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Punjab faces its worst floods as Sutlej, Beas and Ravi rivers overflow, affecting 3.5 lakh people and claiming 30 lives.
Partially submerged houses at a flood-ravaged area, in Gurdaspur, Punjab. (Image: PTI)
Punjab Flash Floods: The state of Punjab is facing massive floods triggered by the swollen Sutlej, Beas and Ravi rivers and seasonal rivulets due to heavy downpour in their catchment areas.
At least 30 people have lost their lives, and over 3.5 lakh have been impacted by the flash floods, according to a bulletin issued by the state authorities on Tuesday.
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Earlier, 12 districts were under the impact of the floods, but today, all 23 districts of the state have been declared as hit by the floods.
A total of 1,400 villages have been declared as affected, impacting 3,54,626 people so far, with the deluge claiming 30 lives in 12 districts.
Nearly 20,000 people have so far been evacuated from the flood-hit areas.
Governor Kataria, CM Mann Visit Affected Areas
Meanwhile, Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria and Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann separately visited some of the affected areas on Tuesday.
Visiting flood-affected villages in Ferozepur district, a visibly emotional Mann said Punjab has always stood with the country in times of crisis and hoped that the country would reciprocate now.
Expressing grave concern over the “meagre compensation” given to people for losses suffered due to natural disasters, he sought an upward revision in the Centre’s relief norms.
The Chief Minister toured the flood-affected areas of Ferozepur on a boat. He said though substantial funds are available with the State Disaster Response Fund, the existing norms prescribed under the guidelines issue by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) “remain grossly inadequate to compensate farmers, livestock owners and vulnerable communities”.
Kataria visited Ferozepur and the severely affected areas of Tarn Taran.
The governor held a meeting with administration officials in the border district of Ferozepur.
Kataria, who began his visit to the flood-hit districts from Ferozepur, discussed the relief-and-rehabilitation measures underway for the affected families and directed the officials to ensure timely assistance and effective coordination.
Aid From Haryana, SGPC
Meanwhile, the Haryana government on Tuesday released financial assistance of Rs 5 crore to Punjab while expressing solidarity with the people of the state bearing the brunt of the calamity caused by heavy rains.
The aid released from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund is aimed at providing immediate succour to the affected families and to strengthen the ongoing rescue and rehabilitation efforts.
Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini wrote to the Punjab CM, assuring that the Haryana government and people of the state stand with him in this difficult hour.
He further urged to freely communicate any requirement for additional relief materials or assistance, assuring them that the Haryana government would extend all necessary help immediately.
Additionally, all IPS officers of Punjab have resolved to contribute one day’s salary to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund, DGP Gaurav Yadav said, adding, “This contribution is a humble gesture to support the ongoing relief-and-rehabilitation efforts.”
Employees of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) will be donating a day’s salary to support flood relief efforts in Punjab.
SGPC Secretary Partap Singh said the Sikh body has been actively engaged in relief operations since the first day, with employees personally reaching affected areas and helping the victims.
He said in the past, too, SGPC employees have always stepped forward during natural calamities — providing direct services in the affected regions as well as contributing from their own salaries to support those in need.
PM Modi Speaks To Mann
Earlier on Monday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Mann to discuss the worsening situation arising due to flash floods in parts of the state. PM Modi, who was on a two-nation tour to Japan and China, dialled Mann soon after landing in the national capital and assured all help and support as Punjab is battling the “worst floods in recent history.”
Earlier, the Chief Minister wrote a letter to the Prime Minister and sought the release of Rs 60,000 crore of “state funds stuck with the government of India”. The AAP government also urged the Centre to allow it to change the norms for disaster relief compensation for crop loss, increasing it from the now allowed Rs 6,800 per acre (where the crop loss is over 33 per cent) to Rs 50,000 per acre.
Rain Fury In Punjab
Heavy rain, coupled with the release of water from dams in the region, has caused extensive flooding in more than 10 districts of the state.
The worst-hit districts by floods in Punjab include Pathankot, Gurdaspur, Fazilka, Kapurthala, Tarn Taran, Ferozepur, Hoshiarpur and Amritsar, where relief and rescue efforts by the NDRF, Army, BSF, Punjab Police and district authorities continued on a war footing.
Relief-and-rescue operations by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Army, BSF, police and district authorities are going on in the affected areas.
Meanwhile, a fresh spell of rain lashed several parts of the state.
According to the weather department, several places in Punjab received rain in the 24-hour period ending at 8:30 am on Tuesday.
Among other places, Amritsar received 18.3 mm rain, Patiala 70.5 mm, Bathinda 5 mm, Faridkot 1 mm, Gurdaspur 32.8 mm, Mansa 10 mm and Mohali 44.5 mm.
Between 8:30 am and 5:30 pm, a few parts of the state witnessed rain, including Ferozepur, Mansa, Pathankot and Sri Anandpur Sahib.
In view of the inclement weather conditions and prevailing flood-like situations, all 43 skill development centres running in association with the Punjab Skill Development Mission will remain closed till Wednesday to ensure the safety and well-being of the stakeholders, minister Aman Arora said.
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in the state on Monday announced a closure of all colleges, universities and polytechnic institutes till September 3 in view of the continuous heavy rainfall.
(With inputs from agencies)
About the Author
Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben…Read More
Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben… Read More
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