2003 Press Releases

USAID-Sponsored Training Courses Continue Strengthening Capacity of Hydromets in Central Asia

May 21, 2003

From May 16 - 21, 2003 a training course on operation and maintenance of automated meteorological (met) stations was conducted by the Central Asia Natural Resources Management Program (NRMP), funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).

During the five-day course at Bekrova met station, Turkmen Hydromet specialists learned how to operate and maintain the met stations computer equipment that was provided and installed by NRMP at the beginning of this year. The participants also had an opportunity to exchange views on how well the equipment was performing and identify areas where they may need additional assistance.

NRMP installed automated met stations to improve the on-the-ground network for weather and snow melt data collection in the five Central Asian countries. The stations automatically collect and transmit weather data. Prior to using the new automated equipment, hydromet specialists registered the weather data manually and kept all calculations in hand-written logbooks.

"Such training programs will ensure effective operation, use, and maintenance of the equipment, help to improve the forecasting, and stimulate the exchange of ideas and data among Central Asian specialists," - commented NRMP Specialist Alexandr Merkushkin.

Generating accurate and reliable weather, stream and snowmelt forecasts is essential for agriculture and economies of Central Asia countries. New equipment and training activities will strengthen the capacity of the hydromets to gather, transfer and analyze data more efficiently. This will improve agriculture planning and promote more rational use of water resources, economic growth and stability in the region.

For additional information please contact the NRMP office in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan:
34 Telliya St., Ashgabat, Turkmenistan
Tel: (993-12) 39-71-69
(993-66) 30-97-06
E-mail: shokhrat@online.tm
www.nrmp.uz