Météorologie : Comment Riad Kawar est devenu la boussole climatique du Sénégal
An industrialist by profession and a meteorologist by vocation, this Lebanese-Senegalese man has become the digital guardian angel of millions of citizens during the rainy season. Recently elevated to the rank of Knight of the National Order of the Lion, he combines storm chasing with environmental activism.
When the heavy rainy season clouds darken over the Cap-Vert peninsula or the interior regions, the first reflex of many Senegalese has changed. Even before consulting the official bulletin of the National Agency of Civil Aviation and Meteorology (ANACIM), tens of thousands of smartphones open to the same page: "Riad weather".
Riad Kawar, however, never attended a meteorology school. The Lebanese-Senegalese industrialist, general manager of the Fabrimetal steelworks in Dakar, spends his days surrounded by steel, but since childhood, he has always had his gaze fixed on the clouds. What began as a childhood fascination has, over the years, transformed into a genuine commitment to civic duty. From a very young age, Riad observed, noted, and learned to decipher the formation of a storm cell with the same ease with which one recognizes a familiar face on the street.
Storm chaser at the service of the people
Initially, his weather reports were limited to simple warning messages sent to close friends and family: "It's going to rain heavily tonight, be careful." Gradually, his small circle of friends expanded to WhatsApp groups, then to a Facebook community that now boasts over 164,000 followers on its dedicated page, not counting the 86,000 loyal followers of his personal account.
Riad Kawar's strength lies in his hands-on approach. Refusing to remain solely behind computer screens, he doesn't hesitate to get behind the wheel as soon as a storm front is forecast near Thiès or Kaolack. He drives towards the storm, turns on his phone, and starts a live video broadcast. In real time, he explains the wind patterns, the rain's trajectory, and the estimated duration of the rainfall. For residents facing the aftermath of flooding, this alert shared in the middle of the night is often crucial for protecting property and lives.
This daily activity, carried out entirely free of charge for years, has become vital for many groups: artisanal fishermen preparing to set sail, farmers waiting for rain for planting, or market traders anxious to secure their goods
National recognition and environmental awareness
On June 24th, the Nation officially recognized this exceptional citizen. The President of the Republic, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, awarded him the Knight's Cross of the National Order of the Lion, one of Senegal's highest honors. Overwhelmed with emotion, Riad Kawar immediately dedicated this medal to the workers of the land and sea, to the women of the markets and rice paddies, while also paying tribute to his parents who instilled in him a love of hard work and respect for others.
Beyond weather monitoring, this man wages a constant battle for environmental preservation. Committed to fighting desertification and environmental incivility, he has established several tree nurseries across the country to support reforestation campaigns, thus positioning himself as a protector of both the earth and the sky.
Keen to emphasize that he works in partnership with, and not in competition with, ANACIM, Riad Kawar remains first and foremost a community educator who demystifies climatic phenomena. Just recently, he reassured his community with a message imbued with serenity and optimism: “Bulen ragal! Taw xewel la rekk... Sénégal jamm rekk mo fi nek, long live the rain for our farmers! Rain is above all a blessing... there will be no hurricanes in Senegal.” (Fear nothing! Rain is only a blessing... Senegal will know only peace).
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