Peshawar: In a successful development, Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with the support of IDUSAID and International Water Management Institute (IWMI) has deployed Indus Telemetry System in 11 major irrigation canals in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).
This advanced technology will revolutionize water management and reporting in the province’s irrigation system.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Irrigation Minister Aqib Ullah Khan officially launched the Indus Telemetry System at a function here on Wednesday.
“Indus Telemetry uses advanced sensors to monitor flow depth and speed to assess the actual flow in remote channel locations,” explained Dr. Mohsin Hafeez, Director of Water, Food and Ecosystems at IWMI/Pakistan.
This streaming data is transmitted securely via GSM technology to a cloud server where it is processed and archived. The actual flow data is then displayed on a live screen accessible to key stakeholders, providing instant access to flow records to the KP Irrigation Department and important seasonal reports to the Indus River System Authority (IRSA),” said Dr Mohsin.
Sensors are strategically installed at Swokarky Swat Canal, Tanda Irrigation Canal, Pehur High Level Canal and others and provide comprehensive coverage.
Khanpur Dam’s Left Bank Canal, an inter-provincial canal, is monitored by Indus Telemetry to monitor water flow between KP and Punjab.
Dr. Azeem Ali Shah, researcher at IWMI and chairman of the USAID-funded Water Management for Productivity Panel, said, “Indus telemetry is an important step in ensuring transparency, accountability and equity in our canal water distribution system. It will also build trust and harmony among province.”
“Despite the water crisis and climate change, a reliable telemetry system is essential for the Indus Basin irrigation system, especially in solving inter-provincial water sharing,” said Mohammad Nawaz, Development Specialist, United States Agency for International Development (IDUSAID). ).
“The 2018 National Water Policy highlights the need for such a system, and IDUSAID is proud to respond with the Indus Telemetry System as a transparent water measurement solution.”
In the opening ceremony, Secretary of the Department of Irrigation Muhammad Tahir Orakzai presented a blueprint for strategic reforms in KP, outlining future initiatives aimed at further improving water management practices.
Dr. Hifza Rasheed, Director General, Pakistan Water Resources Research Council (PCRWR) also spoke and highlighted the important role of innovative technology in solving water problems in Pakistan.
Irrigation Minister Akbar Ullah Khan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa said, “The introduction of the Indus Telemetry System is a transformative step in our efforts to ensure sustainable water management and equitable distribution.
As the Minister of Irrigation, I have a great interest in improving water management and resource management. This technology will improve our ability to manage water resources efficiently and transparently, and I look forward to launching potential projects that will expand irrigation areas and improve food security and social well-being in our province. “
Earlier, the KP irrigation department relied on old methods to control the flow. The new technology enables the collection of reliable data and facilitates accurate water logging during the cropping season and throughout the year, as well as helping internal audits by comparing allocations with allocations.
