Fiji to look after its own tsunami warning

By Halitesh Datt, Fiji TV

5 July 2013, Nadi, Fiji - With the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre soon to cease issuing tsunami warnings for the region, Fiji like other Pacific Island countries will have to beef up its own resources.

That means the Mineral Resources Department will have to be operational 24 hours throughout the week.

This in turn may require government to pump in more resources to the M.R.D to provide timely warnings.

 Rajendra Prasad- Inter-governmental Oceans Commission

The Former Fiji Meteorological Director says this move will avoid unnecessary panic during a tsunami warning.

Rajendra Prasad- Inter-governmental Oceans Commission

Weather station plans for Fiji's North

By Halitesh Datt, Fiji TV

4 July, 2013, Nadi, Fiji - The Fiji Meteorological Service is planning to open up a weather station in the Northern division.

FMS already has a hydrology unit based in Labasa and intends to supplement this service with a new weather station.

Given the role that it plays not only in Fiji but in the region as well, the Fiji Meteorological Service plans to further strengthen its operations this year.

To begin this, the met service is already installing automatic weather stations around the country to collect important weather related data.

Acting Director for Fiji Met Service, Aminiasi Tuidraki

FMS is also awaiting a $5.7 million dollar grant from the Japan International Cooperation Agency to install a new early warning system.

Capital projects for the met service this year are pegged at FJD$5 million dollars.

The Acting Director for Fiji’s Met Service, Aminiasi Tuidraki says this is an effort to increase its network in Fiji and the region.

The Fiji met service is also hoping to carry out a public awareness programs regarding its operations.

Fiji Met Service working on new law

By Halitesh Datt, Fiji TV

The Fiji Meteorological Service is working on draft legislation to give it legal authority for its work.

The Acting Director of Fiji’s Meteorological Service, Aminisasi Tuidraki says work on putting together the bill has been done with the met service waiting endorsement from Fiji’s cabinet.

Meanwhile the Fiji Met Service is also looking to set up legal agreements with the organisations and bodies that it provides weather information to.

FMS Acting Director, Aminiasi Tuidraki says such agreements would give the service legal backing for its arrangement with stakeholders.