Pakistan has taken a major step toward strengthening its flood warning system by launching a $10 million World Bank–backed project to modernize its weather forecasting and disaster management capabilities. The initiative aims to protect millions of people from the worsening impact of floods and climate change by improving early warning accuracy and preparedness across the country.
A Response to Deadly Monsoon Seasons
The announcement follows one of Pakistan’s most devastating monsoon seasons in recent years. According to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), at least 1,037 people have died, and over 2.5 million acres of farmland have been damaged by torrential rains and flash floods. The monsoons submerged large areas of Punjab and Sindh, washing away homes, crops, and infrastructure, and highlighting the urgent need for modern forecasting tools.
Government officials emphasized that the new system will help predict extreme weather events more precisely, allowing communities and authorities to respond faster and minimize losses.
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Project Overview and Key Objectives
The initiative, titled “Modernization of Hydromet Services of Pakistan (MHSP),” is being carried out by the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD). It is part of the broader World Bank–funded Integrated Flood Resilience Adaptation Project (IFRAP), designed to strengthen the country’s climate resilience and disaster preparedness.
Under the MHSP, the PMD will receive new technology and infrastructure to enhance its capacity to collect, analyze, and share hydrometeorological data. The goal is to provide accurate, real-time weather information to farmers, disaster management agencies, and local authorities nationwide.
A senior Planning Ministry official said the project would be a “turning point” for Pakistan’s disaster management system. “The MHSP will provide timely and precise forecasts critical for agriculture, water resource management, and disaster risk reduction,” the official noted.
Major Investments in Modern Equipment
The project, led by the Ministry of Planning, has been allocated Rs2.99 billion ($10.8 million) under the Public Sector Development Programme for FY2025–26.
It includes the installation of 110 automatic weather stations across the country, four fixed weather surveillance radars, and a high-performance computing system to improve forecasting speed and reliability. The advanced computing setup will allow meteorologists to process large volumes of atmospheric data for real-time analysis, enhancing early warnings for floods, storms, and heatwaves.
Expanding Regional Meteorological Capacity
Beyond equipment upgrades, the project also focuses on institutional modernization. Plans include upgrading the Institute of Meteorology and Geophysics and the Meteorological Workshop in Karachi. Additionally, new Regional Climate Data Processing Centers will be established to decentralize weather data management and make regional forecasting more responsive.
The project will also help develop a National Framework for Climate Services and a National Hydromet Policy. These frameworks will guide how Pakistan collects, manages, and uses climate data for national planning and disaster risk reduction.
Implementation Progress and Funding Adjustments
As of September 2025, significant progress has been made in implementing the MHSP. The procurement process for automatic weather stations has been completed, while technical evaluations for the radar systems and system integrator consultancies are in their final stages.
However, officials noted that market costs have risen since the project’s approval, creating a financing gap. The PMD has requested an additional $42 million and tax exemptions to cover these increased expenses. Discussions are underway with the World Bank and other development partners to secure the necessary funding.
Strengthening Flood Forecasting and Disaster Preparedness
Pakistan’s push for modern forecasting systems comes after years of recurring natural disasters that exposed major weaknesses in its early warning mechanisms. The 2022 floods alone killed around 1,700 people and caused over $30 billion in damages — one of the worst climate-related catastrophes in the nation’s history.
Officials believe the new MHSP project will reduce such risks by integrating advanced technology, real-time monitoring, and rapid information sharing between local and national agencies.
The modernized flood warning system will help decision-makers issue timely alerts to vulnerable communities. It will also assist farmers in managing irrigation and planting schedules based on accurate weather predictions, reducing agricultural losses.
A Step Toward Climate Resilience
The World Bank’s support reflects growing international recognition of Pakistan’s vulnerability to climate change. The country ranks among the top ten globally affected by climate disasters despite contributing less than 1% to global greenhouse gas emissions.
Through initiatives like the MHSP, Pakistan aims to shift from reactive disaster response to proactive climate risk management. Enhanced weather modeling, coupled with community-level preparedness, can significantly reduce the human and economic toll of future floods.
Looking Ahead
Once completed, the upgraded system will form the backbone of Pakistan’s climate resilience strategy. It will serve not only as a national warning mechanism but also as a data-driven decision support tool for urban planning, agriculture, and infrastructure development.
Officials stress that sustained investment and international collaboration are essential to ensure long-term success. As Pakistan faces growing climate challenges, the modernization of its meteorological and hydrological services represents a vital step toward protecting lives, livelihoods, and economic stability in the years to com
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