The North News
Beas (Amritsar), August 28
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Thursday directed Deputy Commissioners in flood-affected districts to intensify relief and rescue operations and ensure stranded families receive food, water, shelter and medical support. Mann, who toured several inundated areas, said the floods had caused unprecedented damage to crops, homes, livestock and public infrastructure. He assured residents that the government would provide “all possible assistance” and stressed that funds had already been allocated to districts, with more to follow if needed.
“The state government is duty-bound to stand with people in this hour of crisis, and no stone will be left unturned,” the Chief Minister said.
Mann instructed officials to conduct evacuation on a “war footing” and to mobilise resources across departments. He said the Animal Husbandry Department had been asked to prioritise fodder and medicines for livestock, while the Health Department must maintain stockpiles of medicines to prevent outbreaks of water-borne diseases. He also announced that a special girdawari (field survey) would be conducted once waters recede to assess losses and ensure compensation. “Every single penny of loss will be compensated,” he said.
Emphasising that “human life is most important,” Mann said breaches were being plugged and waterlogged areas drained as quickly as possible. He appealed to the public not to panic, insisting that ministers, MLAs and senior officials were deployed across affected districts to supervise operations.
“This is a natural calamity, and it will be overcome with the collective support of people and government. The state stands firmly with its citizens in this time of distress,” the Chief Minister said.
