Applications

1. Agrometeorology
2. Hydrometeorology
3. Disaster management
4. Environmental Meteorology

1. Agrometeorology

The purpose of the Agrometeorology sub-section is to support and provide advisories to agricultural production and food security activities in the country. The sub-section assists stakeholders in provision of meteorological and related services to the agricultural community to help develop sustainable and economically viable agricultural systems, improve production and quality, reduce losses and risks, labour and energy, and decrease costs.

Although sometimes combined, climate information is used mainly for planning purposes, while recent weather data and weather forecasts are used mostly in current agricultural operations.

• In the beginning of the major cropping season (summer), the section studies the seasonal weather forecast provided by the Weather Office and interprets it for farming communities. Advisories on the likelihood of the season are then given to all relevant farming sectors.
• Monitoring of Crop performance in relation to prevailing weather is done during the progress of the season. This is studying the crop water balance during different phonological stages of the crop development. Update of the seasonal forecast in the mid-season is made.
• Production forecast towards the end of cropping season is done. This is done using several indicators derived from the tools available.

1. The farming communities
2. Ministry of Agriculture and Food Securiy
3. Disaster Management Authority (DMA)
4. Ministry of Environment
5. UN agencies (FAO, WFP)
6. World Agricultural Meteorology Information System (WAMIS)
7. Non-Governmental Organisations
8. SADC Drought Monitoring Center, Harare
9. SADC Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources

• Dekadal Bulletin
• Monthly Update

2. Hydrometeorology

The Hydromet Section monitors water resources related activities in relation to weather and climate. It improves and encourages integration of meteorological and hydrological observation networks in order to facilitate research and have clear understanding of the country’s hydrology in the major catchments of the country.

• The seasonal weather forecast is studied each time and advisories are supplied to all relevant sectors of the likelihood of the season and possible impacts on the water resources.
• The rainfall in the major river catchments of the country is observed throughout the year.
• Flood and drought forecasting management, climate variability and its impacts on water resources.
• Practical implementation of IWRM principles with particular attention to integrated flood management.

During the dry season of spring, a particular emphasis is put on monitoring the Mohokare river catchment. This is the river used by Water And Sewage COmpany (WASCO) to the majority of its cliens. Lesotho’s textile industries get water from.

1. Department of Water Affairs (DWA)
2. Department of Rural Water Supply (DRWS)
3. Water Commission
4. Water And Sewage Company (WASCO)
5. Lesotho Highlands Development Authoriy (LHDA)
6. Non-Governmental Organisations

3. Disaster Management

Livelihoods in Lesotho depend on crop and livestock production which are vulnerable to the erratic nature of weather events due to orography and topography, the shallow soils and spatial and temporal precipitation performance . Lesotho possesses an extremely fragile ecosystem whose vulnerabilities are promoted by the terrain of the land.

Majority of the society derives their livelihoods from the rain-fed agriculture which is at threat of increasing levels due to climate variability that brings different forms of drought, floods, heavy snowfalls and any other forms of weather related hazards. Presently, about three-quarters of all natural disasters being related to weather, climate and water and their extremes, Lesotho is more vulnerable to natural disasters of which drought is prominent.

• The seasonal weather forecast is studied each time and advisories are supplied to all relevant sectors of the likelihood of the season and possible impacts on the water resources.
• Issue warnings of upcoming hazardous weather phenomenon.
• Participate in different food security assessments with other stakeholders.
• Undertake studies to determine more the climate uncertainties.

4. Environmental Meteorology

The environment is greatly influenced by the weather elements. Thus provision of timely information to environmentalists is very vital always. There is a high level of climate variability in Lesotho and that often promotes land degradation primarily due to lengthy dry spells that are often accompanied by rains that sweep away top soil.

Thus the biodiversity, which forms an integral part of the environment, is often compromised by climate. Knowing the current weather and future likely patterns of the same always helps in maintaining the rangelands and containing all the elements that can endanger the physical environment. Thus with the following activities, the section helps in sustaining the environment as well as the biodiversity.

• The weather related advisories are always supplied to the environmentalists all season.
• The Normalised Difference Vegetation Indices (NDVI) are used to monitor the general vegetation during the year.
• The trends of environmental response mainly due to climate variability are studied