BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN (Borneo Bulletin/Asia News Network): The Brunei Darussalam Meteorological Department (BDMD) at the Ministry of Transport and Infocommunications (MTIC) officially opened its Weather Radar Building which houses the new Brunei Darussalam Doppler Weather Surveillance Radar System.
Minister of Transport and Infocommunications Pengiran Dato Seri Setia Shamhary Mustapha officiated the event held in conjunction with World Meteorological Day 2023.
Acting Director of BDMD Rokiah Angas, as organising chairperson of the event, gave a speech followed by the launch of the building and radar system by the minister.
These two projects to upgrade the weather radar network were under the 11th National Development Plan (RKN 11) to improve the weather observation systems in the Sultanate.
It was also part of MTIC Strategic Plan 2025 (MTIC 2025) aiming to achieve 90 per cent accuracy in aviation weather warnings by 2025.
The new radar will increase the capability to monitor and analyse weather developments in real time improving the accuracy of forecasts and issue earlier advisories and warnings for the country.
The new radar uses state-of-the-art system – dual polarisation weather radar system using S-band capable of scanning a distance of 250-kilometre radius with exceptional sensitivity and enabling the monitoring of a wide range of weather phenomena with high data quality and high resolution.
Commander of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces Major General Dato Paduka Seri Muhammad Haszaimi Bol Hassan and Legislative Council (LegCo) members were in attendance.
Permanent Secretary at the MTIC Mohammad Nazri Mohammad Yusof, Deputy Permanent Secretary (Infocommunications) at the MTIC Hairul Mohd Daud Abdul Karim and Acting Deputy Permanent Secretary (Transport) at the MTIC Mohd Salihin Aspar were also present.
Pengiran Dato Seri Setia Shamhary and guests toured an exhibition showcasing the weather radar system and Brunei WX app.