LAHORE: Farmers in the nation’s breadbasket claimed Thursday that a 40% decrease in rainfall is causing a winter drought that is devastating crops in the area.
With a population of over 240 million, Pakistan is one of the nations most at risk from the consequences of climate change, which scientists claim is increasing the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events.
Between the beginning of September and the middle of January, the eastern Punjab province’s farming heartland received 42% less rainfall than usual, according to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD).
“Whether farmers have a large or small holding, the lack of rains has had a major financial impact,” Malik Asghar, chairman of the Fruit and Vegetable Exporters Association Punjab, told reporters.
