KATHMANDU: With warm days and heat-related events on the rise due to climate change, emphasis has been placed on the need for sustainable and effective implementation of weather forecasting based on such impact.

Statistics on the increase in hot days and heat-related events due to climate change were presented at the national workshop on impact-based forecasting for heat-related conditions in Nepal organized in the federal capital today.

Meteorologist Sanjeev Adhikari of the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology said that the impact-based weather and temperature forecasts issued by the Department have started having a positive impact on public awareness and preparedness.

Likewise, meteorologist Rojan Lamichhane said that the impact-based weather forecasting system will be further promoted by including how the impact of temperature on people’s lives and property will be addressed.

Representative of Gaur Municipality Roshni Kumari Shrestha said that Gaur Municipality has been implementing impact-based forecasting, early warning and early action at the local level since 2076 BS by implementing the emergency operation procedure.

Shrestha said that public awareness is necessary to protect citizens from heat waves, as ensuring effective understanding of warnings is still a challenge.

Under Secretary at the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, Ram Bahadur KC, said that heat waves are intensifying globally due to climate change.