From 11 to 13 March, a three-day practical training workshop was held in the city of Türkmenabat, Lebap Velayat, for specialists from Turkmenistan’s hydrometeorological service. The sessions focused on the use of modern SEBA hydrological equipment. The event is part of the regional CRM CA programme and forms one of its key adaptation measures.
The training was attended by 20 hydromet specialists from various regions across the country. The sessions were led by international consultant Christian Haas from “I AM HYDRO”, a company specialising in hydrological measurement technologies and water resource monitoring. In addition to conducting the training, Mr Haas is developing recommendations to improve the monitoring of the Murghab River to strengthen early warning systems for hydrological risks associated with climate change.
On the first day, participants were introduced to the fundamentals of hydrological monitoring, the importance of discharge measurements and water quality control, and the operating principles of SEBA sensors and probes. Particular attention was paid to instrument calibration, data quality assurance, and measurement control standards. In the afternoon, specialists studied the equipment’s design, configuration, and safe operation, including work with Acoustic Doppler Current Profilers (ADCP).
The second day was dedicated to practical application. Participants planned hydrological measurements, selected suitable observation sites, and reviewed safety protocols for working on bodies of water. During the sessions, specialists conducted water discharge measurements at selected sites on the Amu Darya river using ADCP equipment, subsequently comparing results and analysing potential errors or technical malfunctions.
On the final day, participants moved on to advanced measurements and mastered methods for processing and transmitting hydrological data, alongside approaches for verifying the reliability of results. By the end of the three-day course, participants had addressed various technical queries regarding the ongoing integration of this equipment into their daily operations.
Workshops of this nature help to improve the quality of hydrological observations, which plays a vital role in enhancing resilience to climate risks and ensuring the effective management of water resources.
