The Japanese government has approved a significant grant of $18.5 million aimed at enhancing flood management infrastructure in Pakistan. This initiative, part of a Grant-in-Aid project titled “Flood Management Enhancement in the Indus Basin,” was sanctioned through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and announced by the Ministry of Economic Affairs on Wednesday.
This project will fund the construction of three embankments along the Indus River in Haripur district and install rain gauges at 45 strategic sites across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab. These measures are designed to bolster flood forecasting accuracy and safeguard vulnerable communities from the devastating impact of flooding.
The grant comes in response to the catastrophic floods of 2022, which marked the worst natural disaster in Pakistan’s history. The flooding claimed 1,700 lives, devastated millions of homes, and ravaged agricultural land, affecting 33 million people and causing an estimated $30 billion in damages.
“The project aims to improve the accuracy of flood forecasts and control mechanisms, gather crucial data for disaster risk reduction, and mitigate the risks to human lives and infrastructure,” stated the Ministry of Economic Affairs.
The embankments built under this initiative will serve as protective barriers against potential economic and human losses. The data collected from the rain gauges and telemetry stations will be managed by the Federal Flood Commission and the Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA), ensuring improved coordination for future flood preparedness.
Speaking at the agreement signing in Islamabad, Economic Affairs Secretary Dr. Kazim Niaz and Ambassador of Japan to Pakistan Wada Mitsuhiro emphasized the importance of international collaboration in disaster mitigation. Ambassador Wada noted, “This project will provide reassurance to the people of Pakistan regarding possible future floods. Japan remains committed to assisting the most vulnerable in Pakistan.”
The grant is part of a broader effort, aligning with a comprehensive Rs200 billion Flood Protection Programme financed by both federal and provincial governments with support from international partners. This project also includes the planned installation of 45 telemetry stations and five automatic weather stations for enhanced flood forecasting and weather monitoring.
The latest development highlights the continued partnership between Japan and Pakistan in addressing pressing climate-related challenges and reinforcing the region’s resilience to natural disasters.
