What initiatives has the govt planned for FY27 to boost weather forecasting, early warning systems?

Pakistan is bolstering its weather forecasting and disaster preparedness capabilities with a Rs1.6 billion allocation for the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) in the fiscal year 2026-27. This funding, detailed in the government's Annual Plan 2026-27, aims to strengthen national resilience against climate-related threats.

The allocation includes Rs344 million for a proposed National Centre for Rainfall Enhancement, which will support water security, climate adaptation, and agricultural productivity. Additionally, Rs195 million and Rs5 million have been earmarked for weather surveillance radar projects in Multan and Sukkur, respectively, to improve real-time monitoring and early warning systems. A substantial Rs1 billion is designated for the modernization of Hydromet Services across Pakistan, focusing on upgrading infrastructure, enhancing forecasting accuracy, and reinforcing climate data systems.

The government's focus on resilience is driven by Pakistan's significant exposure to climate-related disasters. The Annual Plan highlights major floods in 2010, 2011, 2014, 2022, and 2025, which caused extensive human and economic losses. Projections indicate that these losses could escalate dramatically, potentially reaching $250 billion by 2030 and $1.2 trillion by 2050, with peak disaster years causing damage equivalent to up to 30% of GDP in priority sectors. This underscores the urgent need for enhanced climate adaptation and disaster preparedness measures.