Floods in Pakistan: The Silent Tragedy for Farmers, Livestock, and Rural Life

When we think about floods in Pakistan, most of us picture submerged villages, broken houses, and displaced families. But behind these images lies another heartbreaking reality the silent suffering of animals and the farmers who depend on them. In recent years, and especially in 2025, floods have not only washed away land and crops but also killed thousands of livestock, threatening the backbone of Pakistan’s rural economy.

The Current Crisis (2025)

Punjab’s Story of Loss

Punjab, the agricultural heartland of Pakistan, faced one of the worst hits this September. Continuous rainfall and overflowing rivers submerged over two thousand villages. Families scrambled to higher ground, and farmers rushed to save their cattle. According to officials, more than 516,000 animals had to be relocated to safer places.

Despite these efforts, thousands of animals could not be saved. Cows and buffaloes, too heavy to move quickly, drowned in the rising waters. Goats and sheep were lost in the chaos. The images from south Punjab were haunting children clinging to rooftops while their buffalo floated lifeless in the water.

Crops also suffered a crushing blow. Fields of cotton, rice, and vegetables were washed away. For Punjab, which feeds a large portion of the nation, this means more than just local hunger. It means reduced exports, rising food prices, and long term economic stress.

One farmer near Multan told a reporter: “I had ten goats and two buffaloes. They were my savings, my children’s school fee, our milk, our food. The water took everything. Now I stand with nothing but empty hands.”

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Struggles

In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the damage was equally severe. The United Nations reported that floods damaged over 3,200 acres of farmland and killed more than 6,200 animals, most of them in Buner district. Families who had already been living on the edge lost their main assets overnight.

More Than Just Livestock

The floods in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa together have caused a chain reaction. Milk supply has decreased, meat has become expensive, and farmers are slipping into debt. In villages, children now go without milk. In cities, prices rise every week.

For a farmer, losing an animal is not just an economic hit it is losing a companion and a daily source of survival.

The Shadow of Past Floods

Sadly, this is not the first time Pakistan has faced such destruction. In 2022, the world witnessed one of the worst floods in Pakistan’s history. More than 1.2 million animals were killed, alongside massive human displacement. At least 33 million people were affected, and food insecurity skyrocketed.

Go further back to 2010, and the story is similar: around 200,000 animals perished, and the country faced agricultural damages worth billions of dollars.

The Human Side of Animal Loss

When a cow or goat dies in a flood, it’s not just an animal drowning. It’s a child losing their daily glass of milk. It’s a family losing their only source of income. It’s a farmer being pushed closer to poverty.

The grief is heavy. Farmers often cry over their animals the way others grieve lost relatives. After all, these animals are part of the family. Losing them in floods brings emotional pain along with financial disaster.

A National Economic Threat

Pakistan’s livestock sector contributes nearly 12% to the GDP and provides livelihoods for millions of rural households. When floods wipe out livestock, the national economy feels the shock.

Fewer animals mean less milk and meat in markets.

Reduced crop production means higher food imports.

Inflation rises, and the poorest families suffer the most.

This chain reaction doesn’t stop at village boundaries, it reaches city markets, grocery shops, and household kitchens.

Why Are Floods Becoming Worse?

Experts link these recurring disasters to climate change, poor planning, and weak infrastructure. Pakistan contributes less than 1% to global greenhouse gas emissions, yet it is among the top 10 countries most vulnerable to climate change.

Blocked drainage systems, deforestation, and unregulated construction on riverbanks make matters worse. Farmers living near rivers often have no choice but to settle in high-risk zones, making them more vulnerable when floods strike.

What Needs to Be Done

1. Early Warning Systems: Villagers often don’t get timely warnings. Better forecasting and communication can save both humans and animals.

2. Animal Shelters and Safe Zones: Just as we build relief camps for people, we need secure shelters for livestock. Moving half a million animals during a flood, as happened in Punjab this year, is nearly impossible without proper planning.

3. Insurance for Farmers: Small farmers should have access to livestock insurance so they don’t lose everything in one disaster.

4. Climate-Resilient Agriculture: Stronger embankments, flood-resistant crops, and better drainage systems are critical for long term survival.

5. Mental Health Support: Flood victims, including farmers, need counseling and community support to deal with trauma.

A Story of Resilience

Despite the hardships, one thing stands out in every flood: the resilience of Pakistani farmers. Videos have shown villagers carrying goats on their shoulders, guiding cows through chest-deep water, or building makeshift rafts to save their donkeys. These small acts of courage remind us that while nature can be cruel, human determination is stronger.

But resilience alone is not enough. Farmers cannot keep fighting floods on their own. They need help from the government, NGOs, and the international community.

Conclusion

The floods of 2025 have once again highlighted Pakistan’s fragile relationship with nature. In Punjab, where fertile fields once promised prosperity, devastation has left families struggling for survival. The loss of livestock is not just about dead animals; it is about shattered livelihoods, broken families, and an economy under stress.

If Pakistan is to survive the age of climate change, urgent steps are needed to protect both people and the animals they depend on. Every cow, every goat, and every buffalo saved is not just an animal saved ,it is a family’s future, a child’s nutrition, and a nation’s stability preserved.

Pakistan Floods 2025: Punjab’s Livestock Losses, Agricultural Damage, and Rural Struggles

Animal Care