Kyrgyzstan: modernization of the Central Asian hydro-meteorological monitoring system begins
September 2020
Due to regional geographic diversity, Central Asia is facing numerous natural hazards which are now being intensified by climate change. For example, between 1990 and 2009 in the Kyrgyz Republic there were over 330 avalanches, thus representing a serious risk for communities. These natural risks, which also include landslides and floods, are very often aggravated by conditions of widespread poverty and precarious infrastructures.
Funded by the World Bank and approved in 2011, the Central Asian Hydro-Meteorological Modernization Project (CAHMP) aims at improving the accuracy and timeliness of hydro-meteorological services in Central Asia, with special attention to the Kyrgyz Republic and the Republic of Tajikistan. The CAHMP will provide positive social benefits by increasing the quantity and quality of hydro-meteorological information, as well as providing an early warning system.
As part of this project, at the end of a public tender procedure concluded in July 2020, CAE has been awarded the contract with the Hydro-Meteorological Agency of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Kyrgyz Republic (Kyrgyzhydromet); the name of the project is "Supply of hydrological monitoring networks, glaciers, roads and large cities equipped with automatic weather stations”.
The project involves the “turnkey” supply of:
- 23 fully equipped Automatic Weather Stations (AWS);
- 1 system for the determination of cloud altitude;
- 13 local data centres;
- 1 national data centre to be installed, which will integrate the already existing infrastructure of the Kyrgyzhydromet.
The AWSs will be equipped with the latest CAE datalogger: the Compact Plus, based on Linux; a complete set of sensors including the THS sensor for air temperature and humidity, the ULM30/N sensor for snow measurement, wind speed and direction sensor, the PBS pressure sensor, etc. Note that 2 of the 23 stations do not have GSM coverage, so they will be equipped with satellite data communication. Moreover, a system for the determination of cloud altitude will be installed in the capital Bishkek to measure cloud base height and vertical visibility.
CAE will also supply all hardware and software for the 13 local data centres and 1 national data centre, as well as the integration of the already existing infrastructure of the Kyrgyzhydromet. Data from AWSs will be transmitted in different programmable modes, such as: Basic function, On-line function, Storm function and Data storage mode in response to emergency situations.
In addition to the supply of equipment, CAE will provide a full range of services such as site preparation, public works, delivery, installation, preparation of documentation, testing, as well as operator training, warranty service and technical support.
The network will be installed throughout the Kyrgyz Republic, often in remote areas, therefore the extreme environmental conditions in which it will operate will be an excellent test of the quality and durability of CAE products.
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