Karachi: Pakistan faces a growing humanitarian and economic crisis as unprecedented monsoon floods batter the country’s heartlands and industrial hubs, threatening food security and undermining fiscal plans. The floods, fueled by record rains since late June and amplified by dam releases from India, have submerged vast areas of Punjab and Sindh, two provinces critical to Pakistan’s agriculture and manufacturing.
Authorities and analysts warn that the scale of destruction may surpass the 2022 floods, which had already drowned a third of the nation. Satellite data and field reports reveal that at least 220,000 hectares of rice fields have been inundated, while Punjab’s farmlands for rice, cotton, and maize totaling 1.8 million acres are partially or completely submerged. Khalid Bath, chairman of the Pakistan Farmers Association, noted that 50% of rice crops and 60% of cotton and maize have been damaged, with estimated losses potentially exceeding 2.5 million acres, valued at $3.53 billion.
The floods strike at a critical juncture as wheat sowing, essential for nearly half of Pakistan’s caloric intake, approaches. Experts caution that silt-laden fields may delay planting, raising the risk of food insecurity. Vegetable production has already suffered catastrophic losses, exceeding 90% in some districts, heightening concerns over soaring prices and shortages.
Industrial zones have not been spared. Factories producing cotton textiles, surgical equipment, and other goods face operational paralysis due to inundation and supply chain disruptions. The central bank has projected a temporary but significant supply shock, while the Planning Minister, Ahsan Iqbal, acknowledged the floods would set back GDP growth, previously forecast at 4.2% for 2026. Commodity prices for wheat, sugar, onions, and tomatoes have already surged, pushing the sensitive price index to a 26-month high.
The International Monetary Fund is set to review Pakistan’s Extended Fund Facility this week, evaluating whether fiscal measures can address the emergency needs caused by the deluge. Economists warn that the floods could expand the current account deficit by $7 billion, potentially eclipsing prior disaster impacts. Amid widespread devastation, the nation grapples with both immediate humanitarian relief and long-term strategies to bolster climate resilience.