The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Irrigation Riaz Khan has said that the use of modern technology and the development of timely early warning systems are essential to effectively address the growing risks posed by climate change and protect precious human lives and property. He said that the incumbent KP government is taking practical measures to mitigate the impacts of climate change, reduce flood risks and ensure the safety of the people.
He expressed these views while addressing a ceremony held to inaugurate the ToltHawk IoT Telemetry System, where a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was also signed among the Irrigation Department Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and ToltHawk USA/Flow Sense Global Pvt. Ltd.
The ceremony was attended by Chief Minister’s Advisor on Finance Muzammil Aslam, Advisor on Industries and Commerce Hamayun Khan, Secretary Irrigation Muhammad Abid Khan, Chief Executive Officer ToltHawk Nayab Khan, Director KP-BOIT Iqbal Sardar, IWMI representative Naeem Khan, and other officials and representatives.
In his address, the Provincial Minister said that KP is among the regions most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, having experienced devastating floods in 2010, 2014 and 2022, as well as glacial lake outburst floods, intense rainfall, droughts, heatwaves and landslides. He said that more than two million people in the province were affected by the floods in 2022 alone.
He said that the ToltHawk Telemetry System would enable improved and high-resolution monitoring of flood situations, while providing real-time data on water levels, flood risks and other environmental conditions, adding that this would help relevant institutions make timely decisions and issue early warnings to vulnerable communities.
He informed the participants that ToltHawk Telemetry Devices have been installed and activated at Dehri Bridge Swat, Nowshera Bridge and Kurram River Kohat Road Bridge, Bannu.
“Live streaming of telemetry data has also been activated, while the necessary integration with the Decision Support System has been completed” Mr Riaz Khan said.
He added that the real success of an early warning system lies in ensuring that timely information reaches vulnerable communities and provides them with an opportunity to take precautionary measures.
The KP Irrigation Minister further said that the provincial government has undertaken several measures for strengthening flood protection infrastructure, increasing water storage capacity, improving the canal system and promoting agricultural development.
He maintained that the approval of a comprehensive Flood Protection Plan for 15 districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was an important step in this regard.
Mr Riaz Khan said that the Chashma Right Bank Canal (CRBC) Project would play an important role in bringing approximately 286,000 acres of barren land in Dera Ismail Khan under cultivation. He added that work was also underway on other projects aimed at reducing flood risks and ensuring efficient water management.
He further said that government institutions, development partners, experts and technology companies would have to move forward under a coordinated strategy to effectively address the challenges posed by climate change.
He said that the government’s objective was not merely to respond after disasters occur, but to ensure advance preparedness, timely warnings and protection of human lives through modern technology.