- Project to Reinforce Dikes in Larkana Region and Protect Nearly 790,000 Residents
ISLAMABAD, September 8, 2026: The Government of Japan has extended a grant aid of ¥2.6 billion to Pakistan for the Project for Flood Protection and Dike Improvement on the Indus River in Sindh Province, aimed at strengthening flood resilience and protecting vulnerable communities in one of the country’s most flood-prone regions.
The Notes concerning the grant were signed and exchanged in Islamabad between Ambassador of Japan to Pakistan H.E. AKAMATSU Shuichi and Secretary of the Ministry of Economic Affairs Muhammad Humair Karim on September 7, 2026.
Subsequently, the Grant Agreement for the project was signed and exchanged by SUGAWARA Takayuki, Senior Representative of the JICA Pakistan Office, and Sabina Qureshi, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Economic Affairs.
Concrete-Based Dike Reinforcement to Enhance Flood Resilience
The project seeks to reduce the risk of dike breaches and the severe economic losses associated with flooding by reinforcing vulnerable sections of the river embankment in the Larkana region of Sindh Province.
The planned works include riverbank erosion protection and comprehensive dike reinforcement. A stronger concrete-based embankment construction method will be adopted, an approach that remains relatively uncommon in Pakistan but is expected to provide greater durability and significantly reduce the risk of future breaches.
The enhanced infrastructure will strengthen the ability of communities along the Indus River to withstand increasingly severe flooding and minimize damage caused by inundation.
Protection for Nearly 790,000 People
Pakistan remains highly vulnerable to floods, while the Larkana region is particularly exposed to large-scale flood risks. The project is expected to reduce flood risks for approximately 790,000 residents and help limit inundation, economic losses and disruption caused by future disasters.
Beyond protecting lives, the initiative will safeguard agricultural land, local communities, infrastructure and livelihoods, providing a stronger foundation for sustainable development in the region.
Japan’s Expertise in Disaster Risk Reduction
Japan, which has extensive experience in disaster preparedness and flood management, places strong emphasis on proactive measures designed to prevent or reduce the impact of natural disasters before they occur.
The importance of such measures has grown as climate change and global warming contribute to increasingly frequent and severe natural disasters worldwide.
Ambassador AKAMATSU: Japan Committed to Pakistan’s Resilience
Ambassador AKAMATSU Shuichi underscored Japan’s continued commitment to supporting Pakistan’s recovery and disaster resilience.
“In 2022, Pakistan experienced the most devastating flood in its history. To support the nation’s recovery and reconstruction, the Government of Japan has been fully committed to providing vital assistance,” he said.
He emphasized Japan’s focus on practical disaster-prevention measures and said the project would help minimize the risk of dike breaches and protect communities from potentially devastating flood damage by drawing on Japan’s experience and expertise.
“We recognize this project as a vital initiative aligned with Pakistan’s planning and policy efforts, contributing to the building of a resilient society capable of mitigating future disasters,” Ambassador AKAMATSU said.
“I hope this project will provide reassurance to the people of Pakistan as a reliable safeguard against future floods,” he added.
JICA Highlights Long-Term Benefits
SUGAWARA Takayuki, Senior Representative of the JICA Pakistan Office, said the project would introduce concrete reinforcement to rehabilitate vulnerable sections of the dike.
“While this is a relatively rare approach in Pakistan and requires higher initial investment costs, it is anticipated to deliver more sustainable and long-lasting development impacts,” he said.
“This project is not just about building stronger dikes. It is about protecting lives, safeguarding livelihoods, and building a more resilient Sindh Province for future generations,” SUGAWARA added.
Strengthening Pakistan-Japan Cooperation on Disaster Management
The project is expected to reinforce flood protection along the vulnerable Indus River basin and reduce future flood damage and related economic losses.
It will also contribute to sustainable flood-risk management, stronger disaster preparedness and greater climate resilience, further strengthening cooperation between Pakistan and Japan in the field of disaster risk reduction.
By combining Japan’s technical expertise with Pakistan’s efforts to strengthen disaster preparedness, the initiative represents an important investment in protecting communities, agriculture and critical infrastructure from the growing threat of climate-related disasters.
BY: The Times Union
