Severe Drought In W. Pakistan

Press, Volume CV, Issue 30976, 4 February 1966, Page 13

Severe Drought In W. Pakistan

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright)

KARACHI, February 3.

At least 30 per cent of Pakistan’s wheat crop has been ruined by the most severe drought of the century, the “New York Times” reports.

This was disclosed by the Governor of West Pakistan, who said that the nation may have to import more than two million tons of wheat this year if it is to avert a serious food shortage. Wheat is the staple food of the 55 million West Pakistanis, many of whom exist on a daily diet of a few unleavened wheatcakes called chapattis, eked out with curds and vegetables in season. The drought that is parching West Pakistan’s wheatlands, dashing last year’s hopes of a possible surplus of food grain in 1966, is a result of the same monsoon failure that has brought India to the verge of mass starvation and drastically curtailed Ceylon’s rice crop. The Governor, who toured the drought-affected farmland last week, said in Lahore that wheat in areas completely dependent on rainfall for water had been so badly damaged by the long dry spell that even if rain came this month it would be too late to save the crop.

Rivers Low

Crops have also been curtailed in areas where irrigation is normally used, because of the low level of West Pakistan’s rivers, particularly the Indus, he added. The Governor said the current drought was the worst in his life-time, and that its real impact would not be felt until after the middle of the year. By then the Government would have built up stocks by substantial imports.