Islamabad: The Government of Japan has approved a grant of $18.5 million for a flood management project in Pakistan. A formal signing ceremony took place in Islamabad, marking the exchange of notes and discussion records between Japan and Pakistan to affirm their commitment to this crucial initiative.

According to Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the project, named “Flood Management Enhancement in the Indus Basin,” is set to improve the accuracy of flood forecasts and enhance flood control functions. It aims to gather fundamental data that will aid disaster risk reduction measures, ultimately reducing the potential for human and economic losses, including damage to infrastructure.

This project, to be executed through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), includes the development of a hydrological and hydraulic observation network. Additionally, it will focus on rehabilitating river structures damaged by the 2022 flood in the Indus River and its tributaries.

An integral aspect of the project is its emphasis on capacity building within flood management institutions, which is expected to contribute significantly to future flood risk reduction. The signing of documents was carried out by Dr. Kazim Niaz, Secretary of the Ministry of Economic Affairs, and Wada Mitsuhiro, the Ambassador of Japan to Pakistan, representing their respective governments.