Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif ordered week-long uninterrupted electricity supply in flood-hit areas of Gilgit-Baltistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, as road and power supply was restored in these areas on Tuesday. In another development, the prime minister talked to Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah and assured all-out support of the federal government for the safety, rescue and relief of the people of Sindh and Karachi who were badly hit by torrential rains on Tuesday.

The prime minister also directed the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Chairman to be prepared to meet the situation expected to occur during the rains in Sindh in the next two weeks. Presiding over a high-level meeting to review relief and rehabilitation operations in the flood-affected areas, the PM said: “Ensure a week-long uninterrupted power supply to all flood-hit areas and seamless electricity for those who have lost loved ones, are injured, or whose homes are damaged is not just a duty, it’s a pious act.”

Meanwhile, Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan visited Gilgit-Baltistan and expressed satisfaction over the restoration of traffic in the minimum time. He was informed that the National Highway Authority and Frontier Works Organisation have jointly worked on a war-footing basis on the affected highways and within minimal time opened Skardu and its surrounding roads for traffic while construction work on some bridges is still in progress. He noted that heavy rains and flash floods on August 15 severely damaged lives, property and the communications system; however, NHA promptly began repair work and already opened several roads and highways in Gilgit-Baltistan for traffic, with rehabilitation work in progress at various locations, especially where bridges have been washed away.

Market Signals

Sector impacts and opportunities in energy, infrastructure, and agriculture.
The focus on stabilizing essential services creates opportunities for energy infrastructure companies.
Impact on commodity prices and supply chain disruptions in the food and agriculture sectors.

Stakeholder Impact

Winners: Construction companies, logistics providers, agribusinesses, renewable energy providers, suppliers of relief goods. Losers: Sectors dependent on damaged infrastructure; farmers; small businesses.

Action Timeline

Immediate: Restoration of power supply and road infrastructure in flood-affected areas.
Short-term: Accelerating reconstruction efforts, particularly in Sindh and Karachi, and focusing on tree plantation to mitigate disaster impacts.
Long-term: Building more resilient, climate-resilient infrastructure, strengthening the agriculture sector.

Risk Assessment

Regulatory Risks: Delays in approvals for reconstruction projects.
Market Volatility: Economic instability, inflation, and currency fluctuations could increase the cost of reconstruction materials.
Climate Change Impact: The recurring nature of extreme weather events poses a significant risk to long-term development.

Regional Perspective

The Prime Minister's directives highlight the need to prioritize the most affected regions like Gilgit-Baltistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, while also emphasizing support for Sindh, reflecting a regional focus on disaster recovery.

Immediate Implications

Ensuring continuous power supply to affected areas is crucial for restoring essential services and normalcy.
Immediate opportunities for construction companies and suppliers to rehabilitate road and power infrastructure.

What to Watch

Monitoring monsoon forecasts, especially in Sindh.
Announcements of tenders for infrastructure and reconstruction projects.
Pace and effectiveness of government relief disbursements.

Analysis

The Prime Minister's directives demonstrate a swift response to the crisis, with a focus on restoring essential services and supporting the most affected regions. Investment in resilient infrastructure is crucial to address future climate change challenges.