What Steps is SAD Taking to Address Punjab's Flood Crisis?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Shiromani Akali Dal has called an urgent meeting to address flood relief.
- Over 400,000 people have been affected by the floods.
- Initial damage estimates exceed Rs 13,000 crore.
- Grassroots efforts are underway to assist affected communities.
- Support for the agricultural sector is urgently needed.
Chandigarh, Sep 7 (NationPress) The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) has convened an urgent meeting on Monday in Chandigarh to evaluate the escalating flood crisis in Punjab and formulate a plan to support those impacted by this disaster.
This gathering, led by SAD President Sukhbir Singh Badal at the party headquarters, will assess the extensive damages across various districts and finalize the party's collective response.
In a post on X, senior SAD member and former Punjab Education Minister Daljit Singh Cheema remarked, "The President of the Shiromani Akali Dal, S. Sukhbir Singh Badal, has called for an emergency meeting of all District Presidents and Assembly in-charges tomorrow at 2 p.m. in Chandigarh's party headquarters."
"The party aims to gather insights from leaders regarding the losses experienced by communities throughout Punjab and will devise a plan to aid those in need during this challenging time," Cheema added.
He also mentioned that the party's grassroots workers are already active in the areas affected by floods, yet emphasized that the severity of the situation necessitates an increase in efforts.
"Our members are diligently working on the ground, but given the scale of the issue, we will amplify our actions after receiving on-site reports," he noted.
Punjab has been struggling with floods for several weeks, leading to widespread devastation across the state.
Initial evaluations indicate that Punjab has incurred damages exceeding Rs 13,000 crore due to the floods that began on August 17.
The destruction has severely affected homes, crops, and infrastructure across numerous districts, with authorities still assessing the full extent of the devastation.
The relentless rainfall in Punjab and neighboring hilly regions has caused extensive damage, impacting nearly 2,000 villages across all districts.
Over 400,000 individuals have been affected, with 43 fatalities reported across 14 districts. The agricultural sector has been hit hard, with 1,72,000 hectares of farmland ruined across 18 districts.
Moreover, infrastructure, residences, and livestock have faced significant losses.