One of the spectacular effects of recent atmospheric warming in the Himalayan region has been the creation of meltwater lakes on the lower sections of many glaciers. Climate change is likely to exacerbate further some of these natural hazards such as glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs), which can cause major social and economic damage for large populations living in the Himalayan region. Thirty-five destructive outburst floods have been recorded for the Karakoram Range in the past 200 years. Systematic application of remote sensing and geographic information systems (GIS) has revealed the formation of about 2420 glacial lakes in the Hindukush-Karakoram-Himalaya (HKH) Region of Pakistan, among which 52 lakes are characterized as potentially dangerous GLOF hazards. About 62% of the GLOF lakes belong to End Moraine Dammed type and 25% to Cirque type. Due to poor livelihood conditions, lack of resources and proper management within the system the local communities have a problem in taking effective response measures for risk reduction or mitigation. There is a need to create awareness of flood hazard, coordination and capacity buildings for preparedness and risk reduction among target communities. High resolution satellite data integrated with ground information can be utilized effectively for regular monitoring of these lakes in order to mitigate flood risk hazard in future.

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This study was conducted to assess social media (SM) use, psychological distress, and knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) regarding the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) among a sample of the population of Pakistan. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Multan, Pakistan between April and May 2020. Demographics details, SM use, psychological distress, and KAP on the COVID-19 were investigated. A total of 800 respondents were analyzed out of which 33.5% (n = 268) were women. No gender-wise difference was found in the terms of SM use and duration of SM use. Women were prone to have psychological disorders such as anxiety, depression, and stress than men in the current COVID-19 pandemic. The mean knowledge score of men was significantly higher compared to women (18.69 ± 4.20 vs. 16.89 ± 3.04, p < 0.001), while the mean score of the attitude and practices on the COVID-19 prevention measures was significantly better in women (p = 0.012 and p < 0.001, respectively). The psychological problems such as anxiety (p < 0.001) and depression scores (p = 0.033) were higher among women than men. The stress score was also higher in women but not significantly higher (p = 0.079). The knowledge was significantly correlated with attitude, anxiety, depression, and stress. The regression analysis showed that the COVID-19-related KAPs are the predictors of psychological suffering of an individual. The female gender was positively associated with anxiety and depression. The SM use was the predictor of the stress. Male respondents had significantly more knowledge of the COVID-19 than female respondents, but women had significantly better attitudes and practiced the COVID-19 prevention measures. Gender is a significant determinant of psychological distress and KAP about the COVID-19. The government has already taken significant steps to limit the spread of the disease; however, much more effort is required to tackle this COVID-19 pandemic.

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Most food safety and consumer trust measures focus on information management in preparation for accidents and system structures focused on inspection records for hygiene management. Recognizing the provision of safe produce coupled to preventative rather than reactive measures as being more important, this research uses covariance structure analysis to explore decision making associated with the adoption of new technology by farmers. Survey items range from standard farm characteristics (such as scale of operation and volume of sales) to social psychological constructs (such as attitudes about various farm operational risks). Data drawn from greenhouse vegetable farmers (185 mail survey responses) are used to estimate our causal models. Overall, large farms tended to be more progressive in the adoption of new technology, even when they perceived high operational risks. In the future, assuming Japan will participate in the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), regulations associated with vegetable imports will be eased and Japan's greenhouse vegetable farmers will face fierce international competition. Food safety regulations will also likely be subjected to TPP guidelines. Under these circumstances, production technology for heightened food safety will be indispensable in order for Japan's greenhouse vegetable farmers to continue to thrive. Government support to encourage the adoption of new technology will also be necessary. The results of this analysis contribute fundamental knowledge to the formulation of measures designed to encourage adoption.