WMO urges for closing the gap between weather warnings and early action
The World Meteorological Organisation is pushing for better communication between weather forecasters and local communities to ensure early warnings lead to effective action. A study in Kenya revealed that many residents understand warnings but lack the resources or knowledge to act, prompting calls for stronger media partnerships.
Why it matters
Improving the translation of weather data into actionable community responses is critical for reducing fatalities and economic loss during extreme climate events.
The World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) is calling for the need to peg the gap between weather warnings and early action to help prevent loss of lives and livelihoods as well as the destruction of property during extreme weather events.
According to the Project Officer, in the office of the WMO Representative Office for Eastern and Southern Africa Dr. Joshua Ngaina, a study conducted in March 2026 in Garissa County, the household endline assessment reported that 57 per cent of surveyed respondents lacked access to flood information.
“Across Garissa and Tana River counties, the datasets indicated that around 58 to 59 per cent of the respondents said they would know what to do following a drought warning but would be unable to carry out the actions.”
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