First heat, then floods wipe out farms in Pakistan's chili capital

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A worker rests on a mound of red chili pepper at the Mirch Mandi wholesale market, in Kunri, Umerkot, Pakistan, October 15, 2022. "Last year, at this time, there used to be around 8,000 to 10,000 bags of chillies in the market," said trader Raja Daim. "This year, now you can see that there are barely 2,000 bags here, and it is the first day of the week. By tomorrow, and the day after, it will become even less." REUTERS/Akhtar Soomro SEARCH "SOOMRO CHILI" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES.

Farmers take a break from preparing the soil after rains and floods during monsoon season in Kunri, Umerkot, Pakistan, October 15, 2022. Devastating floods across Pakistan in August and September after several years of high temperatures, have left chilli farmers struggling in a country heavily dependent on agriculture, where officials have estimated $40 billion of flood damages. "When I was a child, the heat was never so intense. We used to have a plentiful crop, now it has become so hot, and the rains are so scarce that our yields have dwindled," farmer Leman Raj, 40, said. REUTERS/Akhtar Soomro SEARCH "SOOMRO CHILI" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES.

People climb on a tractor trolly loaded with dry grass to plant red chili pepper saplings, in Kunri, Umerkot, Pakistan, February 24, 2022. Devastating floods across Pakistan in August and September after several years of high temperatures, have left chilli farmers struggling in a country heavily dependent on agriculture, where officials have estimated $40 billion of flood damages. "When I was a child, the heat was never so intense. We used to have a plentiful crop, now it has become so hot, and the rains are so scarce that our yields have dwindled," farmer Leman Raj, 40, said. REUTERS/Akhtar Soomro SEARCH "SOOMRO CHILI" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES.

Red chili pepper farmers wearing traditional clothes gather to celebrate the Holi Festival in Kunri, Umerkot, Pakistan, March 17, 2022. REUTERS/Akhtar Soomro SEARCH "SOOMRO CHILI" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES.

Locals travel on a cargo vehicle as they head home, in Kunri, Umerkot, Pakistan, February 24, 2022. REUTERS/Akhtar Soomro SEARCH "SOOMRO CHILI" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES.

A worker burns cotton plants damaged by rain water and floods to prepare the soil for the next crop, following monsoon season in Kunri, Umerkot, Pakistan, October 16, 2022. REUTERS/Akhtar Soomro SEARCH "SOOMRO CHILI" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES. TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

A truck is loaded with sacks of dried red chili peppers at the Mirch Mandi wholesale market in Kunri, Umerkot, Pakistan, February 23, 2022. "Last year, at this time, there used to be around 8,000 to 10,000 bags of chillies in the market," said trader Raja Daim. "This year, now you can see that there are barely 2,000 bags here and it is the first day of the week. By tomorrow and the day after, it will become even less.” REUTERS/Akhtar Soomro SEARCH "SOOMRO CHILI" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES.

Red chili pepper farmers smear colour on their face as they celebrate the Holi Festival, in Kunri, Umerkot, Pakistan, March 18, 2022. REUTERS/Akhtar Soomro SEARCH "SOOMRO CHILI" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES.

A farmer waters a crop of hybrid red chili pepper seeds in Kunri, Umerkot, Pakistan, March 18, 2022. Devastating floods across Pakistan in August and September after several years of high temperatures, have left chili farmers struggling in a country heavily dependent on agriculture, where officials have estimated $40 billion of flood damages. "When I was a child, the heat was never so intense. We used to have a plentiful crop, now it has become so hot, and the rains are so scarce that our yields have dwindled," farmer Leman Raj, 40, said. REUTERS/Akhtar Soomro SEARCH "SOOMRO CHILI" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES.

Red chili pepper farmer Lakshman, 33, throws powdered paint in the air while others dance to dhool beats as they celebrate the Holi Festival in Kunri, Umerkot, Pakistan, March 17, 2022. REUTERS/Akhtar Soomro SEARCH "SOOMRO CHILI" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES.

A man holds his daughter as they head home, in Kunri, Umerkot, Pakistan, February 25, 2022. REUTERS/Akhtar Soomro SEARCH "SOOMRO CHILI" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES.

Damaged grass roots are seen after being submerged in rain water during monsoon season in Kunri, Umerkot, Pakistan, October 15, 2022. REUTERS/Akhtar Soomro SEARCH "SOOMRO CHILI" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES.

A farmer spreads red chili peppers to dry, in Kunri, Umerkot, Pakistan, February 24, 2022. Devastating floods across Pakistan in August and September after several years of high temperatures, have left chili farmers struggling in a country heavily dependent on agriculture, where officials have estimated $40 billion of flood damages. "When I was a child, the heat was never so intense. We used to have a plentiful crop, now it has become so hot, and the rains are so scarce that our yields have dwindled," farmer Leman Raj, 40, said. REUTERS/Akhtar Soomro SEARCH "SOOMRO CHILI" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES.

Farmer Lakshman, 33, spreads red chili peppers to dry, in Kunri, Umerkot, Pakistan, February 24, 2022. Devastating floods across Pakistan in August and September after several years of high temperatures, have left chilli farmers struggling in a country heavily dependent on agriculture, where officials have estimated $40 billion of flood damages. "When I was a child, the heat was never so intense. We used to have a plentiful crop, now it has become so hot, and the rains are so scarce that our yields have dwindled," farmer Leman Raj, 40, said. REUTERS/Akhtar Soomro SEARCH "SOOMRO CHILI" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES. TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

A farmer holds hybrid red chili pepper seeds on his palm as he plants saplings, in Kunri, Umerkot, Pakistan, March 18, 2022. Devastating floods across Pakistan in August and September after several years of high temperatures, have left chilli farmers struggling in a country heavily dependent on agriculture, where officials have estimated $40 billion of flood damages. "When I was a child, the heat was never so intense. We used to have a plentiful crop, now it has become so hot, and the rains are so scarce that our yields have dwindled," farmer Leman Raj, 40, said. REUTERS/Akhtar Soomro SEARCH "SOOMRO CHILI" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES.

Two girls, who are part of a family of farmers, wash utensils at a water channel outside their home in Kunri, Umerkot, Pakistan, February 24, 2022. REUTERS/Akhtar Soomro SEARCH "SOOMRO CHILI" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES.

Labourers unload sacks of dried red chili peppers at the Mirch Mandi wholesale market, in Kunri, Umerkot, Pakistan, February 25, 2022. "Last year, at this time, there used to be around 8,000 to 10,000 bags of chillies in the market," said trader Raja Daim. "This year, you can see that there are barely 2,000 bags here, and it is the first day of the week. By tomorrow, and the day after, it will become even less." REUTERS/Akhtar Soomro SEARCH "SOOMRO CHILI" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES. TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

Traders work at the Mirch Mandi wholesale chili market, in Kunri, Umerkot, Pakistan, February 24, 2022. "Last year, at this time, there used to be around 8,000 to 10,000 bags of chillies in the market," said trader Raja Daim. "This year, now you can see that there are barely 2,000 bags here, and it is the first day of the week. By tomorrow, and the day after, it will become even less.? REUTERS/Akhtar Soomro SEARCH "SOOMRO CHILI" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES.

Dongro, 77, who is the head of a family of farmers, checks his phone while listening to the radio at his home in Kunri, Umerkot, Pakistan, February 24, 2022. REUTERS/Akhtar Soomro SEARCH "SOOMRO CHILI" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES.

Leman Raj, 40, and his son walk towards the chili pepper fields, in Kunri, Umerkot, Pakistan, March 18, 2022. "My crops suffered heavily from the heat, then the rains started, and the weather changed completely. Now, because of the heavy rains we have suffered heavy losses in our crops, and this is what has happened to the chillies," Leman Raj said, holding up desiccated, rotten plants. "All the chillies have rotted away." REUTERS/Akhtar Soomro SEARCH "SOOMRO CHILI" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES.

Leman Raj, 40, stands beside a draining pump used in the chili pepper fields, following rains and floods during monsoon season in Kunri, Umerkot, Pakistan, October 15, 2022. "My crops suffered heavily from the heat, then the rains started, and the weather changed completely. Now, because of the heavy rains we have suffered heavy losses in our crops, and this is what has happened to the chillies," Leman Raj said, holding up desiccated, rotten plants . "All the chillies have rotted away." REUTERS/Akhtar Soomro SEARCH "SOOMRO CHILI" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES.

Red chili peppers are seen after being submerged in rain waters during monsoon season in Kunri, Umerkot, Pakistan, October 15, 2022. Devastating floods across Pakistan in August and September after several years of high temperatures, have left chilli farmers struggling in a country heavily dependent on agriculture, where officials have estimated $40 billion of flood damages. "When I was a child, the heat was never so intense. We used to have a plentiful crop, now it has become so hot, and the rains are so scarce that our yields have dwindled," farmer Leman Raj, 40, said. REUTERS/Akhtar Soomro SEARCH "SOOMRO CHILI" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES.

Anil, 22, holds his daughter Priya, while the rest of the family prepares breakfast, outside their home in Kunri, Umerkot, Pakistan, February 24, 2022. REUTERS/Akhtar Soomro SEARCH "SOOMRO CHILI" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES.

Red chili pepper farmer Leman Raj, 40, is smeared with colour by his colleagues as they celebrate the Holi Festival in Kunri, Umerkot, Pakistan, March 18, 2022. REUTERS/Akhtar Soomro SEARCH "SOOMRO CHILI" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES.

A family harvests red chili peppers in Kunri, Pakistan, February 24, 2022. Devastating floods across Pakistan in August and September after several years of high temperatures, have left chilli farmers struggling in a country heavily dependent on agriculture, where officials have estimated $40 billion of flood damages. "When I was a child, the heat was never so intense. We used to have a plentiful crop, now it has become so hot, and the rains are so scarce that our yields have dwindled," farmer Leman Raj, 40, said. REUTERS/Akhtar Soomro SEARCH "SOOMRO CHILI" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES. TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

Qurban Ali, 50, waits for customers at a tea shop at the Mirch Mandi wholesale chili market in Kunri, Umerkot, Pakistan, March 17, 2022. "Last year, at this time, there used to be around 8,000 to 10,000 bags of chillies in the market," said trader Raja Daim. "This year, now you can see that there are barely 2,000 bags here, and it is the first day of the week. By tomorrow, and the day after, it will become even less." REUTERS/Akhtar Soomro SEARCH "SOOMRO CHILI" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES.

Farmers wearing traditional clothes walk along a dusty road in Kunri, Umerkot, Pakistan, March 18, 2022. REUTERS/Akhtar Soomro SEARCH "SOOMRO CHILI" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES.

A herd of buffalos wade through stagnant rain water after monsoon season in Kunri, Umerkot, Pakistan, October 15, 2022. REUTERS/Akhtar Soomro SEARCH "SOOMRO CHILI" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES.

A man stands in front of mounds of red chili pepper, at the Mirch Mandi wholesale market, in Kunri, Umerkot, Pakistan, October 15, 2022. "Last year, at this time, there used to be around 8,000 to 10,000 bags of chillies in the market," said trader Raja Daim. "This year, now you can see that there are barely 2,000 bags here, and it is the first day of the week. By tomorrow, and the day after, it will become even less." REUTERS/Akhtar Soomro SEARCH "SOOMRO CHILI" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES. TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

A mother and her child dressed in traditional clothes wait for a bus in Kunri, Umerkot, Pakistan, February 25, 2022. REUTERS/Akhtar Soomro SEARCH "SOOMRO CHILI" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES.

Workers carry sacks of dried red chilies, at the Mirch Mandi wholesale market, in Kunri, Umerkot, Pakistan, February 23, 2022. "Last year, at this time, there used to be around 8,000 to 10,000 bags of chillies in the market," said trader Raja Daim. "This year, you can see that there are barely 2,000 bags here, and it is the first day of the week. By tomorrow, and the day after, it will become even less." REUTERS/Akhtar Soomro SEARCH "SOOMRO CHILI" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES.