At least 30 people have died and more than 350,000 have been affected after heavy rains caused floods in the north Indian state of Punjab. Authorities have declared 23 districts of the state as flood-hit.
More than 1400 villages are underwater, and nearly 20,000 people have been evacuated from their homes. There are relief camps which have been set up to provide shelter, food, and basic facilities to the people who are forced to leave their homes. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann called this the worst flooding since 1988 and appealed for the country to support Punjab in this crisis.
Crops And Livelihoods Under Threat
Punjab, which is often called the food basket of India, is one of the country’s biggest producers of wheat and rice. Officials said nearly 148,000 hectares of Hector farm land have been damaged, raising some serious concerns for farmers and rural families dependent on agriculture for daily survival.Â
Many people who live near the river are staying awake at night to watch the rising water levels. A villager told a reporter that the water is high, the dam is leaking, and wherever it breaks, we try to fix it with sacks.
Rescue Efforts And Government Response
The army, Air Force, Navy, and disaster response. Teams are working together on rescue operations. More than 135 helicopters have been deployed to move people and provide them with supplies. In Ludhiana and other cities, water has entered homes, damaging furniture and belongings. The chief minister visited Ferozpur by boat and said the situation was very serious and asked the federal government for emergency funds.
India’s weather agency said the floods are the result of strong monsoon currents, combining with a Westerly disturbance, spring, and unusually heavy rain in North India. The floods have also affected Pakistan’s Punjab area, where around 2 million people are struggling with similar conditions.
FAQs
- How many people have died in the Punjab floods?
At least 30 people have lost their lives in the Punjab floods.Â
- How many villages are affected by the Punjab floods?Â
Around 1400 villages have been submerged in the floodwater till now.
- What is the impact on farming?
Over 148,000 acres of crops have been damaged.
- Who is helping the rescue work in Punjab?
The navy, army, air force and disaster response. Teams are part of the operation.
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