How Are Flood-Hit Farmers in Punjab Grateful to PM Modi for His Support?

Pathankot, Sep 12 (NationPress) Following the catastrophic floods that have devastated Punjab, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has offered assurance to farmers in the border village of Thinda that they will be reimbursed for every grain lost due to this calamity. During his visit to the severely affected regions, PM Modi engaged with residents and village leaders, providing both comfort and significant aid.

In Thinda, floodwaters surged to alarming heights, submerging homes by 4 to 5 feet. Fields that once flourished with wheat and paddy are now buried beneath layers of silt and sand, leaving a path of destruction and hopelessness. However, amidst this ruin, a spark of hope arose as PM Modi listened to the villagers' concerns directly.

Rajinder Singh, the Sarpanch of Thinda, shared his experience meeting the Prime Minister, describing the interaction as both comforting and personal.

"He conversed with me in Punjabi. It felt less like I was speaking to the nation’s highest leader and more like an elder of the family was addressing my issues. The Prime Minister assured complete compensation for every grain lost and committed to swift relief for the agricultural community," he remarked.

Joginder Singh, a local farmer, voiced his profound anxiety over the devastation.

"My paddy crop has been destroyed, and the soil is rendered unsuitable for the next wheat planting due to the thick clay left behind. Our Sarpanch directly communicated with the Prime Minister. We trust his commitment and have faith that our losses will be addressed," he stated.

Another farmer, Surinder Singh, underscored the extent of the devastation.

"The floodwaters have obliterated our crops. However, the Prime Minister’s declaration of Rs 1,600 crore for the flood-affected areas of Punjab instills hope in us. We are optimistic that we will not be forsaken," he added.

This visit signifies the Prime Minister’s dedication to aiding the flood-stricken state. Alongside the previously allocated Rs 12,000 crore for Punjab, the Centre on Tuesday announced an additional Rs 1,600 crore in immediate relief. Furthermore, families of the deceased will receive Rs 2 lakh in compensation, while those severely injured will be granted Rs 50,000.

PM Modi highlighted the Centre’s determination to support Punjab throughout this crisis, recognizing the seriousness of the situation and ensuring that all efforts will be made towards recovery and rehabilitation.

The state, grappling with its most severe floods since 1988, has witnessed rivers Sutlej, Beas, and Ravi overflow due to continuous rainfall in their upper catchment areas in Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir. Local streams and additional rainfall within Punjab further exacerbated the crisis. The state government has estimated losses exceeding Rs 13,000 crore due to the floods that have devastated the region.