How could the El Niño phenomenon affect Pakistan's agricultural sector?
Pakistan faces elevated drought risk due to El Niño's impact on Asia The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has identified a broad belt of elevated drought risk across Asia, a region that includes Pakistan. This risk is linked to the El Niño phenomenon, which can weaken summer monsoon systems and alter rainfall patterns. While the reports do not specify the exact impact on Pakistani crops, the inclusion of Pakistan in this high-risk belt suggests potential stress on its agricultural sector during the critical growing periods.
- Effect
- Mild negative
- How direct
- Stated in the reporting
- When
- Within weeks
- The story
- Gone quiet
How it reaches Pakistan
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The southwest monsoon in India started weakly this year, with the cumulative rainfall across the country being 41.6% below normal as of June 24. This dry start is linked to the El Niño phenomenon, which has caused drought and deficient rainfall in various parts of India.
The full event5independent outlets -
The FAO analysis, based on 41 years of satellite data, identifies a broad belt of elevated drought risk across Asia. This belt specifically includes Pakistan and India, alongside countries like Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam. South and Southeast Asia is listed as one of four high-risk regions globally.
1 report connects these two. Brind only summarizes; follow a link to read the reporting itself.
- downtoearth.org.in Jun 24
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The facts so far
As reported. Each one links to where it comes from.
- The FAO analysis identifies a broad belt of elevated drought risk across Asia, from Pakistan and India through Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam.downtoearth.org.in
- South and Southeast Asia is one of four high-risk regions identified globally.downtoearth.org.in
- In 2015-16 alone, El Niño affected more than 60 million people and prompted $5 billion in humanitarian appeals across 23 countries.downtoearth.org.in
Why it matters
The agricultural sector is the foundation of Pakistan's economy, and elevated drought risk poses a direct threat to food security and rural livelihoods. If the drought risk materializes, it could lead to crop failures, similar to the impacts seen in other high-risk regions during previous El Niño events.
This risk is part of a wider regional vulnerability. The FAO analysis places South and Southeast Asia among four globally high-risk regions, highlighting that the current climate crisis is not isolated. This situation is compounded by the fact that the planet is warmer, making the impacts of climate extremes more severe in already vulnerable areas.
What we don't know yet
- What specific crops or regions in Pakistan are most vulnerable to this drought risk?
- How will Pakistan's government respond to the elevated drought risk identified by the FAO?
Is this still moving?
- Reports
- 5
- Developments
- 4
- Repetition
- 80%
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Reporting
- downtoearth.org.inJun 24
- thehindu.comJul 3
- dailyexcelsior.comJul 1
- livemint.comJun 28
- sundaytimes.lkJan 1
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