ISLAMABAD (Kashmir English): The Ministry of Food Security has released a report on the damage caused to agriculture by the recent floods.
Crops were destroyed on 2.4 million hectares in Punjab, while overall cotton was damaged by 5.2 percent and the sugarcane crop by 13 percent.
According to the document, the standing sugarcane crop was damaged on 274,000 hectares, rice crop by 15.5 percent, and 998,000 hectares of land were destroyed. 242,000 hectares of maize, 9 percent of fodder, and 12 percent of sesame crops were destroyed.
According to the report, the flood destroyed 44 percent of vegetables and 12.5 percent of orchards.
There is a risk that the price of wheat will increase due to flooding. Delay in sowing of wheat in the Rabi season may increase dependence on imports.
Decrease in production, increase in the price of seeds, and Wheat imports may increase inflation.
More than 6 million people were affected by the floods in Punjab. If vaccination is not done on time, there is a risk of spreading diseases, including liposuction among animals.
NDMA Flood Report
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has revealed that at least 1,006 people lost their lives during recent rains and floods in the country, while 3.02 million individuals were rescued in flood-hit regions since June 26, marking the beginning of this monsoon season.
The authority has released fresh figures, revealing that torrential rains and flash floods had prompted 5,768 rescue operations countrywide.
It said during the operations, 273,524 relief items were distributed among the affectedees, while 662,098 people received medical treatment at 741 camps established under the coordinated efforts of the NDMA, Provincial Disaster Management Authorities (PDMAs), the Pakistan Army, and other rescue agencies.
The NDMA figures show Punjab accounted for the highest number of fatalities, with 304 deaths – including 110 children, 143 men, and 51 women.
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa reported 504 deaths, which included 90 children, 338 men, and 76 women.
Sindh reported 80 deaths, including 35 children, while Balochistan also confirmed 30 flood-related deaths.
Gilgit-Baltistan lost 41 lives, Azad Jammu and Kashmir 38, and Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) recorded nine deaths.
Flood-related incidents left 1,063 people injured
The NDMA said that flood-related incidents also left 1,063 people injured nationwide.
Punjab again reported the highest number of injuries, with 661 individuals affected. Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa reported 218 injuries, Sindh 87, Gilgit-Baltistan 52, AJK 37, Balochistan five, and ICT reported three injuries.
Punjab reported the highest number of rescues, with 2.81 million people evacuated through 4,749 operations.
Sindh followed with 184,011 rescues in 753 operations, while KP evacuated 14,317 people in 211 operations.
