Fiji is among many countries globally utilizing the Flash Flood Guidance System (FFGS). This information was shared by Hwirin Kim, head of the World Meteorological Organization’s Hydrological and Water Resources Division Services Department.
During the Pacific Early Warning System for Floods (EWS-F) and Flash Flood Guidance System (FFGS) meeting at the Novotel Hotel in Nadi, Ms. Kim stated that Fiji ranks among the best globally, alongside 73 other countries, in using this flood system.
The FFGS is crucial for forecasting and managing flash floods, which are some of the world’s deadliest natural disasters. The system was created to compensate for the lack of effective flash flood warning capabilities, providing real-time guidance to meteorological and hydrological forecasters.
Ms. Kim noted that Fiji is the only country in the Pacific with such a system. “They implement it and actively work with the National Disaster Management Office, sharing information not only in English but also in local languages and other languages. They use it to issue warnings to the public,” she said.
“Fiji serves as a leading example for other islands by sharing this experience, allowing them to learn from Fiji. It is the leading country among the Pacific islands in this regard,” she added.
She mentioned that Fiji has not yet been designated as the FFGS business center in the Pacific. “We have not decided yet, but Fiji is a strong candidate to become the regional center for FFGS in the Pacific,” Ms. Kim explained.
The focus of the meeting was on the early warning system for floods, a project that will be funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Sezin Tokar, a senior hydrometeorological hazard advisor at USAID’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Reduction, emphasized the importance of supporting this project. “Early warnings save lives, reduce suffering, and mitigate the economic impact of disasters,” she stated.