Zimbabwe's weather stations need modernizing

Jeff Gogo in the Herald (Zimbabwe): National climate and weather systems are changing, fast; faster than Zimbabwe can cope. Targets for combating damage from climate change catastrophes are sorely inadequate. Climate finance for mitigation and adaptation is weak due to a national financial crisis, yet the need is greater for rapid action.

Whereas an efficient and well- resourced weather and climate services system is important in designing relevant policy responses to rising climate risks, the local meteorology unit is not, and needs more capacity for it to adequately and efficiently fulfil this role.

...Speaking to The Herald Business, as Zimbabwe celebrated the World Meteorological Day on March 23, MSD director Dr Amos Makarau said meteorology in the country was "facing several challenges, which include aged equipment and shortage of personnel".

The situation was serious. Equipment used at some stations is believed to be 100 years old or more. The earliest weather stations in Zimbabwe were set up at Harare and Bulawayo very early in the 20th century. However, corrective measures were now being taken....