Lives of locals living on the banks of the river are at risk due to the absence of the early warning system.
PHOTO: MUHAMMAD JAVAID
Lives of locals living on the banks of the river are at risk due to the absence of the early warning system.
Residents fear for life as water levels surge in Gilgit River
Talking to The Express Tribune, an official at the Met Office, requesting anonymity, said NADRA has assured that within a week the frequency will be reallocated to PMD, earlier taken to run the Safe City Project without informing the Met office.
“Hopefully within a week the Flood Forecasting Warning System (FFWS) Network for Nullah Leh will be functional,” he added.
The official further said that the FFWS Network for Nullah Leh was installed in 2006 by PMD.
Earlier, chairman National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) called a meeting on June 15 to discuss the issue.
During the meeting, he was informed by DG Met Office that the early warning system installed at Nullah Leh was virtually dysfunctional. The Chairman NDMA directed the concerned officials to resolve the issue on a war footing before the onset of monsoon season.
When contacted Director General Met Office Dr Ghulam Rasul said that soon after the meeting, the Met Office received a message from the top officials of the Safe City Project that they were ready to return the frequency to them.
Monsoon preparation: Prepare for rains, possible floods, CM tells officials
He further said that the early warning system is being used to alert people by early warning alarms to move away from Nullah Leh when the water rises beyond the danger level.
He also informed that Chief Minister Punjab may soon arrange financial resources to replace three outdated weather radars at Lahore, Sialkot and Mangla.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 19th, 2016.
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