15,688 evacuated, 7,144 sheltered in relief camps: Hardeep Singh Mundian

Punjab Revenue, Rehabilitation and Disaster Management Minister Hardeep Singh Mundian on Monday said that incessant rains and floods have wreaked havoc across the state, causing extensive damage to lives, property, crops, livestock and infrastructure. He added that the state government is working round-the-clock to provide immediate relief to those affected.

Giving details of the evacuation and relief measures, Mundian said Punjab continues to battle the flood situation with large-scale operations underway in the affected districts. As per district reports, 15,688 people have been evacuated so far. The largest evacuations were carried out in Gurdaspur (5,549), Ferozepur (3,321), Fazilka (2,049), Pathankot (1,139), Amritsar (1,700) and Hoshiarpur (1,052). Smaller numbers were reported from Barnala (25), Kapurthala (515), Tarn Taran (60), Moga (115) and Mansa (163).

The minister said 129 relief camps have been set up across Punjab to shelter displaced families. These include 16 active camps in Amritsar, 10 in Fazilka, 8 in Ferozepur, 25 in Gurdaspur, 20 in Hoshiarpur, 14 in Pathankot, 20 in Patiala, besides others in Barnala, Kapurthala, Mansa, Moga and Sangrur. Currently, 7,144 persons are housed in these camps, with the highest numbers in Ferozepur (3,987), Fazilka (1,201), Hoshiarpur (478), Pathankot (411) and Gurdaspur (424).

A total of 1,044 villages across 12 districts have been affected. Gurdaspur is the worst hit with 321 villages, followed by Kapurthala (115), Hoshiarpur (94), Amritsar (88), Pathankot (82), Ferozepur (76) and Fazilka (72).

As per reports from deputy commissioners, 2,56,107 people have been impacted by floods across the state. The highest impact has been recorded in Gurdaspur (1,45,000), followed by Amritsar (35,000), Ferozepur (24,015), Fazilka (21,562) and Pathankot (15,053). Other affected districts include SAS Nagar (7,000), Kapurthala (5,650), Hoshiarpur (1,152), Jalandhar (653), Moga (800), Mansa (163) and Barnala (59).

On deployment of forces, Mundian said the NDRF has positioned 20 teams across Punjab — six each in Gurdaspur and Amritsar, three each in Ferozepur and Fazilka, one each in Pathankot and Bathinda. The Army, Air Force and Navy have deployed 10 columns with 8 on standby, along with 2 engineer columns. Around 35 helicopters of the Indian Air Force and Indian Army have also been pressed into service. BSF units are providing additional ground support. For rescue efforts, 114 boats and one state helicopter have been deployed.

The floods have so far claimed 29 lives across 12 districts between August 1 and September 1, with Pathankot (6) recording the highest casualties. Other deaths were reported from Amritsar (3), Barnala (3), Hoshiarpur (3), Ludhiana (3), Mansa (3), Rupnagar (3), and one each in Bathinda, Gurdaspur, Patiala, SAS Nagar and Sangrur. Three persons remain missing in Pathankot.

Agriculture has suffered massive losses, with 94,061 hectares of crop area inundated. Amritsar (23,000 hectares), Mansa (17,005 hectares), Kapurthala (14,934 hectares), Tarn Taran (11,883 hectares) and Ferozepur (11,232 hectares) are the worst affected.

Mundian said relief distribution is ongoing across districts, while medical teams are attending to the health needs of affected populations. He added that livestock and infrastructure losses cannot yet be assessed and will be calculated once the floodwaters recede.

Assuring government support, he said the Bhagwant Singh Mann-led administration is committed to providing immediate relief and long-term rehabilitation. All deputy commissioners have been directed to complete loss assessments at the earliest so that timely compensation can be provided.