ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Japan have agreed to carry out two projects of disaster management and weather forecasting system worth Rs3.2 billion.
Ambassador of Japan Hiroshi Inomata and Economic Affairs Division (EAD) Secretary Saleem Sethi signed the agreements through which capacity of sewerage and drainage services will also be improved to tackle disasters.
“Project for Upgrading of Mechanical System for Sewerage and Drainage Services in Gujranwala” entails provision of disposal pumps and de-silting equipment to upgrade existing sewerage and drainage capacity in Gujranwala city. It will also enhance the number of connections to sewers, and consequently increase sewerage coverage rate. The project will help reduce risk of inundation caused by heavy rains.
Moreover, “The Project for Establishment of Specialised Medium Range Weather Forecasting Center and Strengthening of Weather Forecasting System”, will see the replacement of the existing meteorological radar in Islamabad with an upper-air observation system and a meteorological data communication system.
A specialised medium range weather forecasting centre will also be established under the project which will enable the Pakistan Meteorological Department to improve accuracy of weather forecasts and speedily disseminate the warnings.