Chandigarh, Sept 22: As Punjab grappling with its worst flood in nearly four decades, leaving over 700,000 people homeless and submerging 2,300 villages with the calamity affecting over 2 million residents, destroyed nearly 500,000 acres of crops, around 3,200 government schools amd preliminary estimated putting financial losses at ₹13,800 crore, Punjab government’s Mission Chardhi Kala held the region strongly like bridging Torn ropes.
For residents like 45-year-old Veero Bai of Guddar Bhaini village in Fazilka district, the disaster was swift and devastating. “We had to leave behind everything, big and small, when the Satluj waters gushed into our house and rose three feet high,” she said. Since August 26, Veero Bai has been living in a relief camp, uncertain when she will return home.
Fifty-six lives have been lost, and countless families remain scattered in temporary shelters. The flood not only swept away homes and livelihoods but also countless dreams, with children’s education disrupted and months of farmers’ labor destroyed overnight.
In response, the Punjab government, under Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, has mobilized relief and rescue operations across affected areas. Relief camps have been established, and food, medicine, and emergency supplies are being distributed to those in need. Officials and frontline workers have risked their lives to reach stranded communities, demonstrating the state’s commitment to its citizens.
Chief Minister Mann described the crisis as more than a natural disaster, saying, “The flood didn’t just bring water, it carried away millions of dreams.” To restore hope, the government has launched “Mission Chardhi Kala,” an initiative aimed at rebuilding homes, reuniting families, and reviving communities.
The campaign emphasizes the importance of public support alongside government efforts. Every contribution, large or small, is framed as a tangible act of solidarity. “Even a single rupee can become someone’s ray of hope. It could send a child back to school, help a mother restore her kitchen, or provide medicine to an elderly man,” the Chief Minister noted.
Under “Mission Chardhi Kala,” a comprehensive reconstruction plan is underway, focusing on both immediate relief and long-term recovery. Authorities are urging citizens to join in the effort, reflecting the principle of Punjabiyat—community solidarity and resilience in the face of adversity.
The flood’s destruction has been immense, but the spirit of the state remains unbroken. As Mann said, “Natural disasters are never easy to fight, but together, we can rebuild stronger and restore the dreams that were swept away.”
With over 700,000 people still homeless, the call is clear: public participation is crucial to ensuring that relief efforts reach everyone. Through “Mission Chardhi Kala,” Punjab aims not only to restore buildings and livelihoods but also to reaffirm the enduring values of empathy, unity, and hope.
