WIGOS Project Evaluation Template
Project Name
Integrated Southern Africa Developing Community Hydrological Cycle Observing System
(SADC-HYCOS) and the Regional Flash Flood Guidance System - Southern Africa
Component (SARFFGS)
1. Aims
The general purpose of this Pilot Project is to develop a tool that improves the
effectiveness of both the SADC-HYCOS project and the SAFFGS, by means of the
integration of the flux of real time data from the SADC-HYCOS project, the SARFFGS
products which are time sensitive and the products generated by the NWP from the
SWFDP. Such opportunity will offer a show-case to the WIGOS/WIS, as far as the
Hydrologic aspects are concerned.
2. Key deliverables and expected benefits
Under the SADC-HYCOS project, 63 DCPs were installed in the participating
countries, a network design study was made, equipments and new data base software
were purchased, experts in the participating countries were trained in HYDSTRA software,
and all local civil works for construction of new DCPs were completed by the countries.
Phase II of the project was completed in June 2010. WMO assisted SADC to prepare an
implementation document for phase III, which was endorsed by the SADC council of
Ministers and the Government of the Netherlands has signed an agreement with SADC to
support the implementation of SADC-HYCOS phase III.
Regarding the SARFFG System, a regional workshop was organized in April 2008 in
Pretoria to provide participants with a basic understanding of the fundamentals of the
Flash Flood Guidance System, its operations, its links to the Severe Weather Forecast
Demonstration Project (SWFDP), and its application and implementation in the region. A
kick off workshop was organized in July 2009 to start the implementation of the project
with the objective to bring the participating countries together to review the plan and needs
for the implementation of the project, and identify potential flash flood prone basins in each
country. The workshop provided experts with better understanding of the fundamentals of
the FFGS, its operations, its links to disaster risk reduction, and its application in the
region.
The Hydrologic Research Centre (HRC), of San Diego, USA which is collaborating
with WMO and NOAA in the implementation of the FFGS project, completed basin
delineations and threshold runoff development. The Project Regional Centre (PRC) was
well established in the South African Weather Services (SAWS) and started coordinating
regional activities. HRC completed parametric database for the soil model. HRC provided
PRC and countries with provisional products for reviewing the system which includes
providing available real-time products based on delineated basins, parameterized
hydrologic modeling and ingest of available real-time rainfall data. HRC carried out site
visits to several of the countries in the Southern Africa region for data collection and FFG
system operations overviews and in the further development of a training approach for the
FFG implementations.
The objectives of the pilot project will be complimented with those of the Zambezi
River Basin Flood Forecasting and Early Warning (ZRBFFEW) project whose
implementation started in July 2009. A regional consultation meeting for the ZRBFFEW
was organized from 1st to 5th December 2009 in Maputo, Mozambique as the first activity
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of the project. Part of the meeting was dedicated to the development of WIGOS/WIS Pilot
Project and to identify potential contribution from other major projects in the region. Focal
points of the project have been identified in some of the participating countries. ToR for
international and national consultants who will be involved in the implementation of the
project have been prepared.
It is expected that the integration of the two projects (SADC-HYCOS and SARFFGS)
will provide a standardized platform for provision of information for developing flash flood
guidance and flood forecasting and warning services for several river basins in the SADC
Region. The FFGS products which are time sensitive will be part of WIS and should be
distributed to all NMHSs for further dissemination.
3. Implementation constraints; problems encountered
The main problems pointed out by most Members of the SADC region are:

Shortage of satisfactorily trained staff in flood forecasting;

Lack of formal data sharing policy and protocols;

Poor rainfall forecast accuracy;

Transmission problems and malfunctioning devices;

Vandalism and theft of equipment;

Outdated instrumentation and obsolete forecasting methods.
Up to the time being, Angola and Tanzania have not participated in the discussions
about the schemes to be carried out for the Zambezi river basin. Such absence might,
to some extent, restrict the comprehensiveness of the strategy to be accomplished
within the river basin as a whole.
4. Pending issues (as well as reasons, such as lack of resources (budget/staff), etc.)

The Zambezi Watercourse Commission (ZAMCOM) is not yet fully established,
due to the fact that the required number of countries to ratify the Agreement
have not yet signed it.

Some DCPs of the SADC-HYCOS project are yet to be installed.

Lake of trained staff as well as financial resources need to be addressed.

Data links among participating centers should be identified.

There is a need to enhance discovery and access of existing Zambezi Water
Information System (ZAMWIS) to prevent duplication if applicable.

SARFFGS and SADC-HYCOS products which are time sensitive can be part of
WIS and it should be distributed to NMHSs for further dissemination.

The language interface is to be considered.
5. Partners involved (internal/external)
WMO, CHy, RA I-WGH, GCOS, GTOS, WHYCOS, NMHSs,DMOs Zambezi River
Authority (ZRA), International Federation of Red Cross (IFRC), ARA Zambezi SADC, EU,
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the Netherlands Government, Republic of South Africa, USAID/OFDA, NOAA/NWS,USGS
and HRC.
6. Management and governance aspects (changes of organizational structure, etc.)
No changes
7. Capacity building and Outreach requirements
A regional workshop was organized in April 2008 under the SARFFGS. Trainings
were provided to experts of the participating countries of the SADC-HYCOS project on
software and field installations.
There is a need to strengthen the national and regional institutional capcity of
NMHSs and DMAs to actively participate and effectively contribute to the implementation
of the pilot project.
8. Benefits achieved
The main benefits of the Project are:

Most of the countries participating in the Southern Africa Flash Flood Guidance
System (SAFFGS) provided their historical rainfall data and the format for their
real time data.

Enhancement of the collection of critical data needed to monitor and to predict
environmental aspects, including hazards.

Cataloging of the full range of data and products, simplifying search and
assuring equitable access by WMO policies.

Enhancement of the availability of time-critical data and products at the centres
in all Member, ensuring the effective provision of services to their populations
and economies.
9. Lessons learned and experiences gained
Countries in the Southern Africa region have acknowledgement that cooperation in
data and information sharing is an effective way for managing and forecasting floods in the
shared basins and the region as a whole.
10. Legacy of the Project
It is expected that the Project brings an effective way to manage and to forecast
flooding in the region. Besides, the cooperation of the Members involved will lead future
generations to work together in mutual aid.
11. Resources used
Financial resources have been provided by EU, the Netherlands Government,
USAID/OFDA and WMO.
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12. Planned Project completion date
The SADC-HYCOS Phase II was completed in June 2010, while Phase III will
continue. The planned completion of the SARFFGS is 2012.
13. Project Focal Point (contact person, position, organization; phone, fax, e-mail)
Contact Person: Antonio Cardoso Neto
Position: Expert in Water Resources
Organization: Agência Nacional de Águas
E-mail: cardoso@ana.gov.br and cardoso.neto@terra.com.br
14. Place and Date (Location and date the report was prepared)
Brasilia (Brazil), 15th September 2010.