28th September – 11th October, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan & Kyrgyzstan
A dedicated team of researchers, comprising Dr. Muhammad Usman and Clara Athenstaedt, both affiliated with the Department of Geoecology at Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, embarked on a comprehensive expedition across Central Asia. Their itinerary included visits to various hydromet services in Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan, spanning from September 28th to October 11th.
Throughout this journey, the team actively engaged with colleagues from diverse Hydromets, specializing in areas such as agriculture and meteorological drought. These interactions provided an invaluable platform for in-depth discussions on subjects of mutual interest and professional significance.
The hydromet scientists were duly briefed on the latest advancements in the drought monitoring tool tailored for the Aral Sea Basin, known as “Droughtmap-ASB.” This innovative tool is a product of the “Green Central Asia” initiative, championed by the Federal Foreign Office of Germany (https://droughtmap.geo.uni-halle.de/droughtmap). Additionally, collaborative workshops with the Hydromets facilitated a deep dive into the prevailing drought monitoring methodologies employed by various agencies, paving the way for potential synergistic efforts.
The principal aim of these meetings was to cultivate a spirit of collaboration, pinpoint areas of shared concern, and amplify the versatility, acceptance, and practicality of “Droughtmap-ASB” for local stakeholders, particularly Hydromets. In furtherance of this objective, extensive field visits were conducted, encompassing meteorological stations and agricultural fields. These visits provided a firsthand assessment of the existing infrastructure and facilities for monitoring pivotal climatic variables and agricultural practices.
The overwhelmingly positive response from the Hydromets underscored their enthusiastic interest in future collaborative endeavors geared towards advancing societal well-being and confronting environmental challenges head-on. This collective commitment marks a significant stride towards proactively mitigating potential catastrophes and fostering sustainable progress.
