Punjab floods: Over 11,000 people rescued, 4,729 in relief camps

Relief operations in flood-hit Punjab have been ramped up, as 4,711 people were evacuated to safety during the past 24 hours, according to state authorities. The rescues include 812 individuals from Firozpur, 2,571 from Gurdaspur, four from Moga, 60 from Tarn Taran, 25 from Barnala, and 1,239 from Fazilka.

Since the onset of the floods, a total of 11,330 people have been rescued from nine affected districts, including 2,819 from Firozpur, 1,052 from Hoshiarpur, 240 from Kapurthala, 4,771 from Gurdaspur, 24 from Moga, 1,100 from Pathankot, 60 from Tarn Taran, 25 from Barnala, and 1,239 from Fazilka.

Currently, 77 of the 87 established relief camps are operational, providing shelter to 4,729 individuals. These camps are spread across the affected districts, with Kapurthala hosting 110 people in 4 camps, Firozpur accommodating 3,450 in 8 camps, Hoshiarpur sheltering 478 in 20 camps, Gurdaspur housing 255 in 12 camps, Pathankot supporting 411 in 14 camps, and Barnala aiding 25 in one camp. Additional camps are operational in Fazilka (11), Moga (5), and Amritsar (2). The administration is ensuring comprehensive care for all camp residents.

Relief material distribution is ongoing in severely affected districts, including Kapurthala, Firozpur, Gurdaspur, Moga, Pathankot, Fazilka, and Barnala. Supplies were distributed in Kapurthala on August 15, 27, 28, and 29, with plans to continue as needed.

The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Punjab Police, and the Indian Army are working tirelessly alongside local communities. NDRF teams are deployed in Gurdaspur (7 teams), Fazilka (1), Firozpur (1), and Pathankot (2), while SDRF teams are active in Kapurthala (2). The Army, Border Security Force (BSF), and Air Force are also assisting in Kapurthala, Gurdaspur, Firozpur, and Pathankot, with civil administration and police providing extensive support.

The floods have impacted 1,018 villages across Punjab, including 81 in Pathankot, 52 in Fazilka, 45 in Tarn Taran, 64 in Sri Muktsar Sahib, 22 in Sangrur, 101 in Firozpur, 107 in Kapurthala, 323 in Gurdaspur, 85 in Hoshiarpur, and 35 in Moga.

Significant agricultural losses have been reported, with crops damaged across 16,632 hectares in Fazilka, 10,806 hectares in Firozpur, 11,620 hectares in Kapurthala, 7,000 hectares in Pathankot, 9,928 hectares in Tarn Taran, and 5,287 hectares in Hoshiarpur. Livestock losses have further compounded the economic toll on the state.