Currently, Punjab is grappling with severe flooding. This natural disaster has claimed 43 lives, while crops over 171,000 hectares have been ruined. A total of 1902 villages across 23 districts are completely submerged, impacting 384,205 people. So far, 20,972 people have been evacuated to safer areas.
Punjab's Revenue, Rehabilitation, and Disaster Management Minister, Hardeep Singh Mundian, stated that due to unprecedented floods, 1902 villages across 23 districts have been affected, impacting over 384,000 people. Rescue efforts have evacuated 20,972 individuals. In the past 24 hours, six more lives were lost, increasing the death toll across 14 districts to 43.
43 Fatalities Across 14 Districts
Reported fatalities include: Hoshiarpur (7), Pathankot (6), Barnala and Amritsar (5 each), Ludhiana and Bathinda (4 each), Mansa (3), Gurdaspur and SAS Nagar (2 each), Patiala, Rupnagar, Sangrur, Fazilka, and Ferozepur (1 each). Three individuals are missing in Pathankot. The flood statistics cover the period from August 1 to September 4.
Source: aajtak
It has been reported that over 171,000 hectares of agricultural land has sustained significant damage, with districts like Gurdaspur, Amritsar, Fazilka, Ferozepur, Kapurthala, and Mansa being the hardest hit.
Source: aajtak
Meanwhile, AAP leader Kejriwal has urged the central government to aid Punjab. Kejriwal stated, 'I appeal to the central government to help Punjab as much as possible in this dire situation.'
He mentioned the aid provided by the central government to Afghanistan after an earthquake there, stating, 'It’s great to help globally, but Punjab also deserves assistance from the central government in this massive crisis.'
Shivraj Singh Visits Flood-Affected Areas
On Thursday, Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan toured flood-hit areas in Amritsar, Gurdaspur, and Kapurthala, assuring the people that the central government stands by them in this crisis.
Chauhan stated that two central teams are visiting Punjab to assess the situation and will report to the central government. He noted, 'The damage is evident. Crops are severely damaged, and fields are submerged.'
Source: aajtak
Governor Submits Report to Agriculture Minister
Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria presented a detailed report on the flood damage to Shivraj Chauhan at Amritsar Airport, including details on loss of life, crops, and infrastructure.
In addition, Arvind Kejriwal also visited Sultanpur Lodhi in Kapurthala to survey flood-affected areas, appealing for central assistance. Earlier, Kejriwal met with Mann at his official residence in Chandigarh to check on his health. Mann could not join the flood area tours due to fever.
Gazetted Officers Deployed in Affected Villages
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann stated that a gazetted officer is stationed in each flood-affected village to ensure that people's issues reach the administration for timely solutions. The state government has ordered a special Girdawari to assess the flood damage.
Source: aajtak
Bhakra Dam Water Level Stable
Meanwhile, Rupnagar Deputy Commissioner Varjeet Singh Walia urged people living in low-lying areas near the Sutlej River in Nangal and Anandpur Sahib villages to relocate to safer locations or stay in relief camps set up by the district administration.
He mentioned that the water level at Bhakra Dam is stable. Approximately 85,000 cusecs of water were released from the dam on Thursday.
Earlier in the day, the DC noted the water level in the dam had reached 1,679 feet, with a discharge of approximately 75,000 cusecs, which could be increased to 80,000 to 85,000 cusecs.
Source: aajtak
The Patiala district administration has also issued an alert for residents of villages near the Ghaggar River in Patran in view of heavy downpours in the catchment areas of the river.
Source: aajtak
It's important to note that Punjab is dealing with one of its worst flood disasters in decades. This flooding results from heavy rains in the catchment areas of Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir, swelling the Sutlej, Beas, and Ravi rivers and seasonal drains. Additionally, recent heavy rains in Punjab have compounded people's challenges.
