Torrential rains and floods have devastated farmland across Pakistan, raising fears of food shortages and rising inflation. The disaster has wiped out crops, livestock, schools, and homes, especially in Punjab, the country’s top food-producing region. Nearly 50 people have died, and over 2 million have been affected. More than 700,000 people have been evacuated.
The UN says the situation is alarming and likely to worsen. UN coordinator Mo Yahya, after visiting flood-hit areas, said climate change is turning monsoons into disasters. He posted videos of submerged rice fields and warned that more rain is coming. Yahya called this a clear example of climate change, not just a natural event.
Farmers’ groups also raised the alarm. The Kisan Board of Pakistan said the floods destroyed rice, sugarcane, and sesame crops across Punjab. About 70% of the standing rice crop is gone. If more water flows in from India, remaining crops could be wiped out, worsening the crisis.
Experts also warned of soaring food prices. Waheed Ahmad from the Fruit and Vegetable Exporters Association said the floods have ruined massive crop areas in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He urged the government to allow more imports from Iran and Afghanistan to fill the supply gap.
The floodwaters are now moving south and could soon hit Sindh. Aid workers fear more villages will be flooded and more families displaced. The UN has called for urgent action to support affected communities, warning that this is only the beginning of a long and painful crisis.