KP installs telemetry system at 11 irrigation canals

PESHAWAR: The government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has installed the Indus Telemetry System across 11 main irrigation canals in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with the support of the US government and the International Water Management Institute (IWMI).

This cutting-edge technology will revolutionize water management and reporting in the province’s irrigation system, said an official communique.Minister of Irrigation for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Aqibullah Khan officially launched the Indus Telemetry System. “The deployment of the Indus Telemetry System marks a transformative step in our efforts to ensure sustainable water management and equitable distribution. This technology will enhance our capacity to manage water resources efficiently and transparently,” he stated during the ceremony.

“Indus Telemetry utilizes advanced sensors to monitor flow depth and velocity for estimating actual flows at remote canal locations,” said Dr Mohsin Hafeez, Director, Water, Food & Ecosystems and Country Representative of IWMI/Pakistan. “This flow data is transferred securely via GSM technology to a cloud server, where it is processed and archived. Real-time flow data is then displayed on live data screens accessible to key stakeholders, providing the KP Irrigation Department with instant access to flow records and essential seasonal reports for the Indus River System Authority (IRSA).”

The sensors have been strategically installed on the Upper Swat Canal, Tanda Irrigation Main Canal, Pehur High Level Canal, and others, ensuring comprehensive coverage. The Khanpur Dam Left Bank Canal, an interprovincial canal, is also monitored by Indus telemetry to oversee water transfer between KP and Punjab.