ISLAMABAD: Monsoon rains and flooding have damaged 117,400 acres or 43 per cent of crops and vegetables and around 35,000 acres or 30 per cent of orchards with varying proportions in districts that were surveyed, the Rapid Needs Assessment Report on Balochistan says.
The report was prepared by the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) of Balochistan, in collaboration with UN agencies, and released by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA).
The highest crop and vegetable damage was reported in Lasbela, Pishin and Jhal Magsi, whereas orchards are mostly affected in Killa Saifullah, Kharan and Pishin, according to the report.
The assessment was conducted in 10 districts prioritised at the request of the provincial government. The report says that the recent flooding has negatively impacted the crops and orchards, particularly onions, tomatoes, cotton, maize, pulses, fodder grapes, apple, pomegranate, apricot and dates.
Overall, an average of 15pc of farming households lost cereals stored for household consumption, mainly in Jhal Magsi, Kalat and Lasbela, the report says.
In terms of damage to farm-to-market roads due to heavy rainfall and flooding, 51pc of the surveyed villages reported severe damage, 34pc moderate damage, 8pc slight damage and 7pc no damage.
Across the districts, severe damage to farm-to-market roads were reportedly highest in Jhal Magsi, Kachhi and Killa Saifullah.
Damage to farm-to-market roads as well as blockages and damage to highways is disrupting the food supply chain and causing shortage of food in local markets.
