Rs825 billion flood protection plan still awaits physical implementation

A Rs825 billion national flood protection plan covering 375 projects has yet to start physical implementation

Islamabad: A Rs825 billion national flood protection plan covering 375 projects has yet to start physical implementation because of financial constraints and the failure to secure the required foreign funding, the National Assembly was informed during its 29th session.

The Ministry of Water Resources told the House that the updated National Flood Protection Plan IV includes 170 projects in its first phase at an estimated cost of Rs194.625 billion and 205 projects in the second phase costing Rs630 billion.

The first phase, known as the Flood Protection Sector Project III, was approved by the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council on June 27, 2023. However, the ministry said physical work on the project had not yet started.

According to the ministerial reply, 80 percent of the matching foreign funding required for the project is to be arranged by the Economic Affairs Division. The Federal Flood Commission is currently coordinating the implementation.

The National Flood Protection Plan IV was originally prepared after the major floods of 2010, 2011 and 2012 at an estimated cost of Rs332.246 billion and was approved by the Council of Common Interests in May 2017. It could not be implemented because of a lack of resources and donor funding.

Following the Prime Minister’s directive of August 29, 2022, the plan was updated to include lessons from the 2022 floods. The updated plan, containing 375 projects with a total estimated cost of Rs825 billion, was submitted to the Council of Common Interests on August 22, 2025 for approval.

The reply said the government and flood management agencies have taken several preparedness measures for the 2026 monsoon. The Federal Flood Commission has been holding coordination meetings with federal and provincial departments, reviewing restoration of damage from the 2025 floods and checking the implementation of flood plain regulations.

The commission’s Flood Communication Cell has been operating around the clock since June 15, 2026 and is collecting rainfall, river flow and reservoir data. The information is sent to federal and provincial authorities every 24 hours during normal or low flood conditions and every six hours when river levels are high.

The Federal Flood Commission has also been issuing daily flood situation reports since July 1, 2026.

The government said different agencies have separate responsibilities for flood management. The Ministry of Water Resources handles policy matters, while the Federal Flood Commission coordinates flood protection plans. WAPDA monitors river flows and major reservoirs, the Pakistan Meteorological Department provides weather and flood warnings, and the National Disaster Management Authority coordinates disaster response and relief.

The provincial irrigation departments are responsible for maintaining flood protection structures and carrying out inspections, while provincial and district disaster authorities handle rescue, relief and disaster management in their areas.

The ministry said flood protection agencies have also been directed to remove encroachments from flood plains and high risk areas, strengthen weak protection structures and complete necessary maintenance before the monsoon.

The reply was given in response to a National Assembly question about measures being taken to prevent losses caused by river bank erosion in the country.

The ministerial reply also showed that Rs34.862 billion had been invested by the Federal Flood Commission in 5,615 schemes and flood damage restoration projects between 1977 and 2023.