The Japanese government has announced an additional grant of US$5.58 million for climate forecast stabilization as a part of Installation of Weather Surveillance Radar project in Pakistan, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Tuesday.
The original draft of this plan was signed and exchanged between the two governments on August 31, 2018.
According to the Japanese Embassy, the document for the project was signed by Dr Kazim Niaz, Secretary, Ministry of Economic Affairs on behalf of Pakistan.
On the other hand, acting Charge d'Affaires at the Japanese Embassy Ito Takeshi signed the document on behalf of the Japanese government.
The provision of additional funds increased the budget for the radar project from US $14.99 million to US $20.57 million, the Embassy of Japan in Pakistan said in a statement.
However, the dollar-starved Pakistani government requested the Japanese government to provide an additional grant of US $5.58 million.
It further stated that the Japanese government has been assisting Pakistan to improve its climate monitoring capacity since the 1980s to mitigate flood damages.
Today, the total amount of Japanese assistance for weather surveillance radars in Pakistan has reached US $ 82.9 million.
Japan has assisted in the installation of weather radars in Islamabad, Karachi, Dera Ismail Khan, Rahim Yar Khan whereas the installation of radars in Multan and Sukkur, including a total of 6 meteorological radars, is ongoing. Furthermore, this will cover 80 percent of the country.
Ito Takeshi said that this project will enhance PMD's capabilities, and that it will be able to disseminate information and make more accurate weather forecasts.
“It will be able to send warnings to protect people's lives and property in Pakistan and entire population of the country will benefit from it,” he added.
Reporter: Mohsin Ul Mulk