MOBILISE

Fuvahmulah City Launches Groundbreaking Impact-based Multi-hazard Early Warning System
21 August 2025, Fuvahmulah City, Maldives

We are pleased to announce the launch of an Impact-based Multi-Hazard Early Warning System (MHEWS) in Fuvahmulah City, Maldives, which represents a significant step in protecting communities from extreme weather and climate-related hazards. Developed by the University of Salford’s THINKlab using its MOBILISE solutions, the system enables authorities to anticipate impacts and issue timely, actionable warnings to reduce risks to lives, infrastructure and livelihoods.

The system was officially inaugurated by Dr Mohamed Kinaanath, Minister of State for Homeland Security and Technology, at a ceremony attended by more than 70 senior officials representing national and local agencies.

Keynote speakers included Mr Ismail Rafeeq, Mayor of Fuvahmulah City, Mr Mohamed Hassaan, Chief Executive of the Environmental Regulatory Authority, Mr Erdem Atas, Country Economist and Resident Coordinator for the Maldives, World Bank and Prof. Terrence Fernando, Director of THINKlab and Project Consultant.
Speakers praised the initiative as a transformative step for climate adaptation in the Maldives, stressing the need to expand the platform nationwide to better protect vulnerable communities.

Prof. Terrence Fernando, Director of the THINKlab, said “THINKlab is delighted to see our research and development on climate resilience making a real impact. Through MOBILISE, we are enabling national and local agencies to collaborate effectively in monitoring and forecasting extreme weather, and issuing timely early warnings that save lives.”

The MHEWS project is led by the Ministry of Homeland Security and Technology, with the Ministry of Tourism and Environment as a primary beneficiary. Funding is provided by the World Bank’s Digital Maldives for Adaptation, Decentralisation and Diversification (DMADD) Project, with close involvement from the Maldives Meteorology Services, National Disaster Management Agency, and relevant departments of the Ministry of Tourism and Environment.

We invite government organisations, NGOs, and climate resilience technology providers to connect with us. We are keen to explore potential collaborations on implementing similar systems in different regions worldwide and look forward to discussing opportunities for partnership.

I am so excited to start the implementation of our “Multi-hazard Forecasting and Early Warning System (MHEWS), starting from the Fuvamulah Island. The project is led by the Ministry of State for Homeland Security and Technology involving Maldives Meteorology Services, National Disaster Management Agency, Water and Sanitation Department, National Centre for Information Technology and Fuvamellah City Council. I hope to meet all the key agencies to agree on approach to co-designing and co-implementing the Early Warning System for the citizens.

Today I met the State Minister
Dr. Mohamed Kinaanat, DG and the senior team from the Maldives Meteorology Services to start our journey.

I am so pleased to receive their full support and commitment to make this project a success.

Few more meetings are planned to meet other key stakeholders in the coming days.

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🌩️ THINKlab Director Professor Terry Fernando recently contributed to a special episode of the WeatherPod! 🎙️

In Episode 26: Anticipatory Action, the panel, including Irene Amuron from the Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Centre and Paul Davies from the UK Met Office, joined forces with Terrence to tackle the question:

"How do we improve outcomes for everyone at risk from the impact of hydrometeorological hazards?" 🌍

With hosts, Alan Thorpe and David Rogers, this episode included insights and engaging discussion 💡

The WeatherPod Episode 26: Anticipatory Action In this special episode of the WeatherPod, hosts Alan and David have invited into the studio Irene Amuron of the Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Centre, Paul ...

It was a pleasure to be a part of this special episode of the WeatherPod, hosted by Alan Thorpe and David Rogers to discuss “How do we improve outcomes for everyone at risk from the impact of hydrometeorological hazards?”. The panel comprised of
Irene Amuron of the Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Centre, Paul Davies of the UK Met Office, and myself to debate the question.

Episode 26: Anticipatory Action | GFDRR May 3, 2023 Episode 26: Anticipatory Action In this special episode of the WeatherPod, hosts Alan and David have invited into the studio Irene Amuron of the Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Centre, Paul Davies of the UK Met Office, and Terrence Fernando the University of Salford, to debate the questio...

Transcend Seminar taking place on Tuesday 20 June - discover how Precision Farming can be the answer to ensuring food security and promoting sustainable agriculture. Don't miss out on this FREE insightful event! 👇

🌾 Join us for an enlightening seminar on Precision Farming: Empowering Food Security and Sustainable Agriculture, featuring esteemed speaker Prof. Guttila Jayasinghe 🌱

In a world with a growing population, ensuring food security and sustainable farming practices is of utmost importance. Discover the transformative potential of precision agriculture, where innovative techniques maximise productivity while minimising resource inputs and environmental impacts. 🌿

Don't miss out on this opportunity to learn about the latest advancements in precision farming. Registering through Eventbrite: http://ow.ly/stJa50OGABp. 📅

🌎🌾 Photo by Raphael Rychetsky on Unsplash

Our recent work with the Ordnance Survey, Manchester Resilience Forum, and Salford City Council to help tackle flood risk by enabling greater prediction of threat levels is featured via Greater Manchester Business Community's Pro-Manchester website.

Read all about our collaboration below.

Mobilising efforts to tackle floods - pro-manchester Brand new technology developed by the University of Salford is helping tackle flood risk in the UK by enabling greater […]

Read more about how we are using geospatial information data and systems in line with the United Nations to help build resilience against flooding and to strengthen disaster risk reduction practices ☞ http://ow.ly/A8hP50Olf4u

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