Luanda: The second phase of the Modernization Project of the National Institute of Meteorology and Geophysics (INAMET), scheduled to begin this year, is set to implement an early warning system designed to report the impacts of various phenomena at specific locations. This announcement was made by Joo Afonso, the general director of INAMET, in conjunction with World Meteorology Day celebrations. According to Angola Press News Agency, Joo Afonso emphasized that the 'Impact Based Forecasting' system will integrate data such as topography, population density, and infrastructure. This technological advancement follows directives from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) to establish early warning systems worldwide to handle calamity issues effectively. The initiative aims to better protect the population against extreme atmospheric phenomena by offering detailed forecasts about potential impacts such as flooding, landslides, and infrastructure damage. Joo Afonso further mentioned that family farming in A ngola will be significantly impacted by this modernization phase. Agrometeorological stations and agricultural management systems will be installed to guide farmers in selecting the most suitable crops for each season, based on meteorological forecasts. The phase will also enhance maritime forecasting capabilities with the installation of coastal stations and ocean buoys, thereby improving the current weather forecast model for the sea. From a geophysical perspective, Angola will soon have 11 seismic stations, bolstered by four new pieces of equipment donated by the South Korean Government. This development marks a significant geophysical gain and is expected to contribute to Angola's development, particularly in civil construction. By the end of 2027, an additional ten stations are planned, totaling at least 21 seismic stations. The general director expressed concerns over the low level of meteorological literacy in the country, advocating for increased investment to enhance public understanding of meteoro logical information. To address this, INAMET, in collaboration with MINTTICS, is developing a lecture program targeting primary and secondary schools, with future expansion to higher education institutions. The objective is to educate children about atmospheric phenomena and weather forecasts, enabling them to communicate this knowledge effectively to their communities. World Meteorology Day, observed annually on March 23rd, underscores the importance of continuous climate monitoring for safeguarding lives, property, and the planet's future. Established by the WMO in 1950, this day marks the adoption of the Convention that formed the organization. For 2026, the WMO has chosen the theme 'Observe Today, Protect Tomorrow,' underscoring the critical role of meteorological observations and information sharing. In Angola, these responsibilities are managed by INAMET, under the supervision of the Ministry of Telecommunications, Information Technology, and Social Communication.
