The Asian Development Bank (ADB) issued a stern warning to Pakistan, highlighting the escalating threats of climate change, particularly an increased risk of water-related disasters like floods. Their report, “Applying Spatial Analysis to Assess Crop Damage: A Case Study of Pakistan 2022 Floods,” emphasizes the need for enhanced preparedness.
Pakistan, already ranked 8th most vulnerable to climate change according to the Global Climate Risk Index 2021, faces a future of rising temperatures, more frequent heatwaves, glacial melt, intensified droughts, and water scarcity for agriculture. The 2022 floods, a stark reminder of these vulnerabilities, caused an estimated $14.9 billion in economic losses, with the agricultural sector suffering a devastating $3.7 billion blow from damaged crops.
The ADB report, along with damage assessments supported by various organizations, emphasizes the importance of real-time crop damage assessments using spatial analysis. This data can be crucial for immediate disaster response and recovery efforts.
To strengthen Pakistan’s resilience, the ADB recommends:
- Boosting Expertise: Increase the number of GIS and remote sensing specialists within relevant government agencies.
- Data-Driven Decisions: Integrate spatial analysis into reporting systems for accurate and timely data, verified by field observations.
- Policymaker Education: Educate policymakers to interpret data for effective decision-making. Regularly share spatial analysis reports to build trust.
- Action Plans: Develop policies for early detection of crop damage, rapid field verification, resource mobilization, and communication with affected populations.
The ADB also highlights collaborative efforts in the region through their “Regional Action on Climate Change” program. This program promotes the use of an energy transition mechanism (ETM) to accelerate the retirement of coal-fired power plants and decarbonize key sectors. Both Kazakhstan and Pakistan are exploring ETM implementation.
Recent years have seen a rise in climate disasters across the region, from Pakistan’s floods to Afghanistan’s droughts and extreme heatwaves. The ADB’s report underscores the urgency for Pakistan to take immediate and strategic action to mitigate climate risks, protect its people, and safeguard its economy.