Pakistan is facing a looming food crisis as torrential rains and surging floods devastate Punjab’s farmlands, the nation’s breadbasket. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) confirmed that over 2 million people have been affected, while more than 700,000 residents have been evacuated to safer areas.
The destruction of ready-to-harvest crops, livestock, homes, and villages has not only caused human tragedy but also raised fears of inflation, rising imports, and food insecurity.
Farmers’ Losses Run into Billions
Agricultural leaders warn of losses worth billions of rupees after standing crops of rice, sugarcane, sesame, cotton, and maize were destroyed.
“Rice has suffered the most as the floods hit major rice-producing districts,” said Waqar Ahmad, Secretary General of the Kisan Board of Pakistan. Another farmer leader, Khalid Mehmood Khokhar of the Kissan Ittehad Council, said farmers had “lost everything,” including fodder for livestock.
Economists now fear Pakistan will be forced to increase imports, worsening the balance of payments and further fueling inflation.
UN Warns of Climate Change Impact
UN Humanitarian Coordinator Mo Yahya described the crisis as a climate-driven disaster.
“Flooded rice fields stretch as far as the eye can see. Farmers now face months without crops or income,” he said after visiting flood-hit Hafizabad. He added: “This isn’t normal, yet it’s becoming the new normal. This is not just another natural disaster; this is climate change.”
Rising Death Toll and Nationwide Impact
According to the NDMA, at least 863 people have died since June 26 due to monsoon rains and floods. The worst-hit province is Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, reporting 484 deaths, followed by Punjab (216), Sindh (58), Gilgit-Baltistan (41), Azad Kashmir (30), Balochistan (28) and Islamabad (8).
Over 9,000 houses have been damaged, while 6,180 livestock have perished. In Punjab alone, more than 2,300 villages have been inundated.
Inflation and Food Security Threats Ahead
Financial analysts warn of a spike in food inflation in September. Wheat, vegetables, and cotton are expected to drive prices upward.
“Shortages will push the government to increase imports, particularly of wheat, cotton, and vegetables,” said Adnan Sami Sheikh, of Pakistan Kuwait Investment Company. “This will impact the balance of payments and increase government borrowing.”
Meanwhile, the Pakistan Fruit and Vegetable Exporters Association urged the government to temporarily lift levies on imports from Afghanistan and Iran to cushion looming shortages.
Agriculture at Risk of Setback
Agriculture contributes 24% of Pakistan’s GDP and employs nearly half of the workforce. With floods damaging soil fertility and major crops, experts warn of reduced output in wheat, rice, sugarcane, and cotton, impacting both exports and national growth.
“This catastrophe will leave long-term scars on Pakistan’s agriculture and economy,” said Imdad Hussain Siddiqui, former director of operations at Sindh’s PDMA.
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