The heads of the national hydrological and meteorological services from Bangladesh, Pakistan, Bhutan, China, India, Nepal and the United States are attending the meeting being held in Thimpu, sources here said yesterday.

The conference delegates in the Bhutanese capital of Thimpu have begun discussions on the project proposals for establishment of a regional flood information system in the region.

Sponsored by the US Department of State's Regional Environment Office for South Asia and the US Agency for International Development's Office for Foreign Disaster Assistance and hosted by the Ministry of Trade and Industry of Bhutan, the meeting is part of a project to stem the chronic flooding catastrophe in the Hindu Kush-Himalaya region.

The discussions aim to reach agreement among the participating countries on implementing an operational regional flood information system. Technical advisors from the US Geological Survey are advising on technical details.

The demonstration phase is planned to be conducted during the coming monsoon season in the region, from June to September 2005. This phase will test the information-sharing component from 16 hydrological and meteorological stations across the region.

The Thimpu meeting will deliberate operation of a flood observation network, establishment of a regional flood information sharing system and the building of regional capacity and public awareness.

The conference continues the dialogue initiated by the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) and the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO).

Started in 2001, the project aims to enhance and promote regional cooperation in the timely exchange of flood data and information to minimise the loss of life and property by mitigating vulnerability to floods in the Hindu Kush-Himalaya region.

The project seeks to build upon existing bilateral treaties and agreements to develop a regional flood information system in the region. Several preparatory high-level meetings and country consultations have already taken place to assess the present capacities of participating countries and to develop a project document.

ICIMOD is the first international independent Mountain Learning and Knowledge Centre serving eight regional countries.

Its member countries include Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, Nepal and Pakistan.