{
  "id": 19327937,
  "title": "Extreme heat",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/10/extreme-heat",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-10T11:29:41.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Dawn",
    "slug": "dawn",
    "url": "https://www.dawn.com/news/2043437/extreme-heat"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Pakistan's agricultural sector is grappling with the devastating impacts of climate change. Falling crop yields, declining livestock productivity, and increasing food insecurity are straining rural communities. The United Nations assessment \"Extreme Heat and Agriculture\" sheds light on the rapid degradation of farm productivity, especially in rain-fed regions, and its severe consequences for rural households. Punjab, in particular, is facing frequent and intense heatwaves that are disrupting livelihoods. Fruit production in the province's high-rainfall areas has plummeted by half, while livestock suffer from heat stress, leading to reduced milk output and heightened disease rates among small ruminants. The repercussions extend beyond farms, as reduced output translates to lower incomes for farming households. Families are not only earning less but also consuming fewer nutritious meals. The situation is further exacerbated by gender inequality, with rural women bearing the brunt of prolonged exposure to extreme temperatures, especially pregnant and lactating women who face a heightened risk of premature births during severe heatwaves. Nevertheless, climate adaptation remains absent from agricultural policies. Efforts to mitigate the effects of rising temperatures on a sector that supports two-thirds of the population fall short. Farmers need access to heat-resistant crop varieties, advanced water management technologies, and modern farming equipment. Investments in cold storage facilities, efficient supply chains, and healthcare services for both people and livestock are equally crucial. Agricultural research must also receive increased private funding and human resources. Failure to adjust policies in response to the climate crisis will render farming unsustainable for smallholders. The issue transcends national borders, as both Pakistan and India face similar climate challenges in Punjab. Collaboration between the two nations is essential to bolster farm resilience. The mounting heat is eroding rural incomes and the availability of affordable food for families. Agricultural policies that disregard this pressing issue will inevitably fail the very people they aim to support.",
  "summary": "CLIMATE change is already taking its toll on Pakistan’s farm sector. Crop yields are falling, livestock productivity is declining, fertile land is becoming uncultivable, and food insecurity is rising. Alongside, rural incomes are shrinking, and both cash and food poverty are increasing. It is against this backdrop that a new UN assessment — Extreme Heat and Agriculture — by the Food and…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}