The government on Wednesday signed a US$ 113 million financing agreement with the World Bank to modernise the country's meteorological and hydrological information system, including weather forecasting, early warning systems, and delivery of weather and climate services.
The Bangladesh Weather and Climate Services Regional Project (BWCSRP) will help strengthen the weather, water, disaster risk and climate information services in Bangladesh, said a World Bank media release.
The project will also pilot a community-level early warning system for flashfloods, thunderstorms and droughts in four districts -- Netrakona, Sunamganj, Rajshahi and Naogaon -- which are expected to benefit over 1 million people.
The project will set up an Agrometeorological Information System portal, agromet information kiosks in 487 upazilas, and agromet display boards at 4,051 unions. This will enable more than 30,000 farmer households to have access to weather and water-related information, and help them make better planning and decisions to deal with climate uncertainties.
Bangladesh is among the most disaster-prone and climate vulnerable countries in the world, and is frequently hit by floods, drought, and tropical cyclones, with significant losses of lives and substantial costs to the economy.
The project will support regional collaboration to share knowledge, leverage economies of scale in forecasting and development of services, and improve preparedness and resilience. The project will help at least five international agencies engaged in regional and global modelling.
The zero-interest credit from the International Development Association (IDA), the World Bank's grant and interest-free credits arm, has a maturity of 38 years, including a 6-year grace period; and carries a service charge of 0.75 percent.
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