Experimental Climate Monitoring and Prediction for Maldives – May 2015

HIGHLIGHTS

In April 2015 less than average monthly rainfall was observed throughout the Maldives. Usually the rainfall is high in April and the relatively high rainfall in the first two weeks in northern and southern islands was not sufficient to put this above the long-term average. The first week of May saw more than 100 mm rainfall in northern and southern islands and low rainfall in the central islands. The cumulative deficit of rainfall for the past year shows about 25% below normal for the northern islands and close to normal for the southern and central islands. The NOAA CFS models predict up to 50 mm in the next few from 20-25th May. A clean El Nino has onset in the Maldives and this coupled with the warmer Indian Ocean shall lead to warmer months in the next six months. The Central and Northern Islands are likely to have a dry tendency for the next four months followed by a wet tendency from October to December.

Below average rainfall observed in the entire country in March 2015

 Printable Version of the Full Report (PDF)

---------------------------Inside this Issue------------------------

1. Monthly Climatology
2. Rainfall Monitoring
1. Daily Satellite derived Rainfall Estimates
   
2. Monthly Rainfall derived from Satellite Rainfall Estimate
3. Monthly and Seasonal Monitoring
3. Ocean Surface Monitoring
4. Rainfall Predictions
1. Weekly Predictions from NOAA/NCEP
2. Seasonal Predictions from IRI
   

Internship Report of Mr. Yoosuf Ashraj at Renewable Energy Maldives

By Yoosuf Ashraj

Mr Yoosuf Ashraj at Hulhumale

View of  Male city from the Male Jetty

I travelled to the Maldives as an Intern from the Foundation for Environment, Climate and Technology (FECT) at Renewable Energy Maldives (REM). This internship was arranged by FECT for the-Masters in (Sustainable) Development Practice from the University of Peradeniya. Since one of the students pulled out during the last minute, I had the opportunity to join Mr. K. Wijeratne who was undertaking a separate internship. I undertook preparatory work before and after and visited Male from 15^th to 21^st April 2013.

Internship Report on the status of Fresh Water and the Environment in the Greater Male, Maldives, by Mr. K. Wijeratne at FECT

By: K. Wijeratne

Master of Development Practice, Department of Economics and Statistics, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka. 

Status of Waste disposal in Thilafushi Island

I undertook the three months internship of my Masters in Development Practice Degree, offered by the University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, at the Foundation for Environment, Climate and Technology (FECT), and I worked under the supervison of Dr. Lareef Zubair (Principal Scientist - Foundation of Environment and Climate Technology; & Visiting Lecturer - University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka).

2015 Southwest Monsoon Rainfall Outlook for the Maldives

2015 Southwest monsoon season (June to September) rainfall outlook for the Maldives was issued on 26th April at the First National Climate Outlook Forum (NCOF) hosted by Maldives Meteorological Service with the support from World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and Regional Integrated-Multi Hazard Early Warning System (RIMES). The forum was inaugurated by Mr. Thoriq Ibrahim, Minister for Environment and Energy. Different stakeholders attended NCOF.

Map above shows most likely categories of rainfall over South Asia. For the northern and central Maldives Below normal rainfall is expected during June to September 2015. On the other hand, above normal rainfall is expected for the southern parts of the Maldives during the same period. For more information and further updates on the southwest monsoon over the Maldives, Maldives Meteorological Service can be consulted.

Source: Maldives Meteorological Services. www.meteorology.gov.mv

Over MVR6m needed to provide water to 97 islands

By Minivan News

The disaster management centre estimates that about MVR6.5 million (US$421,530) will be spent this year to provide clean water to 97 islands due to persisting shortages.