ADB grants $3m to boost Tajikistan’s glacier monitoring and hazard forecasting

ADB Country Director for Tajikistan Ko Sakamoto underscored the urgency of the initiative, noting that rapid glacier melt poses immediate and growing risks across the country.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $3 million grant to enhance Tajikistan’s capacity for glacier monitoring, climate hazard forecasting, and community-level disaster preparedness. The funding is provided through the Japan Fund for Prosperous and Resilient Asia and the Pacific (JFPR), financed by the Government of Japan.

ADB Country Director for Tajikistan Ko Sakamoto underscored the urgency of the initiative, noting that rapid glacier melt poses immediate and growing risks across the country.“Glaciers and snow are vital for water supply, agriculture, and hydropower, yet rapid melting caused by extreme weather changes can trigger devastating floods, avalanches, and other hazards,” he said.“This project will help equip the country with advanced tools and skills to forecast and respond to these threats, safeguarding lives and strengthening resilience.”

Addressing Climate Risks in a Highly Vulnerable Region

Tajikistan is among the countries most vulnerable to glacier retreat and cryosphere-related hazards, particularly in the mountainous Gorno–Badakhshan Autonomous Oblast (GBAO) where the project will be primarily implemented. Glacier-fed rivers are essential for drinking water, farming, and hydroelectric generation, meaning any disruption directly affects national stability and livelihoods.

Digitizing and Modernizing Glacier Monitoring

The Agency for Hydrometeorology (Hydromet) will lead project implementation, which is expected to conclude by 2029. The programme will significantly modernize the country’s climate monitoring capabilities through:

• Creation of an integrated digital data system for glacier and snow monitoring

• Modernization of monitoring stations to enable real-time data collection and transmission

• Digitization of historical glacier datasets, improving long-term trend analysis

• Deployment of remote sensing, satellite technologies, and machine learning tools for advanced cryosphere monitoring

• Strengthening analytical skills to enable earlier and more accurate hazard forecasts

Hydromet’s technical staff, with strong participation from women, will receive extensive training in modern monitoring, data management, and forecasting systems.

Improving Early Warning Systems for At-Risk Communities

Beyond technical upgrades, the project includes a strong community resilience component. It will:

• Improve early warning systems for floods, avalanches, and glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs)

• Support local authorities to develop disaster risk management plans

• Strengthen communication channels so that hazards are detected early and warnings reach residents in time

• Enhance coordination between national agencies and local communities for emergency response

These measures aim to reduce loss of life and protect critical infrastructure in vulnerable mountain districts.

ADB’s Longstanding Partnership with Tajikistan

Tajikistan joined ADB in 1998, and the partnership has delivered major national improvements across transport, energy, health, and water systems. Key achievements include:

• Construction and rehabilitation of major roads such as Obigarm–Nurobod, Dushanbe–Bokhtar, Ayni–Panjakent, Dushanbe–Tursunzade, and Vose–Khovaling

• Modernization of irrigation systems and expansion of safe water supply

• Building and upgrading hospitals, schools, and community services

• Reconnecting Tajikistan’s electrical grid to the Central Asian power network

• Rehabilitation of major hydropower plants including Nurek and Golovnaya

The new glacier monitoring project adds to ADB’s growing portfolio of climate resilience and disaster risk reduction investments in Central Asia.