KARACHI: The Sindh government has sought a USD350-million-World Bank-financing package for a new Sindh Flood Resilience Project.
The project will strengthen the province’s ability to withstand future floods and climate-related disasters.
The proposal was presented at a meeting between Sindh government officials and a World Bank delegation chaired by Sindh Minister for Irrigation, Planning and Development Jam Khan Shoro.
The minister said the proposed project would focus on strengthening flood resilience along the right bank of the Indus River and improving the resilience of secondary cities to flooding, extreme heat and other climate-related hazards.
He said the 2022 floods had affected 14.6 million people in Sindh and caused an estimated USD9.1 billion in economic and infrastructure losses, while about 1.71 million houses were damaged or destroyed.
The seven districts located along the right bank of the Indus face a potential annual economic loss of USD1.11 billion from flooding, with around 2.23 million people at risk, he said.
Under the first pillar of the proposed project, detailed measures for basin-level flood resilience were discussed, with the objective of protecting the right bank from future flooding.
He said the proposed interventions had been identified through a research assessment by the Asian Institute of Technology.
The second pillar would focus on urban resilience, with investments planned to protect secondary cities from flooding, extreme heat and other climate risks.
“Future investments will take into account flood hazards, population vulnerability and gaps in urban services,” Shoro said, adding that region-based investment in urban drainage, roads, streets and public spaces was also under consideration.
The government was also considering environmentally friendly green solutions in urban areas, he said.
According to a briefing given on this occasion, the World Bank-supported programmes in Sindh have so far mobilised USD1.6 billion in financing.
More than 848 kilometres of roads and 205 kilometres of protective embankments have been rehabilitated, while more than 900,000 houses have been constructed or repaired.
The projects have also established 26 modern Rescue 1122 stations in 14 districts, the briefing said.
The concept clearance of the proposed Sindh Flood Resilience Project by the Central Development Working Party (CDWP) is expected by October 30, while approval of its PC-I is expected by December 2026, Jam Khan Shoro said.
He added that final approval by the World Bank’s board was expected by March 2027.
World Bank representatives at the meeting included lead urban specialist SaleemRohana, task team leader and disaster risk management specialist Bilal Khalid and Amparo Semper Heraldo.
Planning and Development Chairman Najam Shah, Irrigation Secretary ZarifKhero and P&D Board Member (Water) Muhammad Ehsan Laghari also attended the meeting.
The minister said strengthening rural and urban infrastructure against floods and climate-related risks remained a priority of the Sindh government.
”Sustainable urban planning, effective drainage and modern technology will strengthen Sindh’s capacity to cope with natural hazards,” he said.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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