The World Bank has contracted us for two projects in order to help Malawi address its looming water-related challenges. The projects (cumulatively worth USD 5.5 million) will help forecast floods and droughts as well as enable sustainable water use through a licencing system.
Like many African countries, Malawi faces increasing challenges with respect to both flooding and water scarcity, caused by its growing population, economic development and climate change. The World Bank awarded us the contracts for projects, which will effectively help Malawi overcome these challenges.
In the Operational Decision Support System (ODSS) project, we’ll create an integrated, short-term meteorological, hydrological and hydraulic flood forecasting and warning system. These are based on MIKE CUSTOMISED REALTIME and our MIKE by DHI software suite. This water management system will help decision-makers issue early warnings and mitigate the adverse impacts of flooding, through better operational water management. It’ll also support sound decision-making related to optimal water use through dedicated scenario analyses.
In the second project, we’ll support sustainable water use through the creation of a water licencing and permit system, based upon an integrated water data management system. The main aspects of this project include:
- a nationwide licencing campaign focusing on the identification and registration for major water users
- an IT system based on MIKE CUSTOMISED IMS, covering water user registration, billing and collection (debt tracking)
- training and capacity building to install, operate and maintain the system
Both projects are part of the Shire River Basin Management Program (SRBMP) – a World Bank development initiative to enable sustainable use of Malawi’s largest river. The goal of the SRBMP is to increase sustainable social, economic and environmental benefits by effectively and collaboratively planning, developing and managing the Shire River Basin’s natural resources.
The projects will be delivered in partnership with the Malawi authorities as well as with other stakeholders.