Hazards Watch: Can We Predict The Next Flood?

Out of 100 disasters reported worldwide, only 20 occur in Africa but Africa suffers 60% of all disaster-related deaths. Why? Allocation for emergency response is approximately 20 times higher than for prevention and preparedness, countering sustainability principles. The risks from these hazards if well predicted can be prevented or reduced or eliminated to ensure that no life is lost. In this episode, a climate service expert with IGAD’s Climate Prediction and Applications Centre (ICPAC), Abubakr Salih Babiker, discusses with Tony the launch of the East Africa Hazards Watch, which will help predict extreme events such as drought, cyclones, pests (desert locust), heavy rainfall, floods or crop failures, which are increasing in frequency and intensity due to climate change.