Mohale’s Hoek, June 03 — The Head of Research and Innovation at the Lesotho Meteorological Services (LMS) and Coordinator of the National Impact-Based Forecasting (IBF) System, Mr. Moahloli Ntlele, says involving the media in future IBF training programmes will help ensure that weather forecasting information reaches communities on time.
Mr. Ntlele made the remarks during a five-day Impact-Based Forecasting workshop for disaster managers and weather forecasters currently underway in Mohale’s Hoek.
He said the inclusion of the media is important for effective dissemination of weather information, adding that the workshop aims to strengthen the transition from traditional weather forecasting to Impact-Based Forecasting while also introducing the Action-Based Forecasting (ABF) approach.
According to Mr. Ntlele, the initiative is intended to support anticipatory action, disaster preparedness and climate risk management in Lesotho.
He noted that LMS, as the focal institution, works closely with the Disaster Management Authority (DMA) to ensure that weather forecasts do more than provide predictions by also informing communities about possible impacts and measures they can take to prepare themselves.
Mr. Ntlele said the IBF system will bring together various stakeholders, including the private sector, communities and schools. He added that the programme seeks to combine scientific forecasting with local and indigenous knowledge to improve the effectiveness of weather information.
He further indicated that with support from the Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) project, efforts are being made to ensure that people living with different forms of disabilities can access and understand weather forecasts more effectively.
Meanwhile, Butha-Buthe District Disaster Manager Ms. Mojabeng Mohloki described Impact-Based Forecasting as a transformative approach that focuses not only on predicting weather events but also on assessing their likely impacts.
She said the DMA is responsible for disseminating early warning messages to vulnerable communities and revealed that the next phase of training will target relevant government ministries and local authorities.
A similar Impact-Based Forecasting training workshop was held in Johannesburg, South Africa, in May 2025 and brought together disaster managers, weather forecasters and media practitioners.
Ends/MAMO
