ISLAMABAD, July 18: The federal government decided on Monday to set up a Quantitative Precipitation Measurement radar system in Cherat, near Peshawar, in six months. An official statement said a decision to this effect was taken at a meeting presided over by Water and Power Minister Liaquat Ali Jatoi to finalize requirements of early flood warning system in the NWFP in order to strengthen present arrangements.

The system shall cover the NWFP river catchments for effective flood forecasting and timely issuance of warning to take precautionary measures. The Pakistan Meteorological Department shall prepare all the details in this behalf in consultation with the irrigation authorities of the NWFP.

After a quick survey of probable river and rain gauges sites in the NWFP, a comprehensive proposal of installation of new gauging system for data collection and dissemination shall be given to the NWFP for effective flood management.

The department would act as a coordinating agency for the purpose, the meeting decided.

The gauging system will provide information about current temperature in the snowfall areas, forecast snow melting temperature and other related information of flow of water in rivers.

The minister said that installation of the early warning and gauging system was important to avoid losses in the future. The system would help take precautionary measures and timely evacuation of people for their safety.

He directed that the system should be set up within six months and functional before the next flood season.

The meeting was informed that as a consequence of flood in the rivers Kabul and Indus, the public and private property in the NWFP had suffered extensive damages, including loss of lives. About 33,705 acres of cropped area, 114 villages and 550 families were affected.

Secretary and Special Secretary of Water and Power, Chairman Flood Commission, Director General Met Department, Secretary Irrigation NWFP, Vice-President NESPAK and other senior officials of the ministry, flood commission, and irrigation department of NWFP attended the meeting.