The authorities have raised their concerns over flood warning system theft in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).
The management of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) have showed a deep concern over the theft of an early flood warning system designed to monitor flood risks in the province’s upper and glacial regions.
The officials said that the damage could hinder the timely prediction of glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) and flash floods, increasing risks for communities living in vulnerable valleys.
According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), several monitoring stations installed in sensitive areas, including Kumrat and Manial valleys, have stopped transmitting data.
The stations were established to continuously monitor weather patterns, rainfall, water levels and potential flood threats, allowing authorities to issue early warnings to local populations.
Dr Muhammad Faheem, Deputy Director of the Regional Meteorological Centre in Peshawar, said the early flood warning system was established with support from the United Nations (UN) and the Green Climate Fund (GCF).
Under the project, around 85 advanced monitoring devices were installed across eight flood-prone valleys in KP.
The equipment included automatic weather stations, rainfall gauges, water-level sensors, communication devices and other instruments that provided round-the-clock meteorological and hydrological data to relevant authorities.
Dr Faheem added that while some equipments were damaged by the harsh weather conditions and floodwaters, several stations had also been targeted by thieves. Batteries, solar panels, sensors and other valuable components were reportedly stolen from multiple sites.
As a result, at least 14 critical monitoring stations have been affected, causing a complete or partial disruption in data transmission.
He noted that the imported equipment is highly expensive, with a fully automated monitoring station costing between five and seven million rupees or more. However, he stressed that the greatest loss is not financial but concerns public safety.
“These systems play a vital role in providing early warnings about potential floods, glacial lake outbursts and other natural hazards,” he said.
The Meteorological Department has registered a police complaint over the incident, while provincial authorities, district administrations and law enforcement agencies are investigating the thefts. Efforts are also under way to recover the stolen equipment and restore damaged systems.
Despite the disruption, officials say 58 of the 85 installed devices remain operational and continue to provide data for flood forecasting and warning services.
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