Chandigarh, September 7 — Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, who is currently admitted to Fortis Hospital, has been personally overseeing flood relief and rescue operations from his hospital bed, officials said Saturday.
Despite being under treatment, the Chief Minister held a meeting with Chief Secretary K.A.P. Sinha, Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav and senior officers to review the ongoing efforts in flood-affected districts. Mann directed that no affected person should be left without assistance. “Ensure food, clean drinking water and medical aid reach every citizen, particularly those stranded and cut off from the mainland,” he instructed during the meeting.
Following the review, Chief Secretary Sinha said the Chief Minister is recovering well and is expected to be discharged within the next two days. “Although he is in hospital, his thoughts are firmly with the thousands of families battling the floods. The government stands united to heal the wounds of the calamity and rebuild every broken home,” Sinha noted.
Officials briefed the Chief Minister that the floods have displaced more than 387,898 people, affecting over 2 million residents in 2,050 villages spread across 23 districts. The government has evacuated 22,938 people from the worst-hit areas and set up 219 relief camps, where 5,404 individuals are currently being accommodated.
The floods have also taken a heavy toll on agriculture, damaging 176,980 hectares of crop land. Authorities confirmed that 48 people have died in flood-related incidents so far, while three remain missing in Pathankot district.
The Chief Minister, according to officials, reiterated that the administration’s foremost duty is to safeguard lives and provide timely relief. “Every effort must be made to bring comfort to those who have suffered due to this natural disaster,” he said, adding that the state machinery will continue its operations until normalcy is restored.
