Meteorological scientists began a two-day seminar here on Wednesday emphasising the need for more research-based climate modelling through the SAARC Meteorological Research Centre (SMRC) to cope with climate change. SAARC member states are incurring losses of millions of dollars every year due to frequent meteorological catastrophes such as tropical cyclones, storm surges, severe thunderstorms and nor'westers, they said. They observed that regional cooperation among the SAARC member states must be strengthened utilising respective resources to face the climate change. The seminar on 'Nor'wester and Tornadoes over the SAARC and their Forecasting and Preparedness' organised by SMRC of the Ministry of Defence in its conference hall here. Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Md Touhid Hossain inaugurated the seminar as the chief guest, while Secretary of the Ministry of Defence Kamrul Hasan was present as the special guest. Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Defence Brigadier General Shah Md Sultan Uddin Iqbal and head of synoptic division of the SMRC Dr Nazrul Islam were present. Representatives of meteorological scientists from the SAARC member states also participated in it. Touhid Hossain said the entire SAARC region is one of the most disaster-prone areas of the world and the disaster risk is gradually increasing with increasing population. He said an efficient disaster management system along with proper measures for climate change adaptation and mitigation is required for sustainable environment and livelihood. Kamrul Hasan said about 300 to 500 people die in thunderstorms every year in Bangladesh. He said the government has given top priority to regional cooperation for facing climate change in a coordinated manner. Sultan Uddin Iqbal, who is also chairman of SMRC governing board, said Bangladesh, India, Nepal are badly affected by thunderbolts, tornadoes and nor'westers. He stressed the need for executing research-based modelling on climate change coordinated by the SAARC member states for tackling climate change impacts. The speakers underscored the need for better climate change forecasting by assimilating modern remote sensing platforms such as Doppler radar and satellites for accurate meteorological forecasting and timely warning of the impending calamities. Talking to BSS, Dr Nazrul Islam said in view of looming impact of climate change, the government has taken a 10-year implementation plan under the framework of Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS) to improve sustainable water resource management in Bangladesh. The GEOSS will help improve the country's water resources management through sharing data and information system as part of regional cooperation among the South Asian countries, he said. Dr Nazrul Islam said as part of the move, Asian Water Cycle Initiative (AWCI) under the GEOSS, a comprehensive environmental data and information provider worldwide, has selected Bangladesh's Meghna river basin as a model basin.