Punjab Floods: Mann Govt Rescues 5 Lakh Animals with Relief Aid

Chandigarh:The floods that struck Punjab spared no one — not humans, not their dreams, and not even the voiceless animals. Over 1,400 villages were submerged, affecting 3.5 lakh people, but amid this devastation, an extraordinary chapter of compassion unfolded. The Mann government, aided by countless brave citizens, risked lives to rescue animals trapped in floodwaters, ensuring that the voiceless too were not left behind.

When the Sutlej and Beas rivers swelled at the end of August, more than 15 lakh animals were caught in the rising waters. Their cries echoed across submerged villages. According to Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development and Fisheries Minister S. Gurmeet Singh Khuddian, 481 veterinary teams — each comprising a veterinary officer, an inspector/pharmacist, and support staff — were deployed on the ground.

For dairy farmer Gurchan Singh of Pamma village in Pathankot, the rescue was life-changing. “I thought I had lost everything when I saw my 12 buffaloes standing in muddy water. But then I saw boats arriving not just for us humans, but also for my animals,” he recalled. His story mirrors thousands of others — nearly 22,534 animals were treated and saved during the crisis.

Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, despite health concerns of his own, issued clear instructions: “No living being, whether human or animal, will be left behind.” This directive transformed the relief operations into a comprehensive life-saving mission. Cabinet Minister Hardeep Singh Mundian oversaw animal welfare operations, ensuring veterinary teams reached villages. In Fazilka, 5,000 bags of animal feed were distributed along with human rations.

Civil society too stepped in. The Kalgidhar Trust reached 125 villages, supporting 5,000 people and their livestock with fodder. The government, meanwhile, distributed 12,170 quintals of feed and 5,090 quintals of fodder across affected districts. Efforts also focused on boosting animal immunity against waterborne diseases.

The numbers speak volumes: more than 5.16 lakh animals were saved. Modern tools such as drones helped identify stranded cattle on rooftops, while boats navigated narrow village lanes to reach cowsheds and buffalo pens. Many animals were relocated to safer grounds.

In Fazilka, one rescue stood out. Among 38 deployed medical teams, AAP leader Dr. Amarjeet Kaur described finding a cow shielding her newborn calf after being trapped for three days. “When we lifted them onto the boat, our team members had tears in their eyes. At that moment, I felt we were doing truly meaningful work,” she said.

Yet, the disaster left scars. Across 14 districts including Pathankot, Gurdaspur, Amritsar, Ferozepur, Fazilka, Kapurthala, Bathinda and Moga, 504 cattle and buffaloes, 73 sheep and goats, 160 pigs and over 18,000 poultry birds perished. In total, nearly 2.52 lakh animals and 5.88 lakh poultry birds were affected.

Still, the government refused to abandon anyone. Special drainage systems cleared 1,000 acres of waterlogged land to create safe shelters for livestock. Principal Secretary Animal Husbandry Rahul Bhandari confirmed that ₹31.50 lakh had been released for animal treatment. Control rooms were set up at the state (0172-5086064) and district levels for 24x7 response.

Rural Development Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond said distribution of animal feed alongside human rations reflected the government’s belief that “all living beings are family.” Veterinary teams not only treated illnesses but also restored hope for farmers who had seen decades of work swept away in days.

The 2025 Punjab floods will be remembered not just as a natural disaster, but as a decisive moment when the Mann government and the people of Punjab proved that true leadership means protecting every heartbeat — human or animal. In those dark days, Punjab reminded the world that compassion has no limits. Saving the voiceless was not just about animals — it was about saving our shared humanity.