Meeting of FAO, SIDA official discusses climate change impacts, response

HYDERABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 20th Feb, 2026) The Sindh Irrigation and Drainage Authority's (SIDA) Chairman Qabool Muhammad Khatian while referring to the challenges posed by climate change has cautioned that the accelerating impacts are adversely affecting both livelihoods and the agriculture sector across the province.

Speaking at a meeting at the SIDA's secretariat with a delegation of the food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the Chairman noted that climate change had led to a consistent decline in water flows, presenting significant challenges for water management engineers and irrigation officials.

He emphasized on the importance of adopting modern technologies and innovative approaches to mitigate risks and enhance the resilience of the irrigation system.

The FAO’s Regional Anticipatory Action Specialist Damien Riquet said the organization in Pakistan was actively implementing initiatives focused on disaster risk reduction and early warning systems in Sindh.

He added that those efforts aimed to strengthen preparedness against natural disasters, minimize potential losses and improve early response mechanisms within the irrigation sector.

During the meeting, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to addressing climate-related risks, including floods and droughts, through improved planning, strengthened institutional frameworks, and enhanced coordination.

The meeting was also attended by FAO Sindh Project Manager Padero, Ashfaq Nahyon, Mubashir Hussain, SIDA's General Manager Transition Sadiq Khaskheli, and other senior officials.