How does WMO disseminate data relating to natural hazards to the communities concerned?
• In the case of tropical cyclones, six WMO Regional Specialized Meteorological Centres (RSMCs) provide support for a specific region in the world. Atmospheric and oceanic data are collected via in situ and space-based instruments by the countries and transmitted through WMO’s Global Telecommunication System (GTS) to RSMCs, where round-the-clock forecasts and tropical cyclone advisories are developed. Advisories are then transmitted over the GTS, facsimile and Internet at intervals of three to six hours to the NMHSs of countries at risk. Forecasters use these advisories to produce national tropical cyclone warnings, which are dispatched immediately to newspapers, radio and television stations, emergency services and other users. Responsibility for issuing warnings rests with the NMS of the country concerned. In response to this information by decision-makers and disaster preparedness entities, many lives have been spared through timely measures, including evacuations. Beyond these natu
