The 69th meeting of the joint board of Union State Committee on hydrometeorology and monitoring of environmental pollution is held in Gomel on May 16-17, 2019.  The meeting was opened by Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection of the Republic of Belarus, Andrei Pavlovich Khudyk. He highly appreciated joint work of hydrometeorological services of Belarus and Russia in his welcoming speech and wished all the participants fruitful work.  Agenda of the 69th meeting is very rich. Participants will have to consider questions on the implementation of Union State’s program for 2017–2021 “Development of Union State Hydrometeorological Safety System” on the organization of accounting and monitoring of observational subdivisions and observation networks of Roshydromet, on how to alert government authorities and population when there are threats of adverse and dangerous weather phenomena, on optimization of agrometeorological observation system under the conditions of modernization of hydrometeorological network.  There will also be discussed the issue of developing a concept for Union State program in the field of hydrometeorology and related areas for 2022–2026, as well as  number of other important issues of joint activities within the Union State. Scientific and practical seminar is held in parallel with the meeting of joint board on the topic “Climate change in 21st century, risks and adaptation,” dedicated to the 20th anniversary of Union State creation.  Seminar will feature presentations on following topics: “Heat waves of the cold period of the year in Belarus”, “The role of  climatic factor in  zoning of the territory of Belarus and neighboring states”, “Regional climate features of Belarus and their change over past decades” and “Anthropogenic air pollution and surface ozone in cities of Belarus. Among speakers are representatives of Belhydromet, Belarusian State University, Federal State Budgetary Institution “MGO im. A.I. Voeikova, National Research Center for Ozonosphere Monitoring.   The topic of climate change is currently one of the most relevant in the world. The Republic of Belarus is one of signatories to  Paris Agreement, which aims to implement  resolution of UN General Assembly “Transforming our world: Agenda for Sustainable Development until 2030”, and aims to support environmental integrity, renewable energy, green economy, technology transfer, climate change mitigation and adaptation to changing climate.   

   Dear friends!  Tragic date in the history of Belarus is approaching - another anniversary of the largest technological catastrophe not only in the territory of the former Soviet Union, but also, in the whole world. The accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant affected fates of millions of people, the scale of the accident was so great that it took heroic efforts by executives of all ranks, professionals, ordinary people to quickly assess the radiation situation, develop technical and managerial solutions aimed at preventing even more serious consequences of the catastrophe and organization of events to save life and health of ppeople. Belhydromet together with other ministries and institutions took part in elimination of consequences of the Chernobyl NPP disaster.  Since 1963 Belarus have measured gamma-radiation dose rate (MD) at a network of hydrometeorological stations, and then control points for radioactive fallout from the atmosphere were introduced (natural precipitation from the atmosphere was sampled using horizontal plates). Radiation monitoring network available in 1986 made it possible to estimate dynamics of gamma-radiation dose rate levels and iodine-131 and cesium-137 concentrations in the air in first days after the Chernobyl disaster. One of the most important and urgent areas in the aftermath of the accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in Belarus was the organization of work to assess radioactive contamination of the territory and phased creation of radiation monitoring system. In order of Belhydromet No. 80 dated 05/19/1986 in connection with the expansion of work on  control of radioactive contamination of south-eastern territory of the BSSR at Minsk Center for Radiation Control and Environmental Pollution Research (CRVP) organized laboratory for control of radioactive contamination in order to strengthen and expand radiation monitoring work. Radiation and radiation-environmental monitoring departments have been established on the basis of Minsk CRSPS with spectrometry laboratories, radiation monitoring of surface waters, soil and atmospheric air. In 1986 soil sampling was organized in contaminated areas near the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, in which took part specialists from the center. For these purposes helicopters were chartered in Moscow and sets of protective clothing were purchased.  On the basis of data on density of radioactive contamination of the territory of Belarus, obtained as a result of expeditionary surveys, already in June 1986, Institute of Nuclear Energy of the Academy of Sciences of BSSR (now State Institute of Nuclear Physics and Electronics-Sosny) prepared first radioactive contamination map of the territory of the republic with cesium-137, where directly took part Behydromet specialists. In 1987, together with Moscow specialists, an expedition was conducted to examine water bodies polluted as a result of the Chernobyl accident. Expedition was carried out on ship of Gomel Shipping Company. Through Belhydromet laboratory passed a huge stream of samples of natural objects, taken in south-eastern part of Belarus, and then throughout the territory of the republic. Test results of samples were analyzed for accuracy, systematized and recorded first on paper, then in specialized electronic database.  To ensure compliance with unified methodological guidance for assessment of radioactive contamination, coordination of data obtained by various departments Council of Ministers of Belarussian SSR No. 555 from 12/12/1989 established an Interdepartmental Commission for Radiation Control of Natural Environment at Belhydromet. In 1991, The Law of the Republic of Belarus “On legal regime of territories subjected to radioactive contamination as a result of the Chernobyl NPP disaster” was adopted, in which functions of Belhydromet were legislatively fixed: conducting general assessment of radiation situation in the republic (radiation monitoring), maintaining data bank on radioactive contamination of the territory of the Republic of Belarus. During this period Belhydromet organized large-scale radiation survey of populated areas of the Republic of Belarus including a household survey of populated areas located in radioactively contaminated area (territories with 137Cs contamination levels 37 kBq / m2 (1 Ci / km2) and more). Survey results were systematized, analyzed and used in zoning the territory of the republic according to levels of radioactive contamination. According to the Law of the Republic of Belarus No. 258-З from 12.05.1999. “On introducing changes and amendments to the Law of the Republic of Belarus“ On the legal regime of territories subjected to radioactive contamination as a result of the disaster at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant ”at least once every 5 years on the basis of updated data is updated and approved by the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus related to radioactively contaminated areas.  The project of the List and maps of zones of radioactive contamination is being prepared by Belhydromet specialists. The adopted zoning is effectively used in planning and carrying out measures to minimize consequences of the disaster at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant and ensure radiation safety of population. Since 1987, Belhydromet conducts regular observations of radioactive contamination of rivers of Dnieper basin - Pripyat, Dnieper, Sozh, Iput, Besed, and since 1993 - observations of vertical migration of radionuclides on the network of landscape-geochemical sites located on various soil types.  Our specialists participated in number of international programs of European Commission, including preparation of Atlas of European Pollution with Cesium-137; international project of Franco-German Chernobyl Initiative “Radioecological Consequences of the Chernobyl Accident”.  As part of implementation of measures of Joint Action Program to Overcome Consequences of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in framework of the Union State uniform technical documents were developed in 1997–2010 for two states to monitor environmental radioactive contamination, thematic Atlas of current and forecasted aspects of the accident in affected areas of Russia and Belarus the radiation situation in the border areas of Russia and Belarus has been clarified United States. Databases were formed based on the results of the survey of Polesye State Radiation and Ecological Reserve. Measuring equipment and computer equipment acquired at the expense of the Allied programs allowed us to raise radiation monitoring and environmental monitoring to a higher level.  For the past 33 years, the republic has been doing everything possible to mitigate consequences of the Chernobyl accident, to return part of radioactively contaminated land to economic use, and to provide social protection to affected population.  Currently radiation monitoring in the Republic of Belarus is carried out as part of National Environmental Monitoring System in the Republic of Belarus. Collection, processing, analysis, and storage of the results of observations are carried out using modern information technology. Archival data on radiation situation is used to prepare certificates on the density of radioactive contamination of populated areas, which are necessary to providing social protection bodies with social benefits, including pensions. Certificates are issued free of charge when the applicant contacts Belhydromet. On the eve of the anniversary of the Chernobyl accident we gratefully remember former and current employees of Belhydromet, who showed dedication and high professionalism in the most difficult conditions of the first period of elimination of the consequences of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant: Pokumeyko Y.M., Gruk P.V., Skuratovich I.M., Rudneva S.P., Matveenko I.I., Solenov I.P., Sych V.N., Polishchuk A.I., Khamitsevich N.R., Bakhirev V.N., Nikolaychik V.I., Kotov A.P., Shagalova E.D., Rovkach A.I., Kuznetsov E.D., Ponomarenko B.A., Pivovar P.A., Patokin A.I., Kozlovsky A.V., Klimenok A.I., Tishchikov G.M., Nikishina T.A., Obraz M.E., Berlovich S.V., Samsonov V.L., Germenchuk M.G., Zhukova O.M., Ambrazhevich M.L., Petrovsky O.M., Pliner E.R., Leitus A.I., Soroka A.V., Demenchuk M.A., Kovalev N.P., Korobko V.I., Mastibrotsky P.E., Shutko A.G., Popov V.V., Gurnovsky A.S., Zubov M.N., Ponomarenko B.I., arfenov V.V.,  Sushchenya V.V., Maksyuta O.M., Guzilevich S.A. and many others ... Not all of them have status of a liquidator, but their role in eliminating and minimizing consequences of the disaster at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, in the establishment and development of radiation monitoring of environment in the Republic of Belarus is invaluable. 

 World earth day is celebrated annually on April 22. It’s a day of our common cozy home. The holiday was established on 63rd General Assembly UN in 2009 and it’s celebrated from 2010.  Tradition to celebrate on April 22 was born in USA in 1970; it is an international action from 1990. In northern hemisphere, Earth Day is celebrated in spring, and in Southern hemisphere holiday is celebrated in autumn. The main purpose of this global action is to draw attention of society and every person to Earth problems. On the eve of the holiday and on this date various events are organized - “actions on environmental protection” are held in the form of traditional spring subbotniks, when it is customary to clean up, plant trees and participate in rallies and demonstrations. As all over the world in our country people improve territory of cities, carry out large-scale tree plantings, plant flowers. Planting trees in public places has become a good tradition. Nowadays Earth day has become a large movement where people of all ages and nations take part. The idea of celebration is to draw attention of planet’s population to negative impacts of scientific and technological progress on the environment. Everyone can go out and take part in the improvement and landscaping of their yards and streets.  This year staff of Belhydromet also contributed to greening and cleaning of the country.  Within the framework of republican community work day head of Belhydromet Raman Labaznau, together with representatives of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection of the Republic of Belarus with teachers and students of Feodosiy Kirichenko’s Gymnasium №9 and secondary school №26 of Grodno took part in planting greenery in Grodno. First deputy head of Belhydromet Oleg Klimovich supported action for improvement of small homeland. On April 20 together with heads of enterprises and organizations of Pervomaisky district and administration, owner of honorary title of “Minsk resident of the year” and representatives of deputies' corps he took part in laying an oak alley dedicated to 50th anniversary of Pervomaisky district of Minsk in Zelenyy Lug at the crossing Karbysheva and Sedyh.    Employees of Belhydromet also took part in a large-scale republican action Following the example of leaders. Volunteer team held a work day on the territory of Belhydromet.  Some workers were involved in improvement of yard area of Belgidromet: they cleaned last year’s dry foliage and garbage, while others cleaned up building: washed windows and cleaned rooms.   Good weather and united actions of friendly team made it possible to cope with a large amount of work quickly and efficiently. They did their best: they put things in order and recharged themself  with positive energy! By the way, an interesting fact: this year the tradition of Saturday work celebrated exactly 100 years. The first event of such work was organized on April 12 in 1919 at the depot Moscow-Sortirovochnay of Moscow-Kazan railway.  

International conference “EUMETSAT Information Day for Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia” (European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites) was held on April 10-11 in Nur-Sultan. Event was organized by EUMETSAT in cooperation with Kazhydromet under the Ministry of energy of Qazaqstan. The meeting held in high level with the participation of permanent WMO representatives and heads of national hydrometeorological services.  The purpose of the Information Day is to enable NHMSs of Central Asia, Caucasus and Eastern Europe to maximize the benefits of the operational use of data and products provided by EUMETSAT  satellites. In frames of this event participants familiarized with information on the current state of EUMETSAT satellite programs, their contribution to EU Copernicus program and also exchanged views on use of satellite meteorological data, discussed follow-up actions and further support of operational access and use of EUMETSAT data and products. In frames of event first deputy head Oleg Klimovich and chief of international cooperation and public affairs service Anna Matsevilo visited Kazhydromet for the purpose of cooperation issues discussion and implementation of activities in frames signed Protocol of intention of cooperation in field of hydrometeorology and environmental monitoring between Belgidromet and Kazgidromet. 

  “The Weather in your Pocket” developed jointly with the Geographic Information Systems UE of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus mobile application of Belhydromet was released on Play Market platform on April 3, 2019. The first test version was have been published in December 2018, Within 4 months of testing large number of reviews were collected and processed. Most of them were taken into account. In new version has improved stability, possibility to select size of widget to be placed on the screen of electronic device, description of symbols and abbreviations used in application. You can install application according to LINK or you can scan QR code with camera of mobile device.   

  Belhydromet took part in the project of informing students “Step into the Future”, which is carried out on the basis of the state institution “Minsk City Center for Social Services for Family and Children”. The project “Step into the Future” is supposed to help the development of career guidance programs for young people: to orient with the choice of a future specialty and to understand the ocean of professions and education institutions.    The goal is to increase the level of professional maturity by immersing participants in an atmosphere of professional self-determination and real professional samples. The project involves interactive acquaintance of students with professions of leading industries, conversations with representatives of individual professions, develops students' ability to adapt professionally in modern conditions. 

  The Minsk City Committee for Natural Resources and Environmental Protection calls on all concerned to take part in global action "Earth Hour" and to turn off the light on March 30 for one hour from 20-30 to 21-30.  Earth Hour is an international action in which the World Wide Fund for Nature calls for turning off the lights and household appliances for one hour as a sign of concern for the future of the planet. At the same time, lights of the most famous buildings and monuments of the world are turned off. This year the action will be held in Belarus for the 11th time. The purpose of Earth Hour is not to save electricity. This promotion is a symbol of respect for nature. From year to year this event allows drawing attention to the need of responsible attitude to nature. Today, Earth Hour is the most massive environmental event on the planet. Last year more than 2 million people from 187 countries of the world took part in it, the lighting of more than 3,100 architectural sites was turned off. In Belarus events took place in 22 localities, the lighting of the central architectural sites was turned off. Last year illumination of National Library, National Academic Bolshoi Opera and Ballet Theater, Yanka Kupala National Academic Theater, Belarusian State Philharmonic Society, National State Museum of the History of Great Patriotic War, as well as more than 250 architectural highlights were turned off in Minsk.  Since this is an absolutely voluntary action, people decide for themselves how many and which devices they turn off, and the city authorities initiate switching off the illumination of city objects. For security reasons organizers of the action do not recommend to turn off street lighting, aeronautical lights and traffic lights. Turning off lights for an hour is not difficult, but even behind such a symbolic action is an opportunity to help the planet by changing its daily habits. How? For example, it is reasonable consumption of electricity and heat, water and recycling paper and other materials. It reduces greenhouse gas emissions - the main cause of current climate change, which corresponds to the provisions of Presidential Directive No. 3 of June 14, 2007 of the year. 

  Festive event took place in Belhydromet on March 22, 2019 devoted to two important dates at once - the World Meteorological Day and Day of Hydrometeorological Service of the Republic of Belarus.  Belhydromet team gathers every year in a cozy assembly hall for a solemn event. Like any serious event it starts with the anthem. In Belhydromet it started with hymn of the Hydrometeorological Service, whose words touches the soul: “The country can sleep in peace with people like in Hydrometeorological Service!”. And indeed, our people are wonderful! Number of warm words addressed to the team is a confirmation!    The event was opened by Oleg Klimovich, First Deputy Head of Belhydromet. He voiced the congratulation of the Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection of the Republic of Belarus Andrei Pavlovich Khudyk on his professional holiday - the Day of Workers of the Meteorological Service of the Republic of Belarus. On behalf of management and personally, Oleg Leonidovich congratulated employees of Belhydromet and veterans of hydrometeorological service on their professional holiday and presented awards of Belgidromet to especially distinguished workers.  Congratulatory words were also heard from the chairman of the primary trade union organization Natalia Olekhnovich, who in turn handed the Trade Union Acknowledgments to active members of the trade union organization.  Start of concert was next. The first part of the concert program included performances of young and talented workers of Belhydromet — radio-metric engineer of radio-spectrometry department Ruslan Dubaylo and hydrologist of water regime study department Maksim Vasilko.    Then the program was joined by professionals - singer Yury Volpov, accompanied by wonderful soloist Angelica Zhemchuzhnaya. They gave the audience great popular songs.   The most enchanting was appearance at the event of a famous pop singer and composer Tariel Maysuradze. A singer invited to the event broke the squall of applause.    The whole program was dedicated to employees and veterans of hydrometeorological service, and therefore songs were mainly about the weather, spring and, of course, love! The hall was warm and friendly. As part of the festive event, supporting the annual tradition, an exhibition of creativity devoted to the theme of World Meteorological Day-2019 “Sun, Earth and Weather” was organized in the lobby at the entrance to the assembly hall. The exhibition featured works of decorative applied art and fine art made by workers and children of Belhydromet employees. This time more than 40 people took part in the exhibition. Presented works became a wonderful addition to the holiday, impressed visitors of the exhibition and left bright sunshine in everyone’s soul.  The holiday succeeded! Thanks to the administration and the trade union committee for organizing the holiday, and to everyone who took part, thanks for the excellent mood! With a professional holiday, dear colleagues!     The exhibition of children's and adult creativity, devoted to the World Meteorological Day: 

 Almost everyone knows about the existence of Earth Day. Varieties of events are held in honor of the holiday - both on a local and global scale. Slogans, speeches and lectures are organized. But at the same time, the question almost every year is on which date is Earth Day. The year 2019 was no exception.   The fact is that the holiday itself is timed to the day of the vernal equinox, and, consequently, its date may occasionally changes.  In 2019 Earth Day is celebrated on March 20th. The date of the holiday was chosen and approved by the UN in 1971not occasionally. On the day of the vernal equinox biological rhythm of the planet changes and it moves to a new stage of its development, at this moment nature is awaked and  renewed.   The holiday has peacekeeping and humanistic orientation. The purpose of the World Earth Day is to draw attention of governments and ordinary people of different professions and ages to the fact that our planet, despite its seemingly enormous size and seemingly inexhaustible resources, is actually a small and fragile creation by standards of the Universe, because its ecosystems are very vulnerable. This heavenly body can be saved only by people unit from environmental catastrophe and destruction.  According to the established tradition every year within the framework of Earth Day in the vast majority of countries it is imperative to ring the Bell of Peace, which is a symbol of peaceful life, friendship and solidarity of all nations, and a call to action in the name of preserving culture and the best achievements of mankind. And the meaning of this ceremony is that during this minute, people should think about how to preserve our beautiful planet, how to improve life on it, to feel like inhabitants and part of the Earth. The first Bell of the World was cast in 1954 in commemoration of  tragedy of Japanese cities that survived the nuclear bombing, and was installed at the UN headquarters in New York. It cast from coins collected by children of all continents, orders and medals and other honorary signs of people of many countries are also fused into it. The inscription on the Bell says: "Long live universal peace throughout the world."  Earth Day has its own flag with the image of one of the first photographs of our planet from space. This is a sign of awareness that only joint efforts can solve global environmental and social problems on Earth. Therefore, it is no coincidence that this holiday is actively supported by astronauts. After all, they were the first to tell the world how beautiful and defenseless our planet is, and how it needs the care of all of us.     

On March 4, 2019 representatives of Belhydromet took part in a press conference organized by Belarusian Telegraph Agency (BELTA). The head of Belhydromet Raman Labaznau, chif of meteorological forecast service of Belhydromet Aliaksandr Behanski and chief of department of agrometeorology of service of hydrology and agrometeorology Ekaterina Istomina took part in press conference. Experts shared plans of improvement of hydrometeorological activities and As well as the quality of forecasts, and analyzed the prevailing weather conditions and their impact on crops of agricultural crops, announced a preliminary forecast for the spring period.