Harbhajan Singh Urges Central Government for Flood Relief in Punjab

Severe Flooding in Punjab: A Call for Urgent Action

Chandigarh: As heavy rainfall persists in Punjab, former cricketer and current politician Harbhajan Singh has reached out to Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding the dire situation caused by severe flooding in the region.

Singh expressed his concerns on social media, stating, "Numerous villages are facing significant challenges, and many farmers are experiencing devastating losses due to the destruction of their crops. This crisis has left the people of Punjab, known as India's food bowl, in a state of distress, jeopardizing their food security and livelihoods."

He emphasized the urgent need for the Central government's assistance, calling for immediate action to initiate rescue and relief efforts, including the deployment of the Army and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) where necessary. Singh also urged for the provision of emergency food supplies, shelter, medical aid, and financial support for farmers affected by the floods.

On the previous day, Punjab's Water Resources Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal criticized the Union government, attributing the worsening flood situation to its actions, marking it as the worst flood in the state in 37 years.

Goyal pointed out that timely water management by the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) in June could have significantly mitigated the damage.

He expressed frustration that, despite the ongoing suffering of countless individuals in Punjab, the Prime Minister has not addressed the crisis or offered any assistance.

The Minister raised concerns about Haryana's contradictory stance, noting that while it offers help, it has also reduced Punjab's water flow during the monsoon season to protect its own canal systems, effectively leaving Punjab to face the floods alone.

Goyal explained that heavy rains in Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir, combined with water runoff from local streams, have led to one of the most catastrophic floods in Punjab's history, surpassing even the devastating floods of 1988.

He highlighted that although only 2.15 lakh cusecs of water were released into the Ravi River from the Ranjit Sagar Dam, the additional influx from surrounding areas has resulted in widespread destruction.