World Meteorological Day 2025: Addressing the Early Warning Gap Together

Nepal joins the global community today in celebrating World Meteorological Day, an annual event that highlights the crucial role of meteorological and hydrological services in ensuring public safety and well-being. The day marks the anniversary of the establishment of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) on March 23, 1950.

This year’s theme, “Closing the Early Warning Gap Together,” underscores the need for stronger collaboration to enhance early warning systems worldwide. Dr. Abdulla Al Mandous, President of the WMO, emphasized the importance of collective action in a statement, urging member countries to work towards minimizing the gaps in early warning systems. He stated, “Through enhanced collaboration, innovation, and commitment, we can build a safer and more resilient world for all.”

The WMO highlights that early warning systems not only save lives but also yield substantial economic benefits. According to their data, every $1 invested in early warning mechanisms generates $9 in economic returns. Effective early warnings can help mitigate the devastating effects of climate change, which is intensifying extreme weather events globally.

The WMO recently confirmed that 2024 was the hottest year on record, signaling the alarming pace of climate change. Rising sea levels, increasingly severe tropical cyclones, heavy rainfall, flooding, droughts, and wildfires are becoming more frequent and severe. These events pose significant threats to densely populated coastal regions, leading to long-lasting social and economic impacts.

As the world faces these growing climate challenges, the message of World Meteorological Day 2025 is clear: closing the early warning gap is not just a necessity — it is an urgent global priority.