ISLAMABAD: Taking a step towards installation of an early flood warning and flood forecasting system, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) has approached the Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources (PCRWR) data on soil physics and hydraulic properties for a field survey to characterise the hydrology of Upper Indus and Kabul watersheds.
“For collection of data, soil and water samples will be collected from as many as 100 sites for analysis within the next four-five months, which will be handed over to the UN agency that aims at early flood warning and flood forecasting system,” a PCRWR official said. In this connection, Unesco has signed an agreement with the council.
He explained that the data collected would be an important factor in developing the system, which was already working in advanced countries and helping those take preemptive measures and making contingency strategies well in time. “The system once installed in Pakistan will avert massive devastation that has occurred here over the years and this is mainly due to change in weather patterns,” he noted.
Meanwhile, a press release said that Unesco in collaboration with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica) was implementing a major project for upgrading the flood forecasting and early warning systems and for the risk mapping of flood plains along the Indus and Kabul River.
This project, it noted, was being implemented by Unesco in coordination with the Government of Pakistan - including thePakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco), Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) and Federal Flood Commission (FFC).
Field investigation and collection of data pertaining to several soil hydraulic parameters including soil hydraulic conductivity, infiltration rate, water holding capacity and water table depth, were required for calibrating the hydrological models of the upper catchments, the release maintained.
Internews
