HYDERABAD: Participants of a workshop on “Role of media for strengthening an early warning system for floods and droughts” emphasised upon the media, Pakistan Meteorology Department (PMD) and other stakeholders to play their role for preparation of an effective mechanism for early warning system so that the magnitude of human as well as infrastructure losses could be minimised in natural disasters.
The workshop was organised by Pakistan Meteorological Department in collaboration with World Food Programme (WFP) and Sustainable Land Management Project (SLMP) here at a hotel on Thursday.
Among others, Director General PMD Arif Mehmood, Deputy Director General Abdul Qayoom Bhutto, Director PMD Azmat Hayat Khan, SLMP NCP Dr. Amjad Virk, representative of media Suhail Sangi and academician Qasim Nizamani shared there views.
The participants were of the opinion that early warning plays a fairly strong role in improving human society because it is one of the most effective measures for reducing negative impacts of threats and risks triggered by disastrous natural events.
They said that media has an important responsibility for timely trickling down of information about natural calamities to the relevant vulnerable people.
The speakers called for building of strong network of NDMA, PDMA, DDMA and PMD with the media for effectively disseminating an “Early Warning” to the people. While wrapping up the debate, Director General PMD Arif Mehmood said that PMD was extending services in the fields of meteorology, hydrology, agricultural meteorology and seismology.
It has established specialised units to cater to diversified needs of various sections of society and these units are providing useful information, monitoring, forecasting to help reduce losses from natural hazards.
He said that the government has invested a huge amount for strengthening the early warning system and as a result of effective forecasting by PMD about the floods and rains the magnitude of lossof lives has been minimised in last two years.
He said that environmentally Pakistan is placed in high risk zone and is prone to frequent natural disasters and only timely communication of early warnings could save the lives and livelihoods of people.
He said PMD is well equipped with latest technology, including satellite and radar system through which standard and accurate forecast of the weather was possible.
Besides, Met Dept intends to establish a radio station and IVR system for having timely and better communication with concerned people.
He said that the main objective of this seminar/ workshop was to get engaged with media persons directly to form an effective mechanism for EW system adding that before Hyderabad such workshops were conducted by the Met Department in Lahore, Multan, Islamabad and Peshawar for the same purpose more workshops would be arranged in Sukkur, Larkana, Mirpurkhas and other cities of Sindh.
He said diploma, short courses and internship programmes are being arranged by different people and Met Department for education and awareness about Early Warning System.
Source: The News
Date:11/4/2011
