Launch of Multi-Hazard Vulnerability and Risk Assessment (MHVRA) for Rawalpindi, Islamabad, and Nowshera

Islamabad, Pakistan – The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), and the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), officially launched the Multi-Hazard Vulnerability and Risk Assessment (MHVRA) for the districts of Rawalpindi, Islamabad, and Nowshera. This milestone marks a key achievement under the project titled “Enhancing Community, Local, and National-Level Urban Climate Change Resilience to Water Scarcity Caused by Floods and Droughts”, funded by the Adaptation Fund Board. The project is being implemented in collaboration with the Ministry of Climate Change, NDMA, PCRWR, WASA and TMA Nowshera. Their technical expertise and local knowledge have been integral in ensuring the quality and relevance of the assessment. Additional Deputy Commissioner, ICT along with his team attended the launching event.

akistan, one of the most climate-vulnerable countries in the world, faces an increasing frequency and intensity of natural hazards—floods, droughts, landslides, glacial lake outburst floods, and more. These threats are further exacerbated by unplanned urban growth, population pressure, settlement in high-risk areas, and the impacts of climate change. Speaking at the launch event, Mr. Jawed Ali Khan, Senior Advisor and Habitat Programme Manager at UN-Habitat Pakistan, emphasized the importance of evidence-based tools like MHVRA for building climate resilience at all levels. The MHVRA provides a comprehensive analysis of climate-related risks and vulnerabilities in the selected districts and serves as a critical tool to guide urban resilience planning, risk-informed development, and disaster preparedness.

Mr. Raza Iqbal, Senior Director Plans, NDMA, highlighted that comprehensive risk assessments at the Union Council level in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and Nowshera, enabling us to identify key vulnerabilities and hazards, particularly climate-induced disasters such as floods and droughts. He also highlighted that the findings from this study serve as a foundation for developing targeted disaster risk reduction strategies, updating infrastructure resilience measures, and fostering community preparedness. Mr. Haris Mir, Deputy Manager, GIS, NDMA explained that for Rawalpindi, the MHVRA finds the city particularly prone to urban flash floods, primarily due to the overflow of Nullah Lai—an already vulnerable natural drainage channel—during the monsoon season. Encroachments along its banks and limited drainage capacity have significantly increased flood risks and led to frequent damage to property and infrastructure. Islamabad, despite being a planned city, is also experiencing localized flooding due to inadequate stormwater management systems and rapid land-use changes that increase surface runoff and flood exposure. Nowshera, situated along the Kabul River, is highly vulnerable to riverine flooding, with past events such as the catastrophic 2010 floods demonstrating the need for urgent interventions. The study maps high-risk flood zones in Nowshera and identifies critical infrastructure vulnerabilities and potential flood inundation extents.

The report highlights drought risks in all three districts. Despite moderate rainfall, Islamabad and Rawalpindi face growing water stress due to urban expansion, deforestation, and rising demand, compounded by groundwater depletion and higher temperatures. In Nowshera, reliance on rainfall for agriculture makes it highly vulnerable during dry spells, worsened by poor irrigation and deforestation. The MHVRA recommends mitigation measures such as improved drainage, reinforced Kabul River embankments, and nature-based flood absorption solutions. Its findings will inform national and local policies, strengthen capacity, and enhance disaster response planning.

PCRWR and WASA also presented their completed work done under the Adaptation Fund Project. PCRWR built capacity of 107 government officials to plan, construct, operate, maintain and replicate flood resilient water harvesting facilities and to enhance capacity in developing spatial plans. WASA installed 33 rainwater harvesting facilities on public buildings in Rawalpindi.

With continued support from the Adaptation Fund Board, UN-Habitat remains committed to working alongside the Government of Pakistan and local implementation partners to strengthen community resilience and reduce the risks associated with climate-induced hazards.