About

NMHEWS

The NMHEWS stands for National Multi Hazard Early Warning System. The system is operated by DGMET (Directorate General of Meteorology) of PACA (Public Authority for Civil Aviation).  NMHEWS consists of 3 main component of Early Warnings, namely TEWS (Tsunami Early Warning System), TCEWS (Tropical Cyclone Early Warning System) and FFG (Flash Flood Guidance).

Historical development

Oman is exposed to local tsunamis Makran trench Zone) and distant tsunamis (Sunda trench zone). Other extreme hazards in Oman are tropical cyclones and flash floods. The Makran Trench Zone generated an earthquake of magnitude 8.3 in 1945, which made 4000 casualties in Pakistan and hit the Sur area in Oman with waves of 3 meters height. The great Sumatran tsunami in 2004 took more than 200,000 casualties in Sumatra, Thailand, Malaysia, Bangladesh, India, Srilanka and also in Somalia-Africa.  In Oman it was observed 3 meters tsunami wave height in Salalah of Dhofar.  Tropical cyclones have hit the Omani coast several times; cyclone Gonu in 2007 made 49 casualties, while in 1890 a cyclone took 727 lives. Flash floods happen almost every year with infrequent casualties but important economic impact.

Right after the great tsunami in Sumatra, the Government of Oman gave an order to the Ministry of Transportation and Communication to establish National Multi Hazard Early Warning System NMHEWS) in Oman. The system will be operated by DGMAN (Directorate General of Meteorology and Air Navigation), which was under the Ministry until 2013. The National committee was also established in 2005 to draft he plan of implementation. IOC-UNESCO was engaged to arrange the implementation. IOC-UNESCO agreed to assist the implementation by signing the MOU in 2009 and start the implementation in 2010. One project officer of IOC-UNESCO was appointed through selection and worked in Oman since 2011 until 2015. The NMHEWS was complete and inaugurated in March 23rd, 2015.

Stakeholders

During the implementation of the project, DGMET and IOC-UNESCO conducted several workshops with government institution to identify stakeholders for 2 main tasks which are beyond DGMET tasks. The 2 main tasks are the public awareness and response.  The stakeholders are identified during the workshops of SOP standard operating procedures) and public awareness.  The main stakeholders are NCCD, DGOPS, PACDA, PART for the response tasks and Ministry of Education, NCCD for the public awareness.