September 14, 2022

Pakistan cattle farmers affected by floods running low on feed

Pakistani officials said that cattle farmers stranded by unprecedented floods that have submerged vast swaths of Pakistan are running low on feed for their livestock because airdropping supplies proved to be challenging, Channel News Asia reported.

33 million people have been affected by the floods brought on by unprecedented monsoon rains and glacial melt in the northern mountains, which have killed nearly 1,400 people and caused US$30 billion in damage to homes, vehicles, crops, and livestock.

Farmers in several villages have braved the rising waters in the southern province of Sindh, one of the worst affected areas, to stay and attempt to save their remaining cattle.

Syed Murtaza Ali Shah, the top government official in the crucial provincial district of Dadu, said that there was a shortage of fodder for cattle and added that army and navy helicopters were attempting to get to the farmers.

More rain is expected over the next few days, which will pose a new threat to the thousands of displaced people living in tents or outside next to highways, making the situation worse.

Officials estimate that 700,000 cattle have been lost nationwide in the floods, and the remaining cattle, which are an important resource in a developing nation, are becoming malnourished.

The government and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres have both attributed the extreme weather that caused flooding in the 220 million-person South Asian nation to climate change.

After Pakistan received 391mm of rain in July and August, or nearly 190% more than the 30-year average, UN agencies are evaluating the country's reconstruction needs.

Dadu, which has 1.5 million people, is surrounded by floodwaters because Sindh received 466% more rain than usual.

-      Channel News Asia