Punjab has declared itself a disaster-hit state as severe floods affect seven districts, submerging over 1,200 villages and impacting nearly 3.75 lakh acres of farmland.
Punjab has officially declared itself a disaster-hit state in response to relentless monsoon rains, the release of water from dams, and swollen rivers that have left the region struggling to cope. While all 23 districts have experienced the effects of the severe weather, seven districts—Ferozepur, Gurdaspur, Hoshiarpur, Jalandhar, Kapurthala, Rupnagar, and Tarn Taran—are facing particularly severe flooding, which has devastated more than 1,200 villages.
In an official order, Chief Secretary KAP Sinha, who leads the State Executive Committee under the Disaster Management Act of 2005, invoked Section 24 of the law. This action empowers Deputy Commissioners to exercise their authority under Section 34 to manage the crisis effectively. The order described the current situation as “one of the worst disasters in decades” and instructed various departments to respond with urgency.
The state government has reported that nearly 3.75 lakh acres of farmland, predominantly paddy, are submerged in flood-affected areas, resulting in the loss of crops just weeks before harvest. The situation has been exacerbated by large-scale livestock deaths, deepening the rural crisis and severely impacting households that rely heavily on dairy and animal husbandry for their livelihoods.
All District Disaster Management Authorities have been directed to implement prompt relief measures. Line departments are required to ensure that staff are available around the clock to address the ongoing crisis. The Public Works Department, Water Resources Department, and Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) have been tasked with urgently restoring essential services. Additionally, telecom providers have been instructed to maintain uninterrupted connectivity, while local bodies, including Panchayati Raj Institutions and civic agencies, are responsible for carrying out evacuation, relief, and restoration operations.
By declaring itself a disaster-hit state, Punjab has activated state-level disaster management protocols, which allows for the mobilization of the State Disaster Response Fund and sets the stage for potential central assistance if necessary. With the monsoon season still active and more rainfall anticipated, the state government has cautioned that conditions may worsen in the coming days.
According to The Sunday Guardian, the situation remains critical as authorities work to mitigate the impact of this unprecedented disaster.
Source: Original article