What is the story about?
Punjab is grappling with one of its worst flood disasters in decades, with swollen rivers — the Sutlej, Beas, and Ravi — and heavy rains in catchment areas
across Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir wreaking havoc across the state. The deluge has claimed 48 lives, displaced scores of people, and damaged crops across 1.76 lakh hectares, according to PTI reports citing officials.
Rescue Ops On War Footing
Relief and rescue operations are underway on a war footing, led by the Indian Army, alongside the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Border Security Force (BSF), Punjab Police, and district authorities. Scores of locals, aid organisations, and celebrities have also joined the efforts. The Army has deployed dozens of columns to assist flood-affected areas.
PM Modi To Visit Tomorrow
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Punjab on Tuesday, September 9, to review the situation. Ahead of the visit, Punjab Cabinet Minister Aman Arora on Monday (September 8) urged the PM to announce a relief package of at least ₹20,000 crore for the flood-hit state.
"Even though the PM has not uttered a word yet for the flood-hit Punjab, he is our PM and I welcome him with folded hands for his visit. I also expect that he should be seen standing by Punjab during his visit," Arora told reporters in Chandigarh.
Describing the current situation as worse than the 1988 deluge, Arora said, "The Centre should announce a relief package of at least Rs 20,000 crore for Punjab." He also highlighted the extensive damage to agriculture and infrastructure: "Over 4.50 lakh acres of crops have been damaged in the floods, besides loss of livestock and damage to houses."
Pointing to the challenge of future sowing, Arora, who also serves as the president of the AAP's Punjab unit, said, "There is going to be a challenge for farmers for growing the next crop as the silt is deposited in the flood-hit fields." He added, "We welcome your (PM) arrival but you should also announce release of State's ₹60,000 crore and a relief package of ₹20,000 crore in the hour of crisis."
CM Bhagwant Mann Monitors Situation From Hospital
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, who was hospitalised on Friday due to exhaustion and low heart rate, has also been monitoring the relief operations.
Meanwhile, schools, colleges, and universities across Punjab will reopen from September 8, education minister Harjot Bains said on Sunday. He noted that if any institution is affected by floods, closure decisions would be taken by the respective deputy commissioner. Private schools can reopen from September 8, while government schools will resume classes from September 9.
Officials reported that water levels in key dams have slightly receded. The Pong dam on the Beas river dropped about two feet to 1,392.20 feet, though it remained above its upper limit of 1,390 feet, with inflows falling to 36,968 cusecs from 47,162 cusecs on Saturday. Around 90,000 cusecs were being released into the Shah Nehar barrage. Meanwhile, the Bhakra dam on the Sutlej river registered a water level of 1,677.98 feet on Sunday against 1,678.14 feet on Saturday, with an outflow of 70,000 cusecs.
(With inputs from PTI)
Do you find this article useful?
