LAHORE: The recent floods in Punjab have left deep scars on its agricultural community, with small livestock farmers, landless labourers, and contractors bearing the heaviest toll. Though the damage affected all segments of rural society, some have suffered disproportionately, with many facing near-impossible circumstances.

According to the latest figures from the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), the floods affected 27 of Punjab’s 37 districts, as rivers Chenab, Ravi, and Sutlej breached their banks. Around 4.76 million people and 4,700 villages were impacted, with 2.63m people and 2.11m livestock evacuated to safety. The death toll has reached 134, though the final figures may be higher, as the full-scale survey only began on September 24.

The scale of the disaster is staggering, with nearly 70 per cent of the province submerged. An official from the Agriculture Department, who spoke on condition of anonymity, described the floods as........

© Dawn Business