A devastating 2025 flash flood accounted for almost all reported financial losses, while disasters claimed 1,170 lives and affected nearly 6.9 million people.
ISLAMABAD: Natural disasters caused estimated damages of $3.005 billion in Pakistan during 2025 and 2026, with a devastating flash flood accounting for almost the entire reported financial loss, according to the Economic Survey of Pakistan 2026.
Data from EM-DAT (The International Disaster Database) showed that disasters recorded during the period resulted in total reported damages of $3.005 billion.
Flash Flood Accounts for $3bn Loss
The largest financial loss was recorded in 2025, when a flash flood caused estimated damages of $3 billion.
The disaster also affected more than 6.9 million people, underlining the scale of its economic and humanitarian impact.
The flash flood accounted for almost the entire monetary loss recorded from natural disasters during the period, highlighting the particularly severe economic consequences of major flooding in Pakistan.
Severe Weather Causes Additional $5m Damage
In 2026, severe weather caused an additional $5 million in reported damages.
The Economic Survey did not provide monetary loss estimates for several other disasters recorded during the period, including a general storm in 2025, severe weather in 2025 and an earthquake in 2026.
As a result, the total reported financial damage remains concentrated in two events: the $3 billion flash flood in 2025 and the $5 million severe-weather event in 2026.
Disasters Claim 1,170 Lives
The economic losses were accompanied by a significant human toll.
According to the survey, disasters collectively claimed 1,170 lives and affected 6,903,755 people during 2025-26.
The overwhelming share of the human and financial impact was associated with the 2025 flash flood.
The figures demonstrate the vulnerability of communities and economic infrastructure to increasingly severe weather events.
Heavy Economic Cost of Extreme Weather
The reported losses underline the substantial economic cost of natural disasters, particularly floods, which can cause widespread damage to infrastructure, disrupt livelihoods and affect economic activity.
Major disasters can also place additional pressure on government resources by increasing the need for emergency relief, reconstruction and rehabilitation.
For Pakistan, the latest figures highlight the importance of strengthening disaster preparedness, climate resilience and infrastructure capable of withstanding extreme weather events.
The $3.005 billion in reported damages during 2025-26 provides a stark indication of the financial risks associated with natural disasters, while the millions of people affected demonstrate the broader social and economic consequences.
Source: Economic Survey of Pakistan 2026; EM-DAT (The International Disaster Database).