Japan to provide $3.48 million to Pakistan for flood warning system

Flood forecasting system using satellite-based rainfall data will be installed in Pakistan’s government agencies.


July 15, 2011

ISLAMABAD: Japan will grant assistance of about US $3.48 million for a project for strengthening flood warning and management capacity of Pakistan.

The official notes for this project were signed and exchanged on Tuesday between Hiroshi Oe, Ambassador of Japan to Pakistan and Dr Kozue Kay Nagata, Representative of UNESCO in Pakistan.

In the project, flood forecasting system using satellite-based rainfall data will be installed in Pakistan’s government agencies such as Pakistan Metrological Department, Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPPARCO) and Federal Flood Commission.

The system “Integrated Flood Analysis System (IFAS)”, has been developed by a Japanese research institute called the International Centre for Water Hazard and Risk Management (ICHARM), for more effective and efficient flood forecasting in the developing countries where enough ground-based rainfall data cannot be ensured.

Additionally, ICHARM will conduct training for the staff members of the agencies concerned to utilize JFAS and convey flood warning to the residents of the Indus River basin.

Through this project Pakistan will strengthen the capacity of flood forecasting and hazard map-making in the Indus River basin so that loss of lives and properties from floods in the future can be reduced significantly and the residents of the flood hazard areas can live in peace even in the monsoon season, said a statement issued.

At the signing ceremony, the Japanese Ambassador hoped that Japan and Pakistan, each affected by unprecedented disasters, would be able to realize reconstruction as soon as possible through mutual support and encouragement.

He further hoped that the knowledge of disaster management would be shared by the two countries, enabling them to work together to build disaster-resistant nations that can better protect the well-being of the respective countries.

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