Floods Ravage K-P’s Livestock and Farm Sector – Climate Change Threatens Rural Livelihoods
Floods in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have devastated livestock and agriculture, causing losses worth Rs1.86 billion. Climate change is worsening rural livelihoods, impacting both humans and animals.
The floods in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa this August unleashed devastation across rural communities, striking at the very heart of the province’s economy—its livestock and agriculture sectors. Torrential rains and swollen rivers submerged villages, washed away crops, and left thousands of families without a source of income.
According to official figures, these catastrophic floods caused damages exceeding Rs1.86 billion, raising fears of food insecurity and economic distress in the months ahead. Nearly 70 percent of K-P’s population depends on farming and animal husbandry for survival, making this disaster a severe blow to both human welfare and food security.
Massive Economic and Agricultural Losses
The floods in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have triggered a dual crisis—destroying not only physical infrastructure but also the province’s agricultural foundation. Crops in low-lying areas were completely washed away, while fertile topsoil was eroded, reducing land productivity for future harvests.
Experts warn that if immediate rehabilitation does not occur, the province could face a prolonged agricultural downturn, compounding existing economic challenges caused by inflation and supply shortages.
According to the K-P Livestock Department, the cumulative losses, both in animals and feed, amount to over Rs1.86 billion. This includes destruction to barns, veterinary hospitals, and community-based animal shelters. For small farmers, such losses are often irrecoverable without government or donor assistance.
Livestock Deaths and Feed Shortages
The heart-wrenching toll of the floods in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is evident in the staggering number of livestock deaths. The Livestock Department’s data shows that over 20,000 animals perished, including:
- 1,251 goats
- 568 sheep
- 1,101 cows
- 922 buffaloes
- 1,689 calves
- 15,200 poultry birds
In addition, 128,875 kilograms of feed concentrates and 16,821 tons of roughages were lost—critically affecting the province’s capacity to feed surviving animals.
Animal care hospitals in Torghar, Shangla, and Swat were heavily damaged, while 36 animal shelters were completely destroyed. This infrastructure loss has severely limited veterinary outreach and disease prevention efforts in flood-hit regions.
Impact on Rural Livelihoods
For the majority of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s rural residents, livestock and crops are more than sources of income—they are a lifeline. The destruction caused by the floods means that thousands of families now face uncertain futures.
Farmers who lost their cattle or poultry now struggle to afford daily essentials, and many are considering migration to urban centers in search of work. The floods have deepened poverty, disrupted local food chains, and heightened dependence on external aid.
A resident of Shangla told The Express Tribune:
“Our fields and animals were everything to us. The flood took them all. Now we are starting from zero.”
Voices from the Ground: Official Insights
During an event organized jointly by Brook Pakistan and the Livestock Department to mark World Animal Day, officials shed light on the scale of the crisis.
Asal Khan, Director of the K-P Livestock Department, told reporters:
“We are working in flood-affected districts to restore animal health services and minimize further losses. Climate change is severely affecting both humans and animals, and the damage to livestock has been extensive.”
Khan emphasized that the department’s priority is to rebuild veterinary infrastructure, supply animal feed, and vaccinate surviving livestock to prevent disease outbreaks.
Climate Change and the Growing Threat
The floods in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa serve as a stark reminder of how climate change is reshaping Pakistan’s weather patterns. Scientists note that extreme rainfall events have become more frequent and intense, particularly in northern provinces where glacial melt combines with monsoon precipitation to produce destructive floods.
According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department, average annual rainfall in K-P has increased by 25% over the last decade, while summer temperatures have risen significantly. This combination creates volatile weather systems that cause flash floods and landslides.
Climate experts warn that without climate-resilient agricultural planning and improved water management systems, K-P and other provinces will continue to suffer devastating economic losses each monsoon season.
Restoration Efforts and Hope for Recovery
Despite the widespread destruction, several humanitarian organizations are stepping forward to help rebuild K-P’s agricultural backbone. The Livestock Department has launched emergency vaccination and feeding programs, while Brook Pakistan and local NGOs are providing veterinary assistance and food supplies for affected families.
International organizations such as FAO and UNDP Pakistan have also pledged support for climate adaptation programs aimed at rebuilding sustainable agricultural systems in the province.
For instance, UNDP’s Climate Resilience Project in northern Pakistan focuses on enhancing community-level preparedness, early warning systems, and eco-friendly farming techniques that can reduce vulnerability to floods.
The Road Ahead for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
The floods in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa underscore a pressing reality: Pakistan’s rural economy is on the frontline of the climate crisis. To prevent future losses, policymakers must prioritize:
- Reconstruction of livestock hospitals and shelters in flood-prone areas.
- Climate-smart agriculture initiatives, including crop diversification and soil restoration.
- Microfinance support for small farmers to restock livestock and rebuild farms.
- Community-based early warning systems for better flood preparedness.
Sustainable recovery will depend on a whole-of-government approach, supported by civil society and international partners.
Conclusion
The floods in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have once again highlighted the fragile balance between people, animals, and nature. As the province struggles to recover from the Rs1.86 billion blow, it must also confront the long-term challenge of climate change adaptation.
Resilient infrastructure, improved veterinary services, and climate-smart policies are essential to protect both livelihoods and ecosystems. Without urgent action, the same story of loss could repeat itself in the years to come—but with stronger preparation, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa can rebuild a more sustainable and climate-resilient future.
External Resources:
