China has provided Nepal with a cloud-based, customized version of its national early warning meteorological system, MAZU, to support search and rescue efforts following a deadly cross-border landslide on August 26th. This was announced by Guo Jiakun, spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on Thursday.
What is MAZU?
MAZU, developed by the China Meteorological Administration (CMA), is an AI-powered weather early warning platform. It integrates satellite, ground observation, and forecasting data using AI to generate over 200 types of meteorological service products. This system has been implemented in adapted versions in seven countries, and over 40 countries use it via cloud services.
Meteorological Support for Nepal
During a press briefing, Guo noted that after the natural disaster, the CMA immediately contacted the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology of Nepal. The parties held video consultations and exchanged real-time data. Guo stated: 'The CMA urgently developed an adapted cloud version of the MAZU system and transferred it to Nepal for trial use to provide meteorological support for Nepal's rescue and humanitarian efforts.' The system was delivered on August 31st.
Since the disaster, the CMA has also established a dedicated support group for Nepal, providing daily monitoring and forecast reports in English. China's Ministry of Water Resources continuously shares hydrological data with Nepal. Guo emphasized that Nepal highly appreciated China's support, noting that it 'reflects the great friendship between the two neighbors.' China will continue to assist Nepal's emergency response efforts. The disaster, caused by the collapse of a high-altitude glacier in Nepal, resulted in a large number of casualties and left thousands of people missing.