Pakistan is set to enhance its weather forecasting, disaster preparedness, and climate resilience through multiple projects and strategic policy measures. The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has been granted Rs1.6 billion in the Annual Plan 2026-27 to advance forecasting technologies and disaster risk management frameworks.
Within this budget, Rs344 million is designated for the establishment of the National Centre for Rainfall Enhancement, aimed at bolstering water security, climate adaptation, and agricultural productivity. Additionally, weather surveillance radar installations in Multan and Sukkur have been allocated Rs195 million and Rs5 million respectively, to improve real-time weather monitoring and early warning capabilities.
Moreover, Rs1 billion will support the modernization of the Hydromet Services in Pakistan project, which focuses on upgrading hydrometeorological infrastructure, enhancing forecasting precision, and strengthening climate-related data systems.
The Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination is projected to receive Rs2.5 billion, primarily targeting forestry, biodiversity conservation, afforestation, and ecosystem restoration efforts. Notable initiatives include the Pakistan Climate Innovation and Green Growth Initiative, designed to equip youth with green skills and foster entrepreneurship through a Green Innovation Fund. A National Forest and Tree Cover Assessment employing remote sensing and machine learning technologies is also planned to improve forest monitoring and restoration strategies.
Further government plans emphasize climate-smart agriculture, efficient water management, disaster risk reduction, green industrialization, circular economy projects, and the development of domestic carbon market mechanisms to promote sustainable economic growth.
This focus on resilience comes amid Pakistan’s growing vulnerability to climate-related disasters. The Annual Plan highlights the devastating floods of 2010, 2011, 2014, 2022, and 2025, which inflicted significant human and economic damage, disrupting infrastructure and livelihoods nationwide.
Referencing a 2022 World Bank report, the plan notes that Pakistan incurs average annual losses of approximately $2 billion due to floods and earthquakes. These losses could escalate dramatically, reaching $250 billion by 2030 and $1.2 trillion by 2050, with damages in key sectors potentially accounting for up to 30% of GDP during peak disaster years. This underscores the critical need to strengthen climate adaptation and disaster preparedness measures across the country.
