The Government of Japan has decided to extend grant assistance of about $3.48 million for the project for strengthening flood warning and management capacity of Pakistan. The official notes for the project were signed and exchanged here on Tuesday between Hiroshi Oe, the Ambassador of Japan to Pakistan and Dr Kozue Kay Nagata, Representative of the UNESCO in Pakistan.
In the project, flood forecasting system using satellite-based rainfall data will he installed in Pakistan's government agencies such as Pakistan Metrological Departments, Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission and Federal Flood Commission.
The system called Integrated Flood Analysis System (IFAS) has been developed by a Japanese research institute called the International Center 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 utilise IFAS and convey flood warning to the residents of the hides' river basin. Through the project, the Government of' 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 will be reduced significantly.
The Japanese Ambassador expressed his hope that Japan and Pakistan, each affected by unprecedented disasters, would be able to realise reconstruction as soon as possible through mutual support and encouragement, adding 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.-PR