Pakistan Floods Cause $2.9B Damage, 229,000 Homes Lost

Recent floods in Pakistan have inflicted widespread destruction, leaving the nation grappling with an estimated $2.9 billion in damages, officials report. The calamity has affected homes, infrastructure, and agricultural production, prompting urgent recovery efforts.

According to the preliminary assessment by the Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, around 229,000 houses across the country have been damaged. Roads, bridges, schools, hospitals, commercial zones, and water infrastructure have also suffered significant destruction. Specifically, 2,811 km of roads, 790 bridges, 129 public buildings, 2,267 educational institutions, 243 health facilities, 1,297 commercial areas, and 86 water infrastructure sites were impacted.

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Agriculture, a backbone of Pakistan’s economy, has borne the brunt of the disaster. Estimates indicate losses of approximately 3 million to 3.4 million bales of cotton, 1 million tonnes of rice, and between 1.3 million to 3.3 million tonnes of sugarcane. The total agricultural damage is valued at roughly $1.53 billion, highlighting the severe blow to rural livelihoods.

Infrastructure damage accounts for an estimated $1.1 billion. Experts warn that such destruction could reduce Pakistan’s GDP growth by 0.3 to 0.7 percentage points for the fiscal year 2025-26, adjusting the economic outlook from 4.2% to a projected 3.5-3.9%. The disaster could also push unemployment higher, potentially affecting 220,000 workers.

The government is undertaking a detailed post-disaster assessment to better understand the full scale of economic losses and to guide rehabilitation. Efforts will focus on rebuilding critical infrastructure, restoring livelihoods, and strengthening resilience against future climate-related events.

While the immediate impact is severe, Pakistan’s long-term recovery will depend on coordinated rebuilding strategies, financial support, and timely interventions to protect the most vulnerable communities.