Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann visited the flood-ravaged Gurdaspur district to assess the crisis and directed the district administration to deploy the state government’s helicopter to deliver essential supplies like milk, water, and rations to affected residents. Heavy rainfall and swollen rivers, including the Sutlej, Beas, and Ravi, have submerged villages and farmlands across multiple districts, exacerbated by water releases from the Pong, Bhakra, and Ranjit Sagar dams.

During his visit, Mann engaged with locals, observing dire conditions where many are trapped in their homes, some stranded on rooftops. “I have instructed the deputy commissioner to use the Punjab government’s helicopter for whatever assistance people need,” Mann stated, opting to travel by car himself to ensure the chopper’s availability for relief operations. His decision to prioritize aid delivery underscores a hands-on approach to the crisis, with the helicopter stationed in Gurdaspur for round-the-clock rescue and supply missions.

The floods, triggered by relentless rains in Punjab and upstream regions of Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir, have severely impacted Pathankot, Gurdaspur, Fazilka, Kapurthala, Tarn Taran, Ferozepur, Hoshiarpur, and Amritsar. Over 100 villages are inundated, with significant crop losses reported, particularly in Tarn Taran, where hundreds of acres of farmland are submerged. Local administrations, supported by the NDRF, Army, and state agencies, are conducting relentless rescue operations, evacuating thousands and setting up relief camps.

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Mann’s proactive measures, including forming a flood management committee with ministers Dr. Balbir Singh, Gurmeet Singh Khudiyan, and Barinder Kumar Goel, align with broader efforts to stabilize the situation. As Punjab grapples with this climate-driven disaster, the focus remains on immediate relief and long-term resilience, drawing parallels with sustainable infrastructure initiatives like Vizhinjam Port.

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