The University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) is collaborating with international partners to develop a groundbreaking early warning system for extreme weather events. This initiative is driven by the devastating impact of recent natural disasters in South Africa and aims to provide communities with timely and accurate information to mitigate the risks associated with climate-induced disasters.
The University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) is spearheading the development of a groundbreaking early-warning system for extreme weather events. This initiative stems from the devastating impact of natural disasters in the province, such as the deadly April 2022 floods, which garnered international attention from researchers and funding agencies.
The project is a multi-partner collaboration involving the University of the West of Scotland, the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland’s faculty of nursing and midwifery, and the University of Portsmouth. It has received a £2.2 million grant from the UK’s National Institute for Health and Care Research, a significant investment deemed a “transformative step” in safeguarding lives and strengthening communities against the escalating threats of “climate-induced disasters”.Acting deputy vice-chancellor of research and innovation at UKZN, Anil Chuturgoon, emphasized the project’s ambition, stating, “Together, we are transforming innovative ideas into actionable solutions. This initiative is more than just a response to climate change. It is a commitment to a safer, healthier and more resilient future.” He further underscored the project’s potential, declaring, “The weather project is a beacon of hope, a demonstration of how science and technology, when combined with community engagement, can mitigate the impact of a changing climate.” The project’s inception was spurred by Mary Lynch, a representative from the University of the West of Scotland and the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland. Witnessing the devastating aftermath of the April 2022 floods, which claimed over 400 lives and caused an estimated R17 billion in damages, she reached out to Professor Saloshni Naidoo, the head of public health medicine at UKZN, to discuss a grant opportunity. This collaboration led to a successful application for the grant, paving the way for the development and implementation of the advanced early-warning system. Dr. David Ndzi, representing the University of Portsmouth, outlined the system’s core functionality. It will leverage a high-tech model already in use in Malaysia, incorporating a user-friendly phone app that provides localized weather predictions. This app will utilize machine learning to analyze current rainfall patterns, enabling more accurate forecasts compared to traditional methods relying on data from 10 to 15 years ago.The system will address a key limitation of conventional weather forecasting: its lack of high-resolution data to predict localized rainfall. By deploying inexpensive devices measuring temperature, humidity, and atmospheric pressure at various locations, the system can generate highly specific rainfall predictions for each area. This granular data will allow for better understanding of potential flooding risks in specific rivers or residential areas. Further enhancing the system’s effectiveness, researchers are employing artificial intelligence (AI) to predict rainfall intensity and the likelihood of flooding. This proactive approach aims to provide communities with sufficient advance warning to take precautionary measures, minimizing property damage and loss of life. The collaborative effort between researchers and the eThekwini municipality will prioritize the needs of vulnerable communities across KwaZulu-Natal, ensuring equitable access to this life-saving technology.
Early Warning System Climate Change Extreme Weather Artificial Intelligence Community Engagement South Africa
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