In a letter addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh has requested for the assistance of Rs. 1000 crores to deal with the flood situation of the state. The Minister sought the amount as a special relief package for dealing with the flood crisis that has created a havoc in the state.
Have requested PM @narendramodi ji to release an immediate package of Rs. 1000 crore as well as to issue necessary instructions to waive off crop loans availed by affected farmers by way of relief for the losses suffered by the State due to the recent floods. pic.twitter.com/ANTm6Jx3Rr
— Capt.Amarinder Singh (@capt_amarinder) August 21, 2019
On the inputs provided by IMD (Indian Meteorological Department), Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh had declared a warning of high alert on Friday across the state. He had also directed his officials to stay in their headquarters for dealing with the contingency and instructed field officers of Revenue, Drainage, Health, Food, and Animal Husbandry Departments to stay on alert.
To assess the situation at ground-level, Amarinder Singh has been monitoring the survey of flooded areas extensively. Dry rations, parantha packets, and water bottles are being supplied to the ones stranded in this tough situation.
Did the aerial survey of Nawanshahr, Ludhiana, Phillaur, Shahkot & Lohian. A total of 30,000 people are impacted & crop damage reported in 108 villages. There are 14 breaches in Satluj. Considering the seriousness of the breaches Army's help has been sought. pic.twitter.com/v3R7zYJswL
— Capt.Amarinder Singh (@capt_amarinder) August 22, 2019
Punjab is under the flood condition because of heavy discharge of water from Bhakra Dam. The opening of floodgates led to the overflow of water in Sutlej river that damaged the standing crops and flooded the villages. The discharge is said to be the heaviest and most furious since 1958. Ropar, Ludhiana, Jalandhar, and Kapurthala are one of the worst-affected areas in the state. Around 1.20 lakh acres of standing crop have been submerged underwater.
Punjab administration has already taken the note of serious circumstances and declared it as a natural calamity in certain regions. Army has been providing its services in the rescue operations.
In his letter, Amarinder Singh had also requested Narendra Modi to direct the concerned agencies to let go of the farmer’s loan (for present cropping season) who have been affected by the disaster.
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