ISLAMABAD: The government of Japan decided to increase the grant aid for “the Project for the Installation of a Weather Surveillance Radar in Multan city” from 2.042 billion Japanese Yen to 2.8 billion Japanese Yen.
The original notes to this effect between the two governments were signed and exchanged on August 13, 2018. In response to Pakistan’s request, Japan’s government decided to provide an additional 760 million Japanese Yen (approximately 5.58 million USD) for this project.
As per a press release issued here on Monday, the notes to this effect for the provision of additional funds were signed and exchanged between ITO Takeshi, Charge d’ Affaires ad interim of Japan to Pakistan, and Kazim Niaz, Secretary, Ministry of Economic Affairs.
During the signing ceremony, Mr. Ito, Japan’s Charge d’Affaires Ad interim in Pakistan stated, “This project will improve PMD’s capabilities by allowing it to disseminate information and provide more accurate weather forecasts, as well as send out warnings to protect people’s lives and property in Pakistan. The entire population of the country will benefit.”
Japan has been assisting Pakistan
Natural disasters such as landslides and floods caused by heavy torrential rains, tropical cyclones, and earthquakes are common in Pakistan. This causes significant damage, particularly due to floods caused by monsoon rains. Since the 1980s, the Japanese government has been proactively assisting Pakistan in the enhancement of weather surveillance capacity in order to mitigate flood damage.
With today’s additional pledge, Japan’s total assistance for weather surveillance radars in Pakistan has reached approximately 11.3 billion Japanese Yen (equivalent to around 82.9 million USD). So far, Japan has contributed to the installation of six weather radars in Islamabad, Rahim Yar Khan, Karachi, Dera Ismail Khan, Multan (ongoing), and Sukkur (ongoing), which will cover 80% of the country and benefit 90% of the population. The weather radar network will undoubtedly help to strengthen Pakistan’s weather forecasting capability and make the country more resilient to future natural disasters.
