Muhammad Faisal Kaleem

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has finalized its support for installing 457 hydro-climatological stations across Pakistan under the first phase of the Flood Telemetry Network scheme, officials of the Ministry of Water Resources informed a parliamentary committee on Tuesday. Briefing the National Assembly Standing Committee on Water Resources, the officials said the Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) and the Federal Flood Commission (FFC) have jointly developed a National Master Plan for the Flood Telemetry Network (Phase-I) in collaboration with ADB.

They explained that the planned network of 457 stations will gather vital data on rainfall, river flows, temperature, humidity, and other water- and climate-related indicators. “Real-time monitoring will enable authorities to better predict floods, manage water resources, and strengthen early-warning systems,” the officials added. They further noted that the expanded monitoring network will help the government understand evolving weather patterns, improve disaster preparedness, and enhance long-term water management.

The data will also support planning for agriculture, hydropower development and climate-adaptation measures, making the country more resilient to extreme weather events. The committee was also informed that the federal cabinet approved the PEC Green Building Code and the Pakistan Building Code’s Rainwater Harvesting Provision on July 30, 2025. The Rainwater Harvesting Code applies to residential, commercial and industrial buildings. Members of the committee recommended that all stakeholders be taken on board regarding the installation of the telemetry system before it is finalized.

The meeting was further briefed that the Nara Canal—sourced from the Sukkur Barrage—comprises six main canals, nine branch canals, 49 distributaries and 167 minor lift channels across four divisions. The canal system irrigates 2.25 million acres of land in nine districts of southeastern Sindh. The committee meeting was chaired by MNA Ahmed Ateeq Anwer and attended by MNAs Shamaila Rana, Syed Javed Ali Shah Jillani, Zulfiqar Ali Behan, Saba Talpur and Syed Waseem Hussain.

Credit: INP-WealthPk