19 November 2013
DOST installs weather forecasting equipment in ARMM
Cotabato City – The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) launched Monday the Nationwide Overall Assessment Hazards (NOAH) project in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) as part of the country’s disaster preparedness program.
Project NOAH involves the installation of 36 weather stations in strategic locations across the region.
Myrah Alih, DOST-ARMM secretary, said the stations will be equipped with advanced hydro-meteorological (hydromet) devices, hybrid automated weather station, wind monitoring system, automated rain gauges and water level monitoring system.
She said the equipment will be used to gather data used in weather forecasting and also for long-term research particularly on climate related issues.
ARMM is composed of the provinces of Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.
Alih said the region serves as Project NOAH’s pilot area in Mindanao.
Twenty six of the 36 hydromets have already been turned over to the intended local government units, who will have to allocate 5 percent of their calamity fund for the security and maintenance of the weather equipment, according to Alih.
Phone and internet applications will also be made available for users to access information provided through Project NOAH, she said.
“The application is very sophisticated because it can show updated data every 15 minutes,” said Ali.
Meanwhile, the regional government welcomed the project, which Laisa Alamia, ARMM executive secretary, said would boost the emergency and disaster preparedness plan of the region.
“Project NOAH should provide us with crucial data that can help us manage the risks posed by weather related phenomena,” Alamia said. (Bureau of Public Information)
