KARACHI: The federal government has moved to assess the full scale of destruction caused by the recent spell of heavy monsoon rains and flooding.
The Ministry of Water Resources, through its attached department—the Federal Flood Commission (FFC)—has formally requested comprehensive damage reports from all provinces, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan.
According to official correspondence, the FFC has written to the irrigation secretaries of the four provinces, as well as the Provincial Disaster Management Authorities (PDMAs). They have been directed to submit detailed accounts of damage caused by rain and floods. Two proformas have been dispatched, which must be completed and returned via fax on an urgent basis. They cover damage to buildings, property, crops, and livestock.
The reports are to be submitted at the tehsil and district levels. They must classify the intensity of flooding as low, medium, or high, and outline the immediate relief or protective measures taken by local administrations. Authorities have also been asked to provide estimates of funds needed for rehabilitation, the number of houses damaged or destroyed, and the extent of crop losses.
Provinces must also specify the compensation required for rebuilding homes, agricultural losses, and livestock damages. Information has been sought on relief camps, their staffing, and the total number of flood victims accommodated. The ministry stressed that the data must be shared without delay to allow timely compensation and rehabilitation efforts.
Pakistan remains highly vulnerable to floods during the monsoon season. Low-lying rural areas and major river belts are often worst affected. The 2022 floods caused unprecedented destruction across Sindh, Balochistan, Punjab, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Millions were displaced, and the losses were estimated at over $30 billion. While the current flooding appears less severe, reports from Sindh and parts of Punjab have highlighted crop damage, breaches in embankments, and displacement of communities.
The federal government’s move to collect detailed, province-wise data aims to coordinate financial assistance and recovery efforts. It also reflects growing concern over disaster preparedness and climate-related extreme weather events, which continue to impact the country.
