Maharashtra floods expose farming's fragile heart: animals face devastating loss
The relentless monsoon, once a lifeline for rural India, has morphed into a weapon of destruction, leaving thousands of animals and their caretakers teetering on the brink of disaster in Maharashtra’s Raigad district.
A grim reality: farmers climbing trees for survival
Just weeks ago, the devastation was almost unimaginable. We arrived to witness a heartbreaking scene: a farmer, desperately scaling a tree, gathering meager leaves to feed his livestock. His neighbor, facing utter ruin, had nothing left. The floodwaters, though receding, revealed a landscape stripped bare – grazing lands transformed into mud and silt, devoid of the vital grass needed to sustain life.
Beyond the immediate damage: a cycle of vulnerability
What initially appeared as a localized flood event quickly revealed itself as a complex crisis rooted in a prolonged drought followed by torrential rains. The delayed monsoon – exacerbated by the effects of El Niño – decimated stored fodder and water reserves, leaving families struggling daily to simply keep their animals alive. The loss extended far beyond mere livestock; it represented a shattering of livelihoods, a depletion of household savings, and a profound psychological toll.
A warning from the land
For generations, farmers in this region have meticulously planned around the monsoon’s arrival, storing crops and anticipating the resurgence of grass. But this year, that calendar has proven utterly unreliable. The sudden surge in rainfall, rather than offering relief, deepened the existing vulnerability, burying what little remained.
Counting the cost: more than just animals
The immediate impact is staggering – over 5,500 animals severely affected, with at least 20 confirmed deaths due to starvation. But the true cost is immeasurable. Families are forced to give away their animals, facing the agonizing choice between feeding their own children and providing sustenance for their livestock. This isn't just about feed and water; it’s about dignity, security, and the future of entire communities.
A global parallel: the growing threat
This localized tragedy mirrors a global pattern – prolonged droughts weakening crops and pastures, followed by sudden, catastrophic floods destroying the remnants. Across continents, from East Africa to Australia, farmers and pastoralists are grappling with the same fundamental challenge: how to withstand weather patterns that no longer align with traditional forecasting. In 2025 alone, 358 major disasters impacted over 110 million people worldwide, yet the plight of animals often goes uncounted.
Moving beyond emergency relief
We must shift our focus from simply reacting to disasters to building long-term resilience. Humane World for Animals India is working with communities and government agencies to translate policies into tangible action. Our experience in Viet Nam, Mexico, and Australia demonstrates that integrating animals into disaster planning – from early warning systems to evacuation strategies – is not merely an option, but a necessity.
A call to action: animals count
The guidelines released by the National Disaster Management Authority offer a crucial framework, but implementation is key. As I write, our team is deploying to Assam, where 650,000 people and 600,000 animals are battling the effects of devastating flooding. Let’s ensure that animal-inclusive disaster risk reduction isn’t just a policy statement, but a fundamental shift in how we approach humanitarian and climate action. Animals count – their survival is inextricably linked to our own.