Monsoon season officially ends in Punjab, leaving extensive flooding that impacted approximately 45 million people and decimated 2.5 million acres of farmland.
Monsoon Season in Punjab Officially Over, but Recovery Efforts Continue
The monsoon season in Pakistan's Punjab province has come to an end, officially declared so by the Director General (DG) of PDMA Punjab, Irfan Ali Kathia, on Friday. However, the aftermath of the season's devastation remains a pressing concern, with over 44.7 million people affected by the rains and deluges.
The catastrophe has claimed the lives of at least 1,006 people nationwide since June 26, with 123 deaths occurring in Punjab since August 26, and 300 people losing their lives since the start of the monsoons. In Punjab alone, more than 2.48 million acres of farmland have been lost, with the biggest losses to rice (44 percent), followed by corn (16 percent), sugarcane (13 percent), and cotton (5 percent).
The disaster has taken a heavy toll on livestock as well, with 1,779 animals killed, and 824 more missing. The government has stepped up to transport more than 2 million animals to safety.
Rescue agencies worked tirelessly during the peak of the crisis, saving 2.4 million people, with 37,000 boat trips conducted by Punjab's Rescue 1122 and the Pakistan Army. A total of 500 relief camps were established to provide shelter and aid to those affected.
The floods have also caused significant infrastructure damage, with the M5 Motorway, linking Multan with other parts of Punjab, being affected by floodwaters in a 22-kilometer stretch. 73 culverts came under stress, and five were damaged. Repairs to the M5 Motorway are underway with support from the National Highway Authority and federal agencies.
The disaster has reinforced fears of long-term food insecurity in Pakistan's breadbasket province. To assess the extent of the losses, a digital survey starting Sept. 24 will be conducted to assess crop, livestock, structural, and human losses for compensation.
Despite the end of the monsoon season, 106,000 people are still living in relief camps across southern Punjab districts. The efforts to rebuild and recover are ongoing, and the government, along with various aid organizations, continue to provide support to those affected.
The floods in 2022, which killed 1,700 people, affected 33 million, and caused over $30 billion in economic damage, serve as a stark reminder of the impact of climate change on Pakistan, a country that contributes only one percent of global greenhouse gas emissions. The nation's most severely affected by climate change, the floods highlight the urgent need for global action to combat climate change.
As the nation begins to rebuild, the focus remains on providing aid, assessing losses, and working towards a more resilient future.
Read also:
- Russia, according to Zelensky, lacks the prowess for launching another significant offensive.
- Russia's Latest Peace Proposals for Donbas: New Diplomatic Landscape Emerges amid Alaska Summit, Potentially Opening Ceasefire Opportunities
- Amidst India's escalating climate crisis, transgender individuals continue to persevere
- Contentious Discussion Surrounding the Movie Release of "Planet of the Humans"
