The Most Effective Methods for Delivering Severe Weather Early Warnings to Fishermen on Lake Victoria

Abstract

Introduction: It is estimated that five thousand people die on Lake Victoria every year by drowning which is triggered by severe weather hazards like lightning.Objectives: In order to improve predictability of severe weather conditions on Lake Victoria, there is need to deliver timely and effective Severe Weather Early Warning Systems (SWEWS) to those at risk. On Lake Victoria, previous SWEW service trials ceased with the end of the funding grants. This study therefore assessed the possibility of sustaining the SWEW service by assessing willingness to pay. Methods: An assessment was conducted between March and May 2015 to determine the SWEW service improvements desired by the population. A convenience sample of respondents was gathered and interviewed during impromptu visits to landing sites on Lake Victoria. The respondents were also among community members that had earlier participated in a pilot assessing the feasibility of mobile phones is delivering SWEW alerts. Semi-structured questionnaires were administered to fishermen and fisher folks at the landing site to gather suggestions/strategies for (i) better design and implementation of SWEW service, (ii) use of smart phones, and (iii) their ability and willingness to pay for a SWEW service. Results were presented as frequencies.Results: Two hundred fifteen respondents from fourteen landing sites (communities) were interviewed. Over 50% of the respondents (113/215) were aware about at least one community member who had been injured due to lightening on the lake in the past year. Ninety two percent (198/215) of the respondents reported using mobile phones as their main tool of communication but only 4% had smart phones that could receive early warning weather alerts through internet connectivity. Seventy five percent of respondents said they would welcome a system that could deliver commercial weather alerts and 65% were willing to pay for such a service. Conclusions: A SWEW service is feasible in this community but must be accompanied with public education on risk, a design that can fit the basic phone functionality and a system that the community majority will be willing to pay for on a continuing basis as a sustainability plan/strategy for an early warning system. This will enable timely dissemination of severe weather alerts and reduce risk of drowning on lakes among fishing communities.

Mixed-methods community assessment of drowning and water safety knowledge and behaviours on Lake Victoria

“…SWEWS can be fit to accommodate basic cell phone functionalities and cell service can be strengthened over Lake Victoria so that warnings may be received on the water. 34 There is also a need for investment in basic water safety infrastructure including walls, fences and signs that keep children and other vulnerable individuals away from dangerous areas. Where people congregate around the water, lifeguards are needed to supervise activity and perform rescues.…”

Taking the HIGHWAY to Save Lives on Lake Victoria

“…It is extremely difficult to get baseline fatalities, as reliable statistics on drownings and boat accidents do not exist across all three countries, and because many incidents simply go unreported. The baseline analysis conducted surveys and interviews with relevant local representatives, and complemented these with local focus group discussions, along with re-analysis of previous studies (Kobusingye et al, 2017;Tushemereirwe et al 2017;Whitworth et al, 2019). These analyses indicated that the number of people who die on the lake is likely lower than the previous 3000-5000/year estimates, estimated at 1500/year, due to more routine use of life jackets, the trend towards larger boats and reduction of boats going out in bad weather.…”

“…Recent surveys of inhabitants along the lake suggest that the majority of drownings happened to fishermen and small boat lake travelers (Kobusingyea et al 2017;Whitworth et al 2019). Stormy weather and lightning, strong winds and waves, and boat overloading (Tushemereirwe et al 2017) are the most frequently cited factors that cause the boats to capsize. Lake Victoria (LV) is a critical freshwater resource for the region as Lake Victoria Basin (LVB; Fig.…”

Climate risk communication of navigation safety and climate conditions over Lake Victoria basin: Exploring perceptions and knowledge of indigenous communities

“…For instance, Gabrielsson, Brogaard, and Jerneck (2013) used a variety of focus groups, interviews, and mapping of seasonal calendars in order to understand local indigenous knowledge of Kenyan and Tanzanian farmers who operate in Lake Victoria Basin, particularly their perceptions of climate-induced stressors and vulnerability. Another study used interviews and semi-structured questionnaires as a "people-centered" approach for designing and implementing early warning systems for safety on Lake Victoria (Tushemereirwe et al, 2017). Such studies illustrate that qualitative methods can be integrated as a participatory conceptual framework.…”

“…In addition to studies focused on perceptions of climate systems and services, researchers have particularly focused on the significance of integrating indigenous and scientific climate knowledge (Kalanda-Joshua, Ngongondo, Chipeta, Mpembeka, 2011), as well as ways in which indigenous climate knowledge connects with climate science (Orlove, Roncoli, Kabugo, & Majugu, 2010). Such studies indicate that local indigenous knowledge is critical to dealing with the uncertainty of climate change (Ogalleh, Vogel, Eitzinger, & Hauser, 2012) and improving wellbeing (Opio, Muyonga, & Mulumba, 2013;Tushemereirwe, Tuhebwe, Cooper, & D'ujanga, 2017). In the context of Africa, recent studies have reported on the significance of indigenous knowledge, experiences, and, perceptions of climate change for understanding climate change variability, mitigation, and adaption (Codjoe, Owusu, & Burkett, 2014;.Mapfumo, Mtambanengwe, & Chikowo, 2016;Nyong, Adesina, & Elasha, 2007;Speranza, Kiteme, Ambenje, Wiesmann, & Makali, 2010).…”