Dr. Waheed, along with Ali Shareef, Maldivian Meteorological Service, is leading the charge for Maldivian environmental efforts, including a Tsunami Warning initiative. Because of his involvement with these projects, he has a strong interest in environmental and weather issues and how they impact residents of the Maldives. For instance, during the pre-onset phase of the MJO that we are currently in, there has been decreased rain, which has caused a shortage of available drinking water for some of the islands and atolls. Having access to more accurate MJO forecasts would have been tremendously beneficial in this circumstance, allowing the government preparation time to ship in potable water as needed.
These visits serve as good reminders of why our work matters in addition to our own interest in advancing our knowledge. We collect data, and at the end of this campaign, the data we collect will improve our understanding of the MJO and our ability to predict its occurrence. That information could influence important local decisions, improving the quality of life for the citizens of the Maldives.
Chuck Long