PM Calls Punjab CM Amid Catastrophic Floods
Prime Minister Narendra Modi instantly called Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Monday after he returned from his China tour to address the acute flooding in the state. Government sources added that Modi assured Mann of all available support to enable the crisis management. The contents of their call are yet to be disclosed completely.
Floods Cause Havoc Throughout Punjab
At least 29 persons have lost their lives as rains flooded more than 1,000 villages in ten districts, displacing over 2.5 lakh citizens. Hoshiarpur district was the most affected, and CM Mann rushed to the district to seek early release of ₹60,000 crore in state funds being kept by the central government. Mann assured compensation for losses of every citizen, while Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema rebuked the Centre for supposedly turning a blind eye to the disaster.
August rains have been unprecedented, with Punjab registering 253.7 mm 74% higher than usual and the highest in 25 years and causing panic that the 1988 floods-like situation, which killed at least 600 people, would be repeated. Schools in the state are still closed until September 3 as a precautionary measure.
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Central Government Steps In
Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan is to visit Punjab shortly to take stock of crop damage and coordinate relief operations. Chouhan met officials in detail to examine rainfall data and how it has affected agriculture. Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has asked the Centre and the Punjab government to speed up help and ensure that compensation reaches families hit by floods. She also called on party workers to extend direct assistance to the needy.
The authorities are in a hurry to extend relief, restore infrastructure, and protect livelihoods. Local units and officials are tracking water levels and streamlining rescue and relief operations to bring stranded communities to safety. The state government is still working in coordination with central agencies to organize an efficient response to the continuing crisis.
