PESHAWAR, Sept 14: The NWFP Hydrology Irrigation Division has proposed the setting up of snowfall data collection stations and installation of high frequency radio stations in upper parts of the province and adjoining tribal areas. The hydrology division and Wapda, in collaboration with the Flood Relief Commission, have completed feasibility report and identified various sites where the stations will be set up.

The stations will help the hydrology division to get update weather forecasts, record rain and snowfall in high altitude areas and monitor flood level in various rivers in the NWFP and tribal areas.

The proposed stations will also help the division to monitor flood situation and record rains and snowfall in certain border areas of Afghanistan from where rivers enter Pakistani territory.

An official told this correspondent that the Water and Power Development Authority and the Flood Relief Commission would finance the project.

Presently, the hydrology division does not have its own stations and depends

upon Wapda and the Indus River

System Authority (IRSA) to get data

about rains, snowfall and flood level in the rivers.

Sources said that the hydrology division faced difficulties due to absence of its own monitoring system whereas Wapda was reluctant to share information with the provincial authorities.

They said that most of the rivers originated from the upper parts of the NWFP and its high altitude areas received heavy snowfall, therefore, the government should equip the hydrology division with its own monitoring facilities.

Under the proposed plan, snowfall data stations will be set up in Parachinar (Kurram Agency), Swat river catchement area and Panjkora in Upper Dir district.

The three stations require about $450,000, according to an official.

High frequency radio stations for recording rainfall and flood level will be installed at seven locations in different areas of the NWFP.

The proposed places are Siren and Kurhar rivers in Abbottabad, Haro river at Jabar in Haripur district, Khwazakhela in Swat district, Panjkora river at Arand bridge in Lower Dir, downstream Warsak dam in Kabul river, Kurram river near Thal and Tochi river in the North Waziristan Agency.