Natural disaster: Early warning system to be improved

ISLAMABAD: The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) on Friday launched a joint initiative designed to improve the country’s natural disaster early warning system.

WFP Pakistan Acting Country Director Mageed Yahia and Director General PMD Arif Mahmood signed a Letter of Agreement on behalf of their respective organisations. “Pakistan has faced over 150 major natural disasters in the last 65 years, primarily caused by floods, earthquakes, cyclones and drought,” said Mageed. “It is imperative that we have an early warning system of the highest possible calibre.” Under the collaboration, media awareness workshops will be conducted on early warning practice and strengthening warning messages through radio. WFP will also work with PMD to expand the existing Automatic Weather Stations (AWS) to Tharparkar and DI Khan.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 6^th, 2011.