Is Punjab Facing an Unprecedented Flood Crisis? Harbhajan Singh Alerts PM Modi
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Synopsis
Amid ongoing rainfall, Punjab faces dire flooding conditions, prompting cricketer Harbhajan Singh to alert PM Modi for urgent intervention. Countless farmers are suffering devastating losses, with their crops destroyed, and the state requires immediate support for rescue and relief operations. Will the government respond in time to safeguard the livelihoods of Punjab's farmers?
Key Takeaways
- Punjab is experiencing severe flooding due to heavy rains.
- Farmers are suffering significant crop losses.
- Immediate government intervention is needed for rescue and relief.
- Criticism of inadequate water management by the Union government.
- Communities are facing food security challenges.
Chandigarh, Aug 31 (NationPress) As moderate to heavy rainfall persists in Punjab on Sunday, cricketer-turned-politician Harbhajan Singh has informed Prime Minister Narendra Modi about the critical situation developing in the state due to severe flooding.
“Numerous villages are profoundly impacted, and a significant number of farmers (kisans) are enduring substantial losses as their standing crops have been devastated. For a state renowned as the food bowl of India, this calamity has plunged the populace into distress, leaving them without food security and their livelihoods in ruins,” stated the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)'s Rajya Sabha MP Singh on X.
In this urgent moment, he emphasized that Punjab “requires the immediate backing of the Central government. We urge for prompt action to initiate rescue and relief measures, incorporating the Army and the NDRF wherever necessary, to provide emergency food supplies, shelter, and medical assistance to those impacted, and to ensure financial and agricultural aid for farmers who have suffered crop losses.”
Just a day prior, state Water Resources Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal criticized the Union government, attributing the exacerbation of Punjab's worst flood in 37 years to its actions.
The Minister remarked to the media that timely water releases by the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) in June could have significantly lessened the destruction.
He expressed concern that, while countless individuals in Punjab continue to suffer, the Prime Minister has yet to make any statement regarding the crisis, let alone offer any assistance to the state.
Addressing his concerns over Haryana’s actions, the Minister accused the state of sending letters offering aid while simultaneously indicating that Punjab should be left to face the floods alone by reducing Haryana's water flow share during this monsoon from 7,900 cusecs to 6,250 cusecs to safeguard its canal systems and population, thus abandoning Punjab.
He stated that despite repeated appeals, the BBMB failed to release sufficient water from dams in June, which could have alleviated the flood effects in Punjab.
Minister Goyal also pointed out that ongoing heavy rain in Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir, combined with the influx of water from ‘khuds’ and ‘nullahs’ into the regulated discharge from the state’s rivers, is resulting in one of the most catastrophic floods in its history, far surpassing the devastating floods of 1988.
He noted that although only 2.15 lakh cusecs of water were released into the Ravi River from the Ranjit Sagar Dam, the additional flow from neighboring states’ ‘khuds’ and ‘nullahs’ has transformed the situation into widespread destruction.
Point of View
It is vital to approach the situation with empathy and urgency. The alarming reports of floods impacting farmers and communities underscore the need for prompt action from both state and central authorities. With timely intervention, it is possible to mitigate the damage and protect the livelihoods of those affected, reaffirming our commitment to national solidarity.
NationPress
01/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is causing the floods in Punjab?
The floods in Punjab are primarily caused by moderate to heavy rainfall, along with the convergence of water from adjacent states and inadequate water management by the Bhakra Beas Management Board.
How are farmers affected by the floods?
Farmers are facing significant losses as their standing crops have been destroyed, putting their livelihoods and food security at severe risk.
What assistance is being requested from the government?
The government is being urged to deploy rescue and relief operations, provide emergency supplies, shelter, medical aid, and financial support for farmers who have lost their crops.
Why did the Minister criticize the Union government?
The Minister criticized the Union government for its failure to manage water releases which could have mitigated the flood's impact, leading to unprecedented devastation.
What are 'khuds' and 'nullahs'?
'Khuds' and 'nullahs' are seasonal streams or channels that can contribute to flooding when heavy rainfall occurs, leading to increased water flow into rivers.
