Flood Losses in Pakistan Estimated at Rs63.79 Billion – Punjab’s Agriculture Worst Hit

ISLAMABAD, September 17, 2025 – The federal government has received initial estimates of flood damages across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Gilgit-Baltistan (GB), and Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJK). Losses have been valued at Rs63.79 billion so far, according to official sources.

Preliminary reports show that reconstruction needs in KP, GB, and AJK alone are expected to reach Rs44.47 billion.

Overall damages, including to infrastructure, crops, livestock, and housing, are estimated at the equivalent of US $227 million.

• Crops, livestock, and homes worth Rs17.89 billion were destroyed.

• Additional damages of Rs45.90 billion were also reported.

Officials stressed these are only initial assessments, and the final figures may rise once full evaluations are completed.

Punjab has suffered the most devastating agricultural impact. Floodwaters submerged over 2.2 million acres of farmland, with 1 million acres of standing rice crop completely wiped out.

Authorities confirmed that:

• Rice, sugarcane, corn, and cotton fields have been badly hit.

• Sugarcane crops spread across 2.5 million acres were damaged.

• Corn and cotton fields also sustained major losses.

Government proposals under review include waiving taxes and irrigation fees for farmers in flood-stricken districts such as Hafizabad, Sialkot, Narowal, Gujranwala, Gujarat, and Multan.

Compared to Punjab, Sindh has reported relatively limited agricultural damage. Around 3 percent of the onion crop was destroyed, while most floodwaters stayed within riverbanks.

Only low-lying Kachha areas were significantly affected, sparing Sindh’s wider agricultural belt from major destruction.

The disaster has created a serious challenge for Pakistan’s agriculture and food security. With rice and sugarcane production heavily impacted, concerns are growing over rising food prices and economic pressure on rural communities.

Authorities are expected to release updated figures as assessments continue.