Boosted by WMO technical assistance to the Hydromet Burkina Faso project and by CREWS Togo, Burkina Faso and Togo have strengthened their capacity to produce and deliver rapid flood forecasts for urban areas and river floods to support decision-making on alerts by the relevant entities in each country.
Improved operational capacity to use flood forecasting systems for early warning has brought together specialists from the two countries, facilitating the exchange of experience between meteorologists, hydrologists, and disaster risk reduction specialists.
Flooding presents a growing challenge in the region, exacerbated by climate variability and rapid urbanization. In response, Burkina Faso and Togo are investing in strengthening national technical capacity to improve hydrometeorological service delivery and preparedness. In Burkina Faso after three years of WMO support, existing national flood forecasting - developed by CIMA research foundations - CIMA, the Swedish Meteorology and Hydrological Institute - SMHI, and AGRHYMET Regional Center - AGRHYMET - have been improved. In addition, an urban flood forecasting system (SAPCI local) was developed in vulnerable urban areas. This effort included tailored capacity building on the production of flood forecasting services.
The final SAPCI operational training was held from 2 to 10 June 2025 in Lomé, Togo, bringing together 20 participants from Burkina Faso and Togo, as well as trainees from CIMA, SMHI, AGRHYMET, SYNAPSES, and HYDROMATTERS. This training gave national specialists the opportunity to explore the differences between riverine and urban flooding, and the tools and procedures required to forecast them and issue timely warnings. It also emphasized the importance of producing timely flood forecasting products for decision-makers and disaster risk managers, and on establishing procedures and preparatory actions before, during, and after flood events.
Both Burkina Faso and Togo demonstrated a strong commitment to continued collaboration, knowledge sharingand development of robust early warning systems capable of saving lives and reducing flood-related impacts.
WMO expresses sincere appreciation to ANAMET for hosting this training.
