The Hydrometeorological Service of Guyana yesterday hosted the Ninth National Climate Outlook Forum (NCOF) virtually with the aim of sensitizing stakeholders in various climate sensitive sectors on the implications of the current wet season.
The NCOF serves as a key national platform for promoting dialogue and inter-agency coordination in responding to hydrometeorological hazards, climate variability, and extremes changes in local weather. It is expected to help the Hydrometeorological Service package climate information to the needs of the stakeholders and to communicate uncertainties in climate prediction.
Chief Hydrometeorological Officer, Dr. Garvin Cummings, in his brief remarks, elaborated the importance of providing critical weather and climate services to the various sectors to support the effective provision of goods and services by the various agencies.
“Weather and climate influences and affects every aspect of daily life and livelihoods. It is important for us to know what the upcoming season holds so that we can properly plan and deliver the various services we provide to the public” Dr. Cummings explained.
He emphasized that it is important to understand that as the predictions are provided, the weather and climate are not static, but they are always experiencing change. As a result, all the representatives were encouraged to keep up to date with the daily and seasonal bulletins; and updates produced by the National Weather Watch Center and the Climatology Department of the Service.
Specialist Meteorologist, Mr. Komalchand Dhiram, during his presentation, reported that wetter than usual conditions can be expected throughout the December to February season. Additionally, extreme wet spells remain possible throughout the period leading to concerns of flash flood potential in Guyana. There is a heightened risk of these conditions prevailing given the presence of a moderate La Nina.
Mr. Dhiram pointed out that an increase in the number of wet days and wet spells coupled with high tides could lead to water accumulation in Coastal Regions and as such suggested that the execution of drainage interventions continue in order to manage the forecasted rainfall.
Mr. Dhiram also noted that consideration should also be given to planting crops that are water tolerant during the forecast period.
Among the stakeholders present were the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA), the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB), the Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI) and the Environmental Protection Agency Guyana (EPA).
