Govt allocated Rs1.6 billion to strengthen weather forecasting, disaster preparedness

Pakistan has allocated Rs1.6 billion to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) under the Annual Plan 2026-27 to strengthen weather forecasting and disaster preparedness, as the country faces rising economic losses from floods and other climate-related disasters.

The largest share, Rs1 billion, has been set aside for the modernisation of Hydromet Services in Pakistan. The project is aimed at improving hydrometeorological infrastructure, forecasting accuracy and climate data systems.

The plan also includes Rs344 million for the proposed National Centre for Rainfall Enhancement, which is meant to support water security, climate adaptation and agricultural productivity.

For real-time weather monitoring and early warnings, the government has allocated Rs195 million for a weather surveillance radar project in Multan and Rs5 million for a similar project in Sukkur.

Separately, the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination is projected to receive Rs2.5 billion. Most of this allocation is focused on forestry, biodiversity conservation, afforestation and ecosystem restoration.

The ministry’s planned initiatives include the Pakistan Climate Innovation and Green Growth Initiative, which will provide green skills to youth and support entrepreneurship through a Green Innovation Fund.

A National Forest and Tree Cover Assessment is also planned, using remote sensing and machine learning to improve forest monitoring and restoration planning.

The Annual Plan also lists climate-smart agriculture, efficient water management, disaster risk reduction, green industrialisation, circular economy measures and domestic carbon market mechanisms among priority areas.

The spending push comes after repeated climate shocks. The plan notes that major floods in 2010, 2011, 2014, 2022 and 2025 caused human and economic losses and damaged infrastructure and livelihoods across the country.

Citing a 2022 World Bank report, the plan says Pakistan faces average annual losses of around $2 billion from floods and earthquakes.

It warns that these losses could rise to $250 billion by 2030 and $1.2 trillion by 2050. In a peak disaster year, damage in priority sectors could reach up to 30% of GDP.