GILGIT: The planning and development department signed letters of agreements (LoAs) with line departments to initiate work on averting glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) in 16 valleys of the region.

The letters were signed on Wednesday by Additional Chief Secretary Syed Abrar Hussain and representatives of the four departments including forest wildlife and environment; agriculture, livestock and fisheries; Gilgit-Baltistan Disaster Management Authority and Gilgit Baltistan Rural Support Porgramme.

The objective of the LoAs is to strengthen coordination among the departments and facilitate implementation of steps outlined in UNDP GLOF-II Project Annual Work Plan 2021.

The planning and development department is the lead partner for the project.

The agreements will strengthen coordination among the line departments for mitigating risks of GLOF in the region.

The activities to be carried out under the LoA will have significant impact on the region.

The activities include risk assessment studies and capacity building of line departments to mainstream climate change action plans into disaster risk management.

The GLOF-II project will also provide technological support to the government in the form of communication, surveillance and equipment.

The project is meant to help vulnerable communities for effective response, recovery and preparedness to mitigate risk of GLOF through early warning system, enhanced small-scale infrastructure and community-based disaster risk management.

It also focuses on water efficient and risk-informed farming technologies for the local communities.

Published in Dawn, April 30th, 2021