Islamabad: The Government of Japan has approved a grant amounting to $18.5 million for a flood management project in Pakistan. A signing ceremony for the exchange of notes and record of discussion between the governments of Japan and Pakistan was held in Islamabad today.

According to Radio Pakistan, the project aims to improve the accuracy of flood forecasts and flood control functions, accumulate basic data that contributes to disaster risk reduction measures, and reduce the risk of loss to human life and the economy, including infrastructure. The project, titled “Flood Management Enhancement in the Indus Basin,” will be materialized through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

The scope of the project is to develop a hydrological and hydraulic observation network, in addition to rehabilitating river structures damaged by the 2022 flood in the Indus River and its tributaries. The project will also contribute to the capacity building of flood management institutions, thereby contributing to f
uture flood risk reduction.

Secretary of the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Dr. Kazim Niaz, and Ambassador of Japan to Pakistan, Wada Mitsuhiro, signed the documents on behalf of their respective governments.