Source: https://caribbean.loopnews.com/, News Editor, First Published on Feb 26th, 2024 In a significant step towards enhancing climate resilience and equipping Caribbean nations with critical data to withstand extreme weather events, the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), in collaboration with the Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology (CIMH), has launched the Development of Rainfall Intensity Duration-Frequency (IDF) Curves project. In a release dated February 18, 2025, the CDB said the initiative aims to support the Bank’s 19 Borrowing Member Countries (BMCs) in designing infrastructure that is more resistant to flooding and other climate-related risks. The project commenced with a virtual workshop on Friday, February 14, 2025, bringing together key stakeholders, including government representatives and national meteorological and hydrological services. Rainfall IDF curves are essential for designing resilient infrastructure, such as drainage systems and flood control mechanisms. These curves help estimate rainfall intensities for varying probabilities of excess rainfall, making them critical tools for infrastructure planning. By integrating climate change considerations, the project will enhance the planning, design, and implementation of climate-resilient infrastructure across the region. The workshop provided an overview of the project’s scope, objectives, and key deliverables, while also raising public awareness of its significance. Stakeholders discussed their roles in ensuring effective implementation, fostering collaboration, and securing long-term success. CARIBBEAN DEVELOPMENT BANK LAUNCHES PROJECT TO ASSESS EXTREME RAINFALL OPENING LINES Dr David Farrell, Principal of the CIMH, emphasised the project’s significance, stating,“This represents an important step forward in our collective efforts to mitigate the societal impacts of current and future extreme weather events. By developing updated rainfall IDF curves that take into account possible future climates, we will enhance the resilience of our infrastructure and protect local communities from the increasing threats posed by climate change.” Shawn Boyce, Chief Hydrologist at CIMH and the project’s Technical Lead, highlighted the importance of stakeholder collaboration in achieving the project’s goals. “The ultimate success of such a project relies heavily on active stakeholder engagement to ensure that the outputs of the project are integrated into planning and design across the region. This regional kickoff workshop marks the beginning of an inclusive process to ensure the resulting IDF curves are 11 BUSINESS VIEW CARIBBEAN VOLUME 12, ISSUE 03
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