Turkmenabat recently hosted a three-day workshop for specialists from Turkmenistan’s hydrometeorological service “Türkmengidromet”. The event was organized under the regional program “Climate Risk Management in Central Asia,” implemented across the region with the support of the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), according to the “Neutral Turkmenistan” newspaper.
During the training, 20 Turkmen specialists studied instruments designed to measure the composition of surface and groundwater, as well as current speeds across entire water columns. Key equipment included the SEBA KLL-Q-2 hydrological analyzer, used for sampling in lakes and reservoirs, and the
Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP).
- Day One: After an introduction to the fundamentals of hydrological monitoring, participants studied the operational principles of SEBA-type hydrological sensors and probes. Particular attention was paid to instrument calibration, data quality assurance, and measurement control standards.
- Day Two: The focus shifted to planning hydrological measurements, selecting appropriate observation sites, and safety protocols for working on water bodies. During field exercises on the Amu Darya River, participants measured water discharge, analyzed potential errors, and practiced troubleshooting technical malfunctions.
- Day Three: The final day was dedicated to data processing and transmission methods, as well as data verification and interpretation.
Vepa Sapardurdyyev, Head of the Hydrology Department at “Türkmengidromet,” noted that the training provided essential support for staff at hydrological posts and weather stations. These specialists are directly responsible for monitoring river flow and recording parameters such as turbidity, temperature, depth, channel width, and flow velocity.
The sessions were led by international consultant Christian Haas from Germany, who is currently involved in developing recommendations to improve monitoring of the Murghab River and early warning systems for potential hydrological events. He noted that discussions regarding the draft project document with “Türkmengidromet” representatives are ongoing, with completion expected by autumn of this year.
The “Climate Risk Management in Central Asia” program is part of the “Green Central Asia” climate and security initiative. ///nCa, 18 March 2026