Pakistan’s mountainous northern regions, particularly vulnerable to earthquakes and landslides, will benefit from a new collaborative effort. The China-Pakistan Joint Research Centre for Earth Sciences (CPJRC) and the National Disaster Management Institute (NDMI) have signed a cooperation agreement to improve disaster preparedness and early warning systems.
The deal, formalized between the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), paves the way for deploying advanced disaster risk simulation and early warning systems. This technology will strengthen Pakistan’s ability to anticipate and respond to natural disasters in these high-risk areas.
Both parties will work to implement these systems, including establishing new monitoring stations. This will enhance risk assessment and data collection, vital for timely and effective disaster response.
The agreement signing ceremony showcased the promising mountain disaster risk simulation and early warning system developed by CPJRC. Academician Cui Peng, CPJRC’s Executive Deputy Director and Chief Scientist, expressed confidence in the system’s successful implementation in Pakistan and highlighted the potential for future collaboration.
“This agreement will further strengthen cooperation and exchange between our institutions,” stated Peng.
Established under a joint agreement between CAS and Pakistan’s Higher Education Commission, CPJRC focuses on earth science research and education. Headquartered at Quaid-e-Azam University, the center is hosted by the Institute of Mountain Hazards and Environment, CAS.
This initiative represents a significant step towards bolstering Pakistan’s disaster preparedness and mitigating the impact of natural disasters in its mountainous regions.