Dhaka: The World Meteorological Day is being observed in the country as elsewhere across the globe on Wednesday.

The theme of the day year is ‘Hotter, Drier, Wetter: Face the Future’, illustrating the reality of climate change.

The day focuses on the fact that unless urgent actions are taken to cut carbon dioxide emission, there will be an increasing trend of temperature and the frequency and intensity of extreme events will accelerate.

World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), established in 1873 after assuming the responsibilities of former International Metrological Organisation (IMO), observes 23 March as the World Meteorological Day every year in all 188 member countries to facilitate international collaboration in meteorological, including coordinated observations and standardised instrumentation and better forecasting.

Meanwhile, President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages on the occasion.

In his message, the President said, ‘I believe that the theme of the World Meteorological Day 2016, ‘Hotter, Drier, Wetter: Face The Future' will surely make us aware for reducing the risk of climate change. I hope people from all strata will run environment-friendly activities for keeping clean weather and making the globe habitat.’

In her message, the Prime Minister said, ‘Bangladesh is one of the most disaster-prone countries of the world owing to its geographical location. Both the frequency and intensity of disasters are increasing day by day and also, the pattern of the seasons is being disturbed due to climate change.’

She expressed the hope that keeping the vision of Digital Bangladesh in mind, modernisation of weather services and continuous development of an effective early warning system will help reduce the losses of lives and property from natural disasters.