Pakistan Estimates $2.9 Billion In Flood Damages Affecting Agriculture And Infrastructure

Pakistan has faced significant damage from recent floods, with losses estimated at around US$2.9 billion. This information was shared by Ahsan Iqbal, Pakistan's Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives. He highlighted these figures during an event where the ministry's monthly development update and a preliminary flood damage assessment report were released.

The floods have severely impacted various sectors, particularly agriculture and infrastructure. The agricultural sector alone has suffered damages amounting to 430 billion rupees (approximately $1.53 billion). Infrastructure damages are estimated at 307 billion rupees (around $1.1 billion). Additionally, about 229,000 homes across the country have been affected.

The economic repercussions of the floods are expected to be substantial. Preliminary assessments suggest that Pakistan's GDP growth could decrease by 0.3 to 0.7 percentage points in the fiscal year starting July 2025, reducing the growth outlook to between 3.5 and 3.9 percent from an earlier target of 4.2 percent. Furthermore, unemployment might increase by approximately 220,000 workers due to the disaster.

In terms of infrastructure, the floods have caused extensive damage to roads and bridges. Around 2,811 km of roads and 790 bridges have been affected nationwide. Public buildings have not been spared either; about 129 public structures have sustained damage.

The agricultural sector has experienced significant setbacks due to the flooding. "In agriculture, we estimate a loss of approximately 3 million to 3.4 million bales of cotton, around 1 million tonnes of rice, and between 1.3 million and 3.3 million tonnes of sugarcane," Iqbal stated, noting that these figures depend on how long flooding persists in different regions.

Educational institutions and health facilities have also been impacted by the floods. Approximately 2,267 educational institutions and 243 health facilities have suffered damage across the country.

Rehabilitation Efforts

The government is focusing on rehabilitation efforts following these preliminary estimates. The aim is to rebuild essential infrastructure, restore livelihoods, and strengthen resilience against future climate-related disasters.

Commercial areas and water infrastructure sites have also been affected significantly by the flooding events. About 1,297 commercial areas and 86 water infrastructure sites including waterworks, sources, and reservoirs have been damaged.

The preliminary flood damage assessment will play a crucial role in guiding ongoing recovery initiatives in Pakistan as it seeks to address both immediate needs and long-term resilience strategies.

With inputs from WAM