IKI Appraises Swat Administration On Flood Forecasting, Early Warning System

Sumaira FH Published July 11, 2025 | 07:01 PM

A delegation from the Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute of Engineering Sciences and Technology (GIK Institute) visited Swat, to present a technology-based solution for flash flood forecasting and an early warning system

PESHAWAR, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 11th Jul, 2025) A delegation from the Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute of Engineering Sciences and Technology (GIK Institute) visited Swat, to present a technology-based solution for flash flood forecasting and an early warning system.

The delegation, comprising Prof. Dr. Masroor Hussain (HoD, Computer Engineering & Data Science), Dr. Muhammad Waseem (Assistant Professor, Civil Department), and Engr. Zulqarnain Jehan (Research Assistant, Civil Department), met with the Additional Deputy Commissioner and other local government authorities to discuss the proposed integrated digital framework aimed at enhancing disaster preparedness and safeguarding precious lives.

GIK Institute has already successfully completed a pilot project on River Swat in collaboration with WWF Pakistan, deploying cameras and AI-based analytic to monitor water levels and flow speeds.

The system provides real-time data to an integrated dashboard, significantly improving flood forecasting capabilities.

Additionally, the delegation introduced the partially developed Kawai Life App, designed to support emergency relief operations.

The app enables tourists and volunteers to report emergencies and share their precise location, images, and other vital information with Rescue 1122, even in areas with limited internet connectivity through SMS-based alerts.

The system also includes dedicated dashboards for tourists, system administrators, and operational departments such as the Irrigation Department, PDMA, Commissioner Offices, and Rescue 1122.

Further proposals include map-integrated flood forecasting tools and a centralized digital system for registering and monitoring hotels and restaurants in tourist areas.

The proposal emphasizes the urgent need for approval of a PC-1 for the development of this digital early warning and flood forecasting system, along with associated capacity-building initiatives.