Livestock department acts swiftly to protect animals after devastating Ravi River floods cause damage, losses to poultry farms worth Rs20.6m.
NAROWAL, PAKISTAN: The Livestock Department has carried out a mass vaccination drive covering 617,075 animals in Narowal district to protect them from deadly infectious diseases following severe flooding in the Ravi River and adjoining water drains.
Deputy Commissioner Syed Hassan Raza said the floods submerged large parts of Shakargarh, Zafarwal, and Narowal tehsils, impacting 424,588 animals. Remarkably, only 18 animal deaths were reported across the district despite the scale of the disaster.
The department initiated preventive vaccinations immediately after the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) issued flood warnings. With a 100% vaccination target achieved, officials are now administering booster doses. So far, 33,825 animals in the worst-hit areas have received additional protection.
Authorities fear outbreaks of diseases such as epidemic fever, skin infections, leprosy, blood parasites, liver diseases, and plant poisoning among livestock. “The department is monitoring animal health daily and has sufficient medicines in stock,” the deputy commissioner confirmed. Meanwhile, fodder support is being provided to 25,510 farmers in affected zones.
Heavy losses to poultry farms
While livestock protection efforts have succeeded, the poultry sector has suffered significant financial damage. In village Reb Plot alone, poultry farms incurred a combined loss of Rs20.6 million after floodwaters drowned thousands of birds and destroyed feed stocks.
- Mian Tahir Mahmood’s farm lost 10,000 out of 12,500 chickens, alongside feed and medicines worth Rs13.5m.
- Ayub Poultry Farm lost 6,000 chickens and feed worth Rs3.2m.
- Khizr Broiler Farm lost 3,000 chickens and feed worth Rs1.8m.
- Ali Hamza Broiler Farm lost 3,500 chickens and feed worth Rs2.1m.
Across these farms, more than 22,500 chickens perished, further straining the district’s poultry supply chain.
Government response
Deputy Commissioner Raza said teams from revenue and related departments are conducting damage assessments in the flood-hit areas. He assured that financial assistance will be provided to the victims under government policy to help farmers and poultry businesses recover.
The swift vaccination drive is being seen as a crucial step in safeguarding livelihoods and preventing further economic losses in Narowal’s flood-affected communities.
