A collaborative project involving South African and international universities has received funding to develop an AI-powered early warning system for extreme weather events in KwaZulu-Natal. The system, named Weather, aims to protect both people and wildlife by providing timely alerts for floods, storms, and wildfires. The project will initially focus on the municipalities of eThekwini and Ugu, with the potential for nationwide expansion.
This collaborative endeavour brings together the expertise of the University of KwaZulu-Natal , the University of the West of Scotland , the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, and the University of Portsmouth.
"Climate change is not a distant concept. It is an undeniable reality in South Africa and especially in KZN," remarked Chuturgoon. Professor Mary Lynch from RCSI/UWS expressed gratitude to the NIHR for their support, stating,"After the, we initiated conversations about the best solution to address the needs of communities, particularly here in Durban." She noted the value of engaging with community members to understand their priorities and requirements.
Geoff Tooley, who recently retired from eThekwini Municipality, said that this system has been developed with a settlement in Quarry Road where 400 dwellings were washed away during the 2022 floods.
Disaster Relief AI Early Warning System Climate Change Extreme Weather Kwazulu-Natal
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