The WHYCOS programme and the regional HYCOS projects are supported by the scientific and administrative staff of the Hydrology and Water Resources Branch in the Climate and Water Department at WMO.

Under the supervision of the Director of the Climate and Water Department and coordinated by the Chief, Basic Systems in Hydrology Division, each officer is responsible for the implementation of specific projects according to his regional responsibility.

  • Avinash TYAGI
    Director of the Climate and Water Department
  • Bruce STEWART
    Responsible for the overall coordination of the HYCOS projects
  • Tommaso ABRATE
    Senegal, Congo, Sava, AOC, Med, and Baltic (HYCOS Projects)
  • Datius RUTASHOBYA
    Lake Chad and IGAD (HYCOS Projects)
  • Giacomo TERUGGI
    Support development and implementation of all projects
  • Wolfgang GRABS
    Mekong, Arctic, Hindu-Kush-Himalaya, and Aral (HYCOS projects)
  • Gabriel ARDUINO
    La Plata and Amazon (HYCOS Projects)
  • Claudio CAPONI
    Support Capacity Building component in all Projects

WHYCOS EXECUTIVE TEAM (see more info here)

Julius WELLENS MENSAH

Chief, Basic Systems in Hydrology Division

The big boss of the organisation. Don’t mess with this guy.

Tommaso ABRATE

Scientific Officer

Mr Tommaso Abrate joined WMO in 1994 as Junior Professional Officer in the Technical Cooperation Department. In 1997 he moved to the Hydrology and Water Resources Department and since then has been working in support of the WHYCOS programme, notably with the Med-HYCOS and AOC-HYCOS projects. Currently, he is involved in the development of Senegal-HYCOS, and Sava-HYCOS.

He holds a B. Sc in geology from Turin University in 1988, a postgraduate diploma in environmental engineering from Turin Polytechnic in 1991 and a M. Sc. in hydrology and hydrogeology from University Paris VI “Pierre et Marie Curie” in 2007.

Tel. +41 22 730 8338

E-mail: tabrate [at] wmo [dot] int

Daniel SIGHOMNOU

Scientific Officer

Mr. Daniel SIGHOMNOU joined the WMO Secretariat in April 2013 as Scientific Officer in the Basic Systems in Hydrology Division. Beforehand he worked as a researcher (1980 – 2005) for the Cameroon Hydrological Research Centre, where he was successively promoted from researcher to Deputy and Head of Centre.

He leaves the Centre in 2005 with the grade of Senior Scientific Research. He was offered a position at the Niger Basin Authority in Niamey, Niger, In July 2005, where he worked as an Expert Consultant in Hydrology until March 2013. Associate professor at several African high schools and universities, he has authored many scientific publications on hydrology.

Mr. SIGHOMNOU holds a Doctorate (2004) in Water Sciences from the University of Yaoundé, Cameroon. He completed PhD studies in Water Sciences and Development in 1986 at USTL University of Montpellier, France, an M.Sc. (1982) in Water Sciences at University of Paris VI, France and an M.Sc. (1980) in Earth Sciences at the University of Yaoundé, Cameroon.

Mr Sighomnou is responsible for the development and supervision of HYCOS proposals and projects in the WMO Regional Association I, Africa

Tel. +41 22 730 8310

E-mail: dsighomnou [at] wmo [dot] int

Paul PILON

Chief, Hydrological Forecasting Division

Gabriel ARDUINO

Scientific Officer

Mr Gabriel Arduino joined WMO in October 1996. He studied Civil Engineering and Hydraulics at Montevideo (Uruguay) and IHE Delft (The Netherlands). Before joining WMO he worked under different responsibilities with the Ministry of Transport and Public Works of Uruguay. He also worked as a consultant on issues connected with hydraulic engineering and water resources both in Uruguay and other South American countries.

In November 1995, he was appointed Professor of the Institute of Fluid Mechanics and Environmental Engineering (IMFIA) of the Engineering Faculty of Montevideo.

Mr. Arduino is responsible for development of HYCOS proposals in the Americas (Regional Associations III & IV).

Tel. +41 22 730 8331

E-mail: garduino [at] wmo [dot] int

Claudio CAPONI

Senior Scientific Officer

Mr Claudio Caponi joined WMO in December 1997. Before joining WMO, he held various positions in the field of hydrology and environment, including that of Director General of Environmental Information for the ministry of Environment and Natural Resources of Venezuela.

He holds a degree in hydrometeorology from Central University of Venezuela, Caracas, and a degree in applied hydrology from IHE Delft (The Netherlands).

Mr. Caponi is responsible for the training aspects of HYCOS projects and harmonization with other WMO initiatives in capacity-building.

Tel. +41 22 730 8407

E-mail: ccaponi [at] wmo [dot] int