About the project

 

Video National drought platform and warnings

The aim of the project is to establish and develop a Swiss-wide drought monitoring and warning system. This is in addition to the federal government's existing natural hazard information and warning services and is based on the Federal Council Decree of 22 May 2022 (de, fr, it). Three specialist federal agencies are involved: the Federal Office for the Environment FOEN (hydrology, forest, warnings), the Federal Office of Meteorology and Climatology MeteoSwiss (monitoring and forecasting, soil moisture, warnings) and the Federal Office of Topography swisstopo (satellite data).

The monitoring and warning system was created to inform authorities, sectors and the public about drought risks at an early stage so that appropriate preparations can be made. This drought platform has been set up as part of this system. It provides comprehensive information on the current drought situation as well as on past events and forecasts going forward. Warnings are also issued when necessary.

The drought platform will be extended from 2025. A nationwide soil moisture monitoring network is being set up as part of the project, and the warning system will be developed and optimised in collaboration with stakeholders. There are also plans to incorporate other relevant variables such as snow and reservoir levels on an ongoing basis. Developments will also focus on impacts and their relationship to the influencing factors. Close dialogue with international partners will be maintained.

There are plans to introduce a reporting requirement for the cantons from 2027. This will also be processed on this platform.