Senior Reporter
anna-lisa.paul@guardian.co.tt
Government continues to invest in the T&T Meteorological Service (TTMS) as part of efforts to enhance weather forecasting and improve the ability to track and respond to weather events in real-time.
Acknowledging the public criticism that was often levelled at the TTMS during times of adverse weather, Public Utilities Minister Marvin Gonzales said on Saturday that while some of it may have been justified before, Government was paying attention and had been quietly moving to ensure the TTMS had what it needed to do the job better.
He admitted the public usually turned to social media and the Internet for information which they believed was more timely and relevant.
Speaking during the launch of the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) 16 at the TTMS, Piarco, Gonzales said the equipment, which cost $3.5 million, was meant to provide accurate information to the entire Caribbean region.
“So it can save hundreds of lives,” he said.
Gonzales said the Radar Tower at Basso Venado, which was recommissioned a few weeks ago, coupled with the GOES 16 Satellite would boost the TTMS’ overall operations.
Underscoring just how important the TTMS was, he recalled a previous situation which nearly resulted in the country being shut down, after weather forecasters were unavailable to work.
Gonzales stressed, “If we do not provide the necessary technology and the necessary resources to them, they can literally shut down the entire country and the entire Caribbean.”
He added, “It is not a unit you can take and ought not to take for granted.”
Saying he had since moved to settle outstanding human resource issues and address the problem of outdated and non-functional equipment, Gonzales said investments in IT and technological upgrades would redound to the country’s benefit and that of the region and further abroad.
He urged the public to be careful about the social media sites they were taking information from, as misinformation could have a negative and devastating impact.
He said the investments in technology and equipment would improve the public’s perception that the TTMS could provide real-time information to protect them and their properties.
As part of the ongoing upgrade, Gonzales said they will soon be moving to get monitoring devices along the Caroni and South Oropouche Rivers back into operation, so they can assist in feeding real-time developments to the TTMS, Water Resources Agency and command centres so early action can be taken to protect plants and equipment.
“We should no longer doubt the information they are providing to us because they now have the technology to provide accurate information to the public,” Gonzales assured.
Looking ahead to 2025, he said Government is set to invest in more technology with the implementation of a modern Ranger Radar System which will increase the ability and capacity of the TTMS.
Acting TTMS director Shakeer Baig welcomed the upgrades, which he said would revolutionise weather reporting in the country and the region.
He said the new equipment will also positively impact their ability to detect Saharan Dust movement and even help the country to prepare for incoming droughts.