The principal scientific officer with the Vanuatu Meteorological and Geo-Hazard Department, Philip Mansale, says the department wants to incorporate traditional methods of forecasting the weather.
He says the department has been collecting traditional local weather and climate indicators from around Vanuatu because it feels this information could improve the impact of their forecasts.
Mr Mansale says they want to make use of the traditional tools that people use before planting their gardens or going on sea trips.
"So we feel that it is about time that to reach the maximum number of people at the community level it is time to use tradtional indicators as part of our service, including the climate information, our seasonal focus so that people can really understand and better make use of the services that we provide."
Philip Mansale of Vanuatu Meteorological and Geo-Hazard Department, Philip Mansale
