IWM, Only Effective Solution to Reduce Flood Impacts

Head of FRWO said: "Flood damage is reduced by 70% where IWM projects have been implemented." 

According to FRWO’s website, Dr. Massoud Mansour, Deputy Minister and Head of FRWO in the gathering of Deputies Watershed Management, Range and Desert Affairs of the Natural Resources and Watershed Management Departments (NRWDs) of the provinces chaired by Massoud Mansour in the presence of Ismail Najjar, Deputy Minister and Head of  National Disaster Management Organization (NDMO) which was held in Mashhad on Wednesday said: "Integrated Watershed Management (IWM) is the only effective solution to reduce flood impacts and led to reduction of flood damages by up to 70%".  

In this gathering, Mansour stated: "The average annual rainfall in Sistan & Baluchistan province is 100 mm. In January of this year, we witnessed 128 mm of rainfall in 24 hours, which caused many problems indeed, and FRWO should know that this situation will be repeated."

He reiterated: "IWM is the key to reducing the negative effects of this situation".

Head of FRWO said that the role of natural resources management in the country's economy should be addressed properly and emphasized: "The most important source that is currently facing problems in the country is water and soil resources, and the measures taken to preserve these two resources have been neglected and not addressed." 

Ismail Najjar, Deputy Minister and Head of National Disaster Management Organization (NDMO) also attended the gathering noted: "NDMO's duty is based on prevention, and prevention should be given more attention."

Najjar said: "Due to climate change, special attention to the implementing IWM and aquifer recharge projects in the flooded areas will play an important role in preventing and reducing flood damage."

He reiterated: "The Government's approach to the issue of IWM has changed and with this change of positive attitude, we hope to be able to introduce the importance of IWM and its vital role in crisis prevention."