Punjab declares all 23 districts flood-hit: Crops damaged, 3.5 lakh people affected
Governor Gulab Chand Kataria and Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, meanwhile, separately visited some of the affected areas. Mann toured the flood-affected areas of Ferozepur on a boat; Kataria visited Ferozepur and the severely affected areas of Tarn Taran.
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Residents wait for aid at a village cut off by flooding in Kapurthala on Tuesday. APThe Punjab government Tuesday declared all 23 districts flood-hit and said the deluge has claimed 30 lives and impacted over 3.5 lakh people so far. Dam reservoirs continued to remain full to the brim while the rivers were flowing near danger mark, leading to alerts in several districts.
Governor Gulab Chand Kataria and Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, meanwhile, separately visited some of the affected areas. Mann toured the flood-affected areas of Ferozepur on a boat; Kataria visited Ferozepur and the severely affected areas of Tarn Taran.
Overflowing Budha nullah water enters houses at Ludhiana. (Express Photo by Gurmeet Singh)
Expressing grave concern over the “meagre compensation” given to people for losses suffered due to natural disasters, Mann sought an upward revision in the Centre’s relief norms. He again sought the release of Punjab’s `60,000 crore “pending” funds from the Centre, saying he is demanding the state’s “rights” and not “begging” for it in the wake of floods in the region.
Kataria supported the local farmers’ demand for permanent ownership rights of land to enable them to get crop loss compensation and benefits of government schemes. “The matter will be brought to the attention of the CM and efforts will be made to resolve it permanently,” he said.
Cabinet Minister Hardeep Singh Mundian said the flood fury has spread to all 23 districts, up from earlier 12, and added that 1,400 villages have been declared as affected, impacting 3,54,626 people so far. Nearly 20,000 people have so far been evacuated from the flood-hit areas.
Flooded roads in Jalandhar on Monday (PTI)
The minister pointed out that 1,48,590 hectares of standing crops have been damaged. The worst-hit areas include Gurdaspur, Mansa, Amritsar, Kapurthala, Ferozepur, Tarn Taran and Hoshiarpur.
Mundian said that 23 NDRF teams are working in affected districts while Army, Air Force and Navy have deployed 12 columns, along with two engineer columns and around 35 helicopters for rescue and relief. The BSF has also been providing ground support in border districts. In addition, 114 boats and one state helicopter are being used for evacuations and supply of relief materials.
Health Minister Balbir Singh said 818 medical teams have been deployed in flood-hit areas of Punjab. “Our goal is to ensure that no person is left without medical care,” he said.
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