The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $3 million grant to help Tajikistan strengthen glacier monitoring and improve forecasting of climate-related hazards, marking a major step in boosting the country’s resilience to extreme weather risks.
The grant is financed by the Japan Fund for Prosperous and Resilient Asia and the Pacific (JFPR), supported by the Government of Japan and administered through ADB, The Caspian Post reports via Tajik media.
The project aims to address growing threats linked to rapid glacier and snow melt, which play a crucial role in Tajikistan’s water supply, agriculture, and hydropower generation.
“Glaciers and snow are vital for water security, but accelerated melting caused by climate change can trigger floods, avalanches, and other dangerous events,” said ADB Country Director for Tajikistan Ko Sakamoto. He noted that the project will equip the country with advanced tools and skills to better forecast and respond to these risks, assisting to protect lives and livelihoods.
The Agency for Hydrometeorology (Hydromet) will serve as both the executing and implementing agency. The project is scheduled for completion by 2029 and will focus primarily on selected districts of the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Oblast, one of the most glacier-dependent and climate-vulnerable regions of the country.
Under the initiative, Hydromet’s glacier and snow monitoring capacity will be significantly enhanced through the creation of an integrated digital data system. This end-to-end platform will improve the collection, storage, and analysis of cryosphere data. Plans include modernizing monitoring stations for real-time data transmission, digitizing historical glacier records, and introducing advanced tools such as remote sensing and machine learning to strengthen hazard forecasting.
Capacity building is a key component of the project. Hydromet’s technical staff will receive training in modern monitoring techniques and data management, with a strong emphasis on the participation of women specialists.
The project will also support community-focused early warning systems for cryosphere-related hazards. This includes developing disaster risk management plans, improving communication between local authorities and residents, and ensuring that warnings are timely, clear, and accessible to vulnerable communities.
Tajikistan has been an ADB member since 1998. Over the years, ADB-supported projects have contributed to upgrading transport corridors, modernizing irrigation and water supply systems, building hospitals and schools, and strengthening the national power system, including major hydropower facilities.
ADB is a leading multilateral development bank dedicated to promoting inclusive, resilient, and sustainable growth across Asia and the Pacific. Founded in 1966, it is owned by 69 members, including 50 from the region, and works with governments and partners to address complex development challenges and protect the environment.
