Kathmandu, March 23
World Meteorological Day is being observed worldwide, including in Nepal, with various activities.
The day marks the establishment of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) on March 23, 1950, and highlights the crucial role of National Meteorological and Hydrological Services in ensuring societal safety and well-being. It is celebrated with events and initiatives across the globe.
The theme for World Meteorological Day 2025 is “Closing the Early Warning Gap Together.”
In a statement, WMO President Dr. Abdulla Al Mandous urged all WMO members to step up their efforts in bridging the early warning gap. “Through enhanced collaboration, innovation, and commitment, we can build a safer and more resilient world for all,” the statement reads.
Climate change poses a real and undeniable threat to civilization, with its effects already evident. Without immediate action, the consequences will be catastrophic. According to the WMO, investing in early warning systems makes economic sense—on a global scale, every US dollar spent on early warnings yields an estimated nine U.S. dollars in net economic benefits.
Notably, the WMO recently confirmed that 2024 was the hottest year on record. Environmental changes are driving more extreme weather events, including rapidly intensifying tropical cyclones, devastating rainfall, storm surges, flooding, deadly droughts, and wildfires. Rising sea levels are further exposing densely populated coastal areas to coastal inundation and ocean wave impacts. The societal effects of these disasters persist long after the headlines fade.
