Islamabad: The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations in Pakistan (FAOPK), together with the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), is set to host a Scientific Forum focusing on the challenges posed by flash droughts and the improvement of early warning systems. Scheduled for July 10, 2024, in Islamabad, this forum marks a significant step towards integrating advanced drought monitoring and preparedness into the national disaster risk management strategy.

According to United Nations Pakistan, the event will bring together international experts to discuss state-of-the-art drought monitoring systems like the South Asia Drought Monitoring System (SADMS) and innovative Earth-observation-based indices specifically tailored for Pakistan’s agricultural needs. The forum aims to bolster decision-making capabilities and provide actionable guidance for practitioners and humanitarian organizations, enhancing their readiness and response strategies to increasingly unpredictable climatic conditions. Discussions will also delve into the integration of dynamic vulnerability indicators and satellite-derived data to improve predictive accuracy and enable timely interventions in vulnerable districts such as Tharparkar, Umerkot, and Dadu.