Flood-Hit Farmers in Okara have urged Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz to declare the district a calamity-hit area. The appeal comes after heavy rainfall destroyed crops across large parts of the region.
According to local farmers, 396mm of rain fell over the past five days. This intense rainfall has severely damaged maize, paddy, fodder, and sesame crops. Water is still standing in many fields, making further cultivation nearly impossible.
The sesame crop, which is mostly grown for export to China, has been affected the most. Farmers say the sesame fields are completely flooded. Tobacco crops have also suffered similar damage.
Dipalpur tehsil farmer Syed Kasur Rizvi said this is the time to plant paddy variety 1509. However, he added that fields are still flooded due to the recent rains, and maize harvesting has become difficult.
Rai Muhammad Saleem, another farmer, pointed out that the area’s drainage system has not been maintained. He said that if the drains had been desilted earlier, the flood damage could have been reduced. Now, the poor drainage has made the situation worse for growers.
Farmers are worried about their financial losses and fear that they won’t be able to recover without government help. Many say they depend on these seasonal crops to earn a living and repay loans. They believe that only immediate government support can save them from complete ruin.
The farmers have requested relief measures, including financial aid and rehabilitation support. They have also asked the provincial government to improve the drainage system to prevent such disasters in the future.
Agriculture experts warn that continued rain may worsen the situation. The local economy, largely based on farming, is at serious risk if quick action is not taken.
Farmers hope the government will act soon to protect their livelihoods and restore Okara’s agricultural productivity.
Also Read: Gilgit-Baltistan Floods: 3 Confirmed Dead, 30 Missing. Severe flooding continues to impact regions across Pakistan, with rising casualties and widespread crop and infrastructure damage.
