Flood protection: AI-based early warning system installed in Kalam

MINGORA: The authorities on Tuesday installed an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based early warning system in the Kalam area keeping in view the catastrophic floods of 2022 that resulted in 24 fatalities and extensive damage to property across the Swat district.

As the nation faces the growing challenges posed by climate change, a promising development has emerged from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with the introduction of an AI-based Flood Early Warning System.

This cutting-edge technology aims to revolutionize community responses to flooding, potentially safeguarding lives, and livelihoods in one of Pakistan’s most climate-vulnerable regions.The 2022 floods, sparked by unprecedented rainfall, saw water levels in the Swat River reach 202,430 cusecs-double the flow recorded during the 2010 disaster.

The deluge devastated approximately 2,336 homes, 52 hotels, and 438 schools, and caused severe damage to infrastructure, including 14 bridges and 517 kilometers of roads.The Bahrain Tehsil bore the brunt, with 600 homes destroyed and hundreds more damaged, leaving various areas, such as Kalam and Mankiyal, inaccessible.

A report from the provincial government highlighted the Malakand Division’s severe impact, with 66 lives lost and 47 injuries recorded.The floods claimed the lives of 711 livestock and affected numerous health centres, sports facilities, and electricity supply points.

These events raised alarm bells about the region’s vulnerability to climate change and natural disasters, underscoring the critical need for climate resilience and disaster preparedness initiatives.

Criticism mounted against the government after accusing it of having a sluggish response to the disaster, with calls for enhanced early warning systems and emergency preparedness to mitigate future impacts.

In response, the World Wide Fund for Nature Pakistan (WWF-Pakistan) launched the AI-based Flood Early Warning System in Swat, collaborating with the Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute (GIK) and local authorities.

This initiative is aimed at minimizing flood-related losses by providing timely alerts to communities.Asim Haider, a WWF-Pakistan officer involved in the Flood Recovery Project, said the system utilized cameras, sensors, and water gauges to monitor water levels and flow rates in the Swat River.

He said, this data, would be analyzed, allowing local administrations to respond swiftly to potential threats.It is worth mentioning here that Pakistan ranks as one of the most climate-vulnerable countries, experiencing 139 natural disasters over the past two decades.

The Federal Flood Commission has highlighted the necessity of modern technology to address these challenges effectively.This early warning system aims to protect communities and reduce the risk of future flood-related disasters in Pakistan, bringing hope for a more resilient future in the face of climate change.