Rimes launches cyclone impact forecasting toolkit
The Regional Integrated Multi-Hazard Early Warning System (Rimes) has launched a cyclone-specific impact forecasting toolkit to enhance early action and disaster resilience in Bangladesh's coastal regions.
The toolkit was unveiled at a workshop in Dhaka today (3 June), reads a press statement.
Part of the STEP project—Strengthening Forecast-Based Early Actions in Cyclone-Prone Coastal Regions in Bangladesh—the toolkit adopts an Impact-Based Forecasting (IBF) approach that translates complex weather data into actionable insights based on local vulnerabilities.
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The goal is to enable timely and targeted disaster responses.
Speaking at the event, Nurun Nahar, additional secretary at the National Economic Council (ECNEC), stressed the importance of accessibility. "Turning technical data into accessible, practical knowledge is essential for policy and community-level decisions."
Anna Orlandini, head of office at ECHO Bangladesh, praised the toolkit's potential and urged for strong government involvement and sustained funding.
"Forecasts alone are not enough," said Raihanul Haque Khan, country programme lead at Rimes.
"To build real resilience, we must connect early warning with early action," he added.
Tapan Kumar Chakraborty, deputy country director at Action Against Hunger (ACF), noted the cost-effectiveness of early action. "An accurate and timely forecast can save up to 16 taka in response costs for every 1 taka invested."
Md Momenul Islam, director of the Bangladesh Meteorological Department, identified five key challenges: coordination, formal agreements, data sharing, manpower, and capacity building.
Ahmadul Haque, director of the Cyclone Preparedness Programme (CPP), called IBF "incomparable in necessity," especially for early actions in agriculture, fisheries, livestock, and health sectors.
The event, moderated by Mohammad Akmal Shareef, Country Director of ACF, concluded with field-level reflections and a vote of thanks from STEP consortium representatives.
