PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Board of Investment and Trade (KPBOIT), in collaboration with Tolthawk Intl Pvt Ltd, has launched an artificial intelligence-powered telemetry system to strengthen flood monitoring and early warning in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The initiative is aimed at improving disaster preparedness, climate resilience and technology-based governance in the province.
The launch ceremony in Peshawar was attended by Provincial Minister for Irrigation Riaz Khan, Chief Minister’s Adviser on Finance Muzzammil Aslam, Adviser on Industries Humayun Khan and Secretary Irrigation Abid Khan Wazir.
Tolthawk Chief Executive Nayab Khan, former Chitral Nazim Sartaj Ahmad Khan, and senior officials and representatives from disaster risk reduction institutions, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Disaster Management Authority (KPDMA), the Relief Department, universities, development partners and media also attended the event.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was also signed to promote cooperation among relevant institutions for the development and installation of technology-based flood monitoring and early warning solutions across the province.
Speaking at the ceremony, Provincial Minister for Irrigation Riaz Khan highlighted the importance of modern technology in water and flood management. He said timely and reliable information could help government departments and communities take preventive measures before floods cause serious damage.
Chief Minister’s Adviser on Finance Muzzammil Aslam welcomed the initiative and said investment in modern technologies was important for improving public-sector performance, strengthening disaster response capacity and reducing the economic losses caused by natural disasters.
Adviser on Industries Humayun Khan highlighted the potential of artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies to create new opportunities for innovation, research and technology-based development. He stressed the need for stronger links between government institutions, technology companies, universities and development partners.
The AI-powered telemetry system is designed to improve real-time monitoring of water and flood-related indicators through advanced sensors and telemetry infrastructure installed in remote areas.
The system will collect and transmit data in near real time, helping improve situational awareness, risk analysis, forecasting and early warning. The integration of AI and data analytics can also help identify trends and provide authorities with information for timely decision-making.
Secretary Irrigation Abid Khan Wazir stressed the importance of stronger coordination among institutions and the integration of modern monitoring technology with existing water and disaster management systems.
He noted that effective early warning requires not only reliable technology but also strong coordination among agencies responsible for monitoring, emergency response and public preparedness.
Tolthawk Chief Executive Nayab Khan briefed participants on the technical features of the telemetry system and its potential applications in flood monitoring and early warning. He highlighted the role of innovation, AI, remote sensing and real-time data in strengthening disaster management.
The participation of DRR institutions, KPDMA, the Relief Department, universities, development partners and media representatives reflected the multi-sector nature of the initiative. Participants stressed the importance of data sharing, institutional coordination, technical capacity and timely communication of warnings to communities.
The initiative is expected to support data-based decision-making, improve flood preparedness and strengthen climate resilience in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
By combining technology, institutional cooperation and community preparedness, the system could help the province move from a mainly reactive approach to disasters towards greater emphasis on early action and risk reduction, helping protect lives, livelihoods and critical infrastructure.
