Congress Leader Gandhi Assesses Punjab Flood Damage in Amritsar

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi made a heartfelt visit to the flood-devastated areas of Amritsar on Monday, meeting with affected residents and assessing the widespread damage caused by one of Punjab’s worst natural disasters in decades. Accompanied by Punjab Congress chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa, Amritsar MP Gurjeet Singh Aujla, and other party leaders, Gandhi’s visit underscored his commitment to supporting communities grappling with the aftermath of catastrophic flooding.

Gandhi’s first stop was Ghonewal village in Amritsar’s Ajnala region, one of the hardest-hit areas where floodwaters from swollen rivers wreaked havoc. Sitting among the affected families, he listened intently to their stories of loss, inquiring about the extent of damage to homes, crops, and livelihoods. The floods, triggered by heavy rainfall in Punjab and overflowing rivers like the Sutlej, Beas, and Ravi, compounded by excessive rains in neighboring Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir, have left a trail of destruction. Official reports confirm a death toll of 56, with crops across 1.98 lakh hectares destroyed, severely impacting the state’s agricultural backbone.

Following his visit to Ghonewal, Gandhi is set to pay respects at the historic Gurdwara Baba Budha Sahib in the Ramdas area of Amritsar, a gesture symbolizing solidarity with the local community. His itinerary also includes a visit to flood-affected areas in Gurdaspur district, where similar scenes of devastation have unfolded. The Congress leader’s hands-on approach aims to highlight the urgent need for relief and rehabilitation efforts in the state.

Also Read: Rahul Gandhi Set to Visit Flood-Hit Punjab Amid Ongoing Crisis, Meet Affected Families

Punjab’s flooding crisis has drawn national attention, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi conducting an aerial survey of the affected regions on September 9. Modi announced a financial aid package of Rs 1,600 crore, in addition to the Rs 12,000 crore already allocated to Punjab, to support recovery efforts. Union ministers, including Shivraj Singh Chouhan, L Murugan, and B L Verma, have also visited the flood-hit zones to evaluate the situation and coordinate relief measures.

The scale of the disaster has left thousands displaced, with homes submerged and farmlands rendered unusable. Local residents expressed gratitude for Gandhi’s visit, with many urging swift government action to rebuild infrastructure and compensate farmers. “We’ve lost everything—our crops, our homes. We need help to start over,” said a Ghonewal resident, echoing the sentiments of many.

As Punjab battles the long-term consequences of the floods, Gandhi’s visit has sparked discussions about the need for sustainable flood management and stronger disaster preparedness. With more rainfall forecast in the region, the state remains on high alert, and political leaders across party lines are under pressure to deliver effective solutions for the affected communities.

Also Read: Ex-CEC Questions Election Commission’s Response to Gandhi’s Complaints