Early Warning System launched in Fuvahmulah

A Multi-Hazard Early Warning System has been set up in Fuvahmulah for disaster preparedness. 

The project is led by Ministry of Homeland Security and Technology. The project falls under the Digital Maldives for Adaptation, Decentralization and Diversification run through World Bank assistance. 

In a ceremony held to inaugurate the system, State Minister for Homeland Security and Technology Dr Mohamed Kinaanath said that countries such as the Maldives are at risk of natural disasters due to climate change, leading to rising sea levels and higher prevalence of swell waves and erosion. He said that these incidents pose a threat to Maldivians and their way of life. 

The system being set up in Fuvahmulah was developed in collaboration with UK's Salford University.

Kinaanath said that the system will facilitate preventive action in the face of natural disasters, as opposed to reactive action. 

"This is not just a technological advancement. This is also a new way to protect our communities. This is way for multiple institutes to work together and gather real-time data and conduct regional risk profiling," he said. 

Kinaanath said that the first phase of the project involves advanced forecasting models, warning systems and resources to make a decision in the face of an incident.

He said that although this is a pilot system at this time, it has been designed to allow future expansion and upgrading. He said that the national plan on natural disaster preparedness has been compiled with input from digital innovations and decentralization. 

Kinaanath said that this project facilitates monitoring climate change through new technology as included in Maldives 2.0 announced by President Dr Mohamed Muizzu.