Devastating Floods Ravage Pakistan’s Food Basket, Triggering Fears of Shortages

Pakistan had faced a food crisis in September 2025 due to the catastrophic rains and floods. Contact of local farmers with the United Nations has issued emergency warnings about the destruction of livestock, crops, and livelihoods, especially in the province of Punjab. With 70% of the standing rice crop wiped out and more rain in the upcoming days, the nation is ready for shortages of food and inflation. So, let’s explore the crisis, impacts, and some steps to say goodbye to these difficulties.

The Scale of Destruction: Floods Devastate Punjab’s Agriculture

In the province of Pakistan, Punjab, due to heavy monsoon rains the large areas of Punjab have been destroyed, including hundreds of schools, villages, and health centers. The officially authorized reports state that the floods have affected over 2 million people, forcing more than 700,000 people to leave their homes. The most powerful floodwaters have taken around 50 lives, totally swept away livestock, and ruined several fields of crops, especially nearer to streams which are ready for harvest, including sugarcane, rice, and sesame—key staples of the agriculture of Pakistan.

Waqar Ahmad, secretary general of the Kisan Board of Pakistan, emphasized the severity: “Rice crop has particularly taken a toll as the floods have hit the major rice-producing districts.” Reports indicate that 70% of the standing rice crop has been lost, a devastating blow to Pakistan’s food security and economy.

Climate Change: The New Normal of Extreme Monsoons

The United Nations has linked these catastrophic floods to climate change, with Mo Yahya, the UN resident and humanitarian coordinator, stating, “This isn’t normal—it’s becoming the new normal. Monsoons, driven by climate change, now bring fear and devastation to communities across Pakistan.” During the visit of Yahya to the flood-ravaged district of Hafizabad, he saw the endless fields underwater due to the destruction of heavy floods, leaving the poor farmers with no income for many months until the next season of planting.

The Climate scientists say that the stronger and destructive monsoon rains are a major cause. A 2025 study found that higher temperatures cause the atmosphere to hold more and more moisture, resulting in stronger rainfalls. Glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) are worsening the crisis in northern Pakistan because the melted glaciers are increasing the floodwaters. Due to the changes in weather, threats not only to Pakistan but also harm the supplies of global food, because Pakistan is a big exporter of rice and wheat.

Economic and Humanitarian Impacts: A Looming Food Crisis

The major cause of food shortages led to price spikes in the state, especially in the affected region like Punjab. And the full sweeping off of the livestock in the areas that were close to rivers has greater the value of the loss. The province of Punjab, which is also known as Pakistan’s foodbasket, grows much of the country’s sugarcane, rice, and sesame. The loss of 70% of the rice crop could disrupt not only food supplies but also locally and for export, which is affecting millions of people in Pakistan.

• Food Inflation: Economists warn that due to this natural incident, the crop losses will drive up food prices due to shortage, reversing recent declines in inflation (from 11.1% in 2024 to 4.1% in July 2025).
• Livestock Losses: Over 1,000 livestock have been lost, which is the biggest loss for the state as well as for the people whose economy was dependent on livestock.
• Displacement: The number of affected people is more than 2 million, who have been evacuated to camps or safe places with the proper supply of water, food, and shelter.  
• Health Risks: Floodwaters have caused a sharp rise in waterborne diseases like malaria, with cases jumping from 400,000 in 2021 to 1.6 million in 2022 after heavy floods.

As the water of the flood flows south toward the Indus River, the southern province of Sindh is at risk of heavy flooding, preparing for more destruction in the coming days for the authorities.

Voices from the Ground: Farmers and Communities in Crisis

In Chiniot, Punjab, Farmers like Muhammad Amjad are facing heavy losses. Amjad shared with Reuters, standing beside his flooded fields, “Thirteen of my 15 acres are gone,”. “Our rice is completely destroyed due to heavy flooding.” The farmers could easily push into poverty and worsen food insecurity for many months due to the loss of income. 

In the city of Karachi, heavy flooding has brought the city to a standstill, with roads filled with water from the flood and power outages for many hours. Social media posts show that the citizens are wading through waist-deep floodwater, which is revealing that how the crisis of destructive flood is hitting both urban and rural areas hard.

What’s Being Done? Humanitarian and Government Response

The government of Pakistan is in contact with the humanitarian and UN agencies, and has been supported by mobilized extensive relief efforts for the affected areas:

• Rescue Operations: In Punjab, more than 2,000 officials are carrying out rescue and evacuation efforts, with 511 relief camps, 351 medical sites, and 321 veterinary facilities established to support those affected.
• UN Support: UNICEF is providing everyone the hygiene kits and working to restore clean water supplies, while the WHO is monitoring diseases to prevent outbreaks.
• Early Warning Systems: An early warning system has successfully reduced the impact of a glacial lake outburst flood in Ghizer, which contributed to saving many lives and highlighted the need to expand such systems overall the country.

Also Read: Pakistan Floods 2025: Half a Million Evacuated as Rivers Overwhelm Punjab

Actionable Steps to Mitigate the Crisis

To address looming food shortages and support affected communities, stakeholders can take the following steps:

1. Emergency Food Aid: Distribute clean food supplies to displaced families and those in relief camps to prevent urgent hunger.
2. Crop Recovery Programs: Provide seeds, fertilizers, and financial aid to farmers to replant crops for the next season.
3. Infrastructure Improvements: Invest in flood-resistant drainage systems and early warning technologies to mitigate future disasters.
4. Climate Adaptation: Implement climate-resilient agricultural practices, such as drought- and flood-resistant crop varieties.
5. International Support: Industrial nations must reduce greenhouse gas emissions to curb the climate-driven monsoons affecting vulnerable countries like Pakistan.

FAQs: Understanding Pakistan’s Flood Crisis

Call to Action

The floods in Pakistan need urgent action. Please share your thoughts with us in the comments below: How can global communities support the recovery of Pakistan?