ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Water Resources Moin Wattoo has said that work is underway to install a telemetry system for early warning of flooding in the country’s rivers, aimed at improving preparedness and enabling timely response to flood threats.
Responding to points of order in the National Assembly on Tuesday, the minister said lawmakers had raised concerns over the need for effective measures to prevent and reduce the impact of floods.
He said an early warning system was being developed through the installation of telemetry equipment, which would enable authorities to receive direct and timely information on river conditions.
“The telemetry system is being installed under the early warning system, through which information can be obtained directly,” the minister told the House.
Moin Wattoo said the Federal Flood Commission (FFC) had maintained regular coordination with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to monitor the country’s flood situation.
He said an FFC representative had been in daily contact with NDMA, while meetings were now being held twice a week to review developments and assess the evolving flood situation.
The minister’s statement came in response to questions from lawmakers regarding government measures to deal with climate change and increasing flood risks.
Pakistan has faced growing pressure from extreme weather events, including increasingly intense monsoon rainfall and flooding, making timely flood forecasting and early warning systems an important component of disaster risk reduction.
PPP lawmaker Shabbir Ali Bijarani asked the government to explain the measures being taken by the Ministry of Water Resources to address the impacts of climate change.
Other lawmakers also raised concerns regarding flood rehabilitation funds, damaged roads and the need for a comprehensive policy to deal with future flooding.
Syed Hussain Tariq called for details of a comprehensive strategy or policy for flood management, suggesting that the matter be referred to a parliamentary committee for detailed consideration.
The minister’s announcement regarding telemetry installation comes as authorities continue to strengthen coordination between water-management and disaster-response institutions, with the aim of improving flood forecasting, preparedness and early response across the country.