Designing and Localising a Climate Services Information System for Impact-Based Forecasting in Lesotho

Authors

Khobatha Setetemela, National University of Lesotho, Lesotho

Lebajoa Mphatsi, National University of Lesotho, Lesotho

Pitso Mothibe, National University of Lesotho, Lesotho

Pholoho Hlaha, National University of Lesotho, Lesotho

Retsepile 'Neko, Lesotho Meteorological Services, Lesotho

Rammolenyane Lethaha, Lesotho Meteorological Services, Lesotho

Joalane Marunye, National University of Lesotho, Lesotho

Published in

IST-Africa 2026 Conference Proceedings

ISSN: 2576-8581

ISBN: 978-1-905824-76-2

DOI: https://doi.org/10.67725/IST-Africa.2026.BQWY1962

Publisher

IST-Africa Institute and IIMC International Information Management Corporation Ltd

Published in Ireland

Abstract

Lesotho faces increasingly frequent climate-related hazards, yet a persistent operational gap remains between meteorological forecasts and sector-ready, impact-based advisories. This paper aims to bridge that gap by designing, localising, and evaluating the Climate Services Information System (CSIS), a national digital platform that operationalises impact-based forecasting within Lesotho's multi-hazard early warning architecture. Using an agile systems engineering approach, we elicited requirements through multi-sector engagement (meteorology, disaster management, and line ministries), translated these into SOP-aligned workflows, and implemented a modular solution that integrates a Nextcloud-based collaboration workspace with a GeoNode-based dissemination and archiving layer, backed by PostgreSQL. Key lessons learnt include the value of encoding institutional approval chains into enforceable digital workflows, maintaining clear governance boundaries between internal co-production and public dissemination, and selecting adaptable open-source components that can be hosted locally and tuned for constrained connectivity. CSIS strengthens structured collaboration and transparency in advisory production while enabling faster dissemination of validated, impact-based products. Results from role-based User Acceptance Testing on production-grade infrastructure show 100% system availability, 2.59s dashboard load time, 93% end-to-end workflow completion, support for 28 concurrent users, and 100% automated publication success to GeoNode, with only four non-critical issues encountered and resolved during testing.

Keywords

Climate Services Information System (CSIS); Impact-Based Forecasting (IBF); Early Warning Systems (EWS); Multi-hazard advisories; Systems engineering; Nextcloud; GeoNode; Climate resilience; Lesotho

Cite this paper

K. Setetemela, L. Mphatsi, P. Mothibe, P. Hlaha, R. 'Neko, R. Lethaha and J. Marunye (2026) "Designing and Localising a Climate Services Information System for Impact-Based Forecasting in Lesotho", IST-Africa 2026 Conference Proceedings, Miriam Cunningham and Paul Cunningham (Eds), IST-Africa Institute and IIMC, 2026, ISSN: 2576-8581, ISBN: 978-1-905824-76-2, https://doi.org/10.67725/IST-Africa.2026.BQWY1962

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