Punjab fully prepared for floods, no need to panic: Dr. Balbir Singh

Punjab Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. Balbir Singh assured residents that there is no need to worry about floods during the monsoon season, stating that the Punjab government has made comprehensive flood-preparedness arrangements through coordinated efforts of all concerned departments. Addressing a press conference in Patiala, the minister said authorities are closely monitoring the Ghaggar River and other major rivers and drains, while preventive measures such as strengthening embankments, desilting river channels, and increasing water-carrying capacity have already been completed.

Dr. Singh said the Health Department has also intensified preparations to tackle waterborne and vector-borne diseases, including dengue, chikungunya, diarrhoea, and hepatitis. A total of 881 Rapid Response Teams have been deployed across the state, and a 104 health helpline has been activated to handle medical emergencies during the monsoon. To strengthen healthcare preparedness, the department has reserved 1,200 beds in government hospitals for dengue patients, increased dengue testing tenfold, and conducted 30,000 tests at Aam Aadmi Clinics alone. Under the Chief Minister’s Health Scheme, dengue treatment and platelet kits worth ₹12,000 are being provided free of cost. The minister said 2,300 joint teams, supported by 1,500 breeding checkers, 38,122 trained nursing students, and 20,515 ASHA workers, have inspected nearly 5.3 million homes, eliminating dengue larvae in over 11,000 households. Real-time monitoring of all preventive measures is also underway.

Responding to a question regarding Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s proposed visit to Punjab on July 17, Dr. Balbir Singh urged the Centre to end what he described as discrimination against the state and release pending funds, including flood relief announced for last year, rural development funds, and reduced allocations for the Health and Family Welfare Department. Earlier, the minister chaired a high-level review meeting with Deputy Commissioner Dr. Himanshu Aggarwal and officials from various departments to assess flood preparedness. The Deputy Commissioner confirmed that Patiala district has completed all necessary flood-control arrangements, with dedicated control rooms operating round the clock and a WhatsApp helpline to be launched soon.