Senior Rwandan official encourages radar engineers to maximise use of new Weather Radar System

Rwanda’s Minister of Environment, Vincent Biruta, has toured Maranyundo weather radar site and urged engineers undergoing a six weeks training course to maximise the use of the radar system. Doing so, he said, will support Meteo Rwanda to provide timely and accurate weather and climate information.

At Maranyundo, Minister Biruta was received by officials from Meteo Rwanda including the Director General, the Division Manager of Data Observation, Quality Control and Processing, the Acting Division Manager of Technology and Information Support Services among others. The manager of Rwanda Green Fund project that is funding the training was also in attendance.   

Minister Biruta said the Doppler Weather Radar system needs skilled staff to fully operate it and ensure proper calibration and maintenance. He encouraged the radar engineers to make the most of the training so that they can perform assignments independently.

“This radar system is crucial for the safety of the ever expanding fleet of RwandAir aircraft flying the skies of Rwanda and neighboring countries, as well as the rapidly growing air traffic from international carriers,” the Minister said.

The Director General of Meteo Rwanda, John Ntaganda Semafara,  said the institution is seeing improvements in weather forecasts based on radar derived data and that Rwandans will benefit significantly from tailored weather information generated by the radar system.  

“Meteorological services must be strengthened to service the new airport that is being constructed and we must be ready to serve all other sectors of our economy, from agriculture, health and disaster management to water resources management and energy,” Director General Semafara said.

The training to maximise the use of the country's sophisticated Doppler Weather Radar system installed at Maranyundo Hill in Bugesera District began on 4 October and continues until mid November.

The training is being conducted through the project ‘Strengthening Rwanda’s Weather and Climate Services to Support Development’, which is implemented by Meteo Rwanda and funded by the Rwanda Green Fund (FONERWA).

View photos from the Minister Biruta’s visit to the Maranyundo weather radar site here. 

 

Source: Rwanda Meteorology Agency