UKZN, in collaboration with the University of the West of Scotland (UWS), the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) and the University of Portsmouth (UoP) in England, has secured a R46.5 million grant from the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) to develop a pioneering warning system for extreme weather events in South Africa.
The project, titled: “Warning System for Extreme Weather Events, Awareness Technology for Healthcare, Equitable Delivery and Resilience (WEATHER)”, aims to enhance the resilience of vulnerable communities and healthcare systems against climate-related disasters such as flooding and associated health risks.
The WEATHER project is spearheaded by joint Principal Investigators (PIs) UKZN’s Professor Saloshni Naidoo and Professor Mary Lynch of UWS and RCSI, whose commitment to mitigating the effects of climate change on public health has been pivotal in bringing together this international collaboration. The project will focus on two flood-prone districts in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), eThekwini and Ugu, where extreme weather has had devastating effects on communities.
Naidoo emphasised the importance of the initiative, saying: ‘A successful WEATHER project would not only benefit our communities and strengthen the health system but also serve as a valuable model for other regions facing similar climate-related risks, potentially contributing to broader improvements across South Africa and in other low- and middle-income countries.’
Lynch highlighted the project’s community-centred approach: ‘The WEATHER project goes beyond technology and will aid in empowering communities to become active participants in building resilience. By working hand-in-hand with local stakeholders, we can ensure the warning system is truly effective and sustainable in the long-term.’
The project integrates advanced geospatial technologies and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to develop a real-time predictive warning system. AI-powered tools will analyse historical and current weather patterns, enabling early detection of extreme weather events and their potential health impacts. This critical information will be disseminated via mobile applications and SMS alerts, ensuring that even communities with limited internet access receive timely warnings.
UKZN’s Professor Serestina Viriri elaborated on the technological innovation, saying: ‘Climate change is a phenomenon we are witnessing in the real world. Extreme weather conditions are experienced in all seasons. Rainfall and flood prediction play a crucial role in raising awareness about potential dangers and enabling people to take proactive mitigating measures. In this project, we aim to explore machine learning techniques to accurately predict extreme rainfall and flooding using historical and real-time weather data from southern KwaZulu-Natal.’
Co-investigator at UWS Professor Fiona Henriquez-Mui emphasised the project’s impact: ‘This initiative will support areas in eThekwini grappling with increasingly unpredictable weather patterns due to climate change, leaving communities exposed to floods, waterborne diseases, and disrupted healthcare services. The WEATHER project has the potential to save lives and significantly improve health outcomes by providing timely and targeted warnings.’
The project’s launch was attended by representatives from UKZN, UWS, RCSI and UoP, alongside stakeholders from the National and Provincial Department of Health, the South African Weather Service, eThekwini Municipality, and the South Durban Community Engagement Alliance.
Professor Busisiwe Ncama, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (DVC) and Head of the College of Health Sciences (CHS) at UKZN, welcomed the project’s international collaborators, stating, ‘This ground-breaking initiative is a multi-partner effort. At UKZN, our mission is to be a globally-ranked research-intensive university that responds to major societal, economic and environmental challenges. Through strategic partnerships like this one, we are committed to translating research into impactful, real-world solutions that benefit communities.’
Professor Fhatuwani Mudau, DVC and Head of UKZN’s College of Agriculture, Engineering, and Science, expressed his support: ‘This multidisciplinary team is helping us tackle climate change issues, particularly extreme heat and flooding in this province. I fully support the project and welcome its outcomes.’
Ms Babongile Mhlongo of the KZN Department of Health underscored the necessity of the project, noting: ‘In 2022, 236 828 people were affected by floods in the province – 650 deaths were recorded, with 87 people still missing. An early warning system is urgently needed and we welcome this initiative.’
Community representatives also voiced their support. Mr Desmond D’Sa from the South Durban Community Engagement Alliance, which has been advocating for vulnerable communities for over 30 years, said: ‘Climate change is here to stay, so we need scientists and communities to work together to ensure that this new early warning system serves the needs of vulnerable communities.’
With the support of the NIHR grant, the WEATHER project represents a significant step forward in combating climate-induced disasters. By integrating cutting-edge technology with community-driven solutions, the initiative aims to mitigate the devastating effects of extreme weather on vulnerable populations. Its success will set a precedent for similar initiatives in other climate-affected regions, fostering resilience and saving lives on a global scale.
As Lynch aptly concluded: ‘Thanks to this support, we can translate innovative ideas into tangible solutions, ultimately empowering people on the frontlines of climate change to face extreme weather events with greater preparedness and resilience.’
Words: MaryAnn Francis
