduction, as well as raising awareness of the local population on the risks of floods.

Two-year project whose implementation started on 17 April 2018 is implemented in Montenegro and Albania, and its main activities include procurement of equipment for protection from floods and weather forecasting, trainings for representatives of institutions and services dealing with protection and rescue and emergency management, cross-border field exercises, updating of the databases on floods in the region of Shkodra Lake, seminar on best EU practice in flood protection, awareness raising campaign on the risks of floods, preventive measures and protection and rescue activities, etc. The target region includes the municipalities of Podgorica, Bar and Ulcinj in Montenegro and the region of Shkodra in Albania.

The project is implemented in partnership with the Directorate for Emergency Management of the Ministry of Interior of Montenegro and the Prefecture of Shkodra from Albania.

The project is financed by the European Union through Cross-border Cooperation Programme Montenegro-Albania 2014-2020.